← Drop Dead Serious With Ashleigh Banfield
Drop Dead Serious With Ashleigh Banfield
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Wendy Williams Calls In & Drops New Bombshells
00:53:40
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- [00:00]
Wendy Williams
Get the Angel REEF Special at McDonald's. Now let's break it down.
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Ashley Banfield
My favorite barbecue sauce, American cheese, crispy bacon, pickles, onions and a sesame seed bun, of course. And don't forget the fries and a drink.
- [00:12]
Wendy Williams
Sound good?
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Gina
I participate in restaurants for a limited time.
- [00:16]
Ameca Insurance Representative
At Ameca Insurance we know it's more than just a house. It's your home. The place that's filled with memories. The early days of figuring it out to the later years of still figuring it out. For the place you've put down roots. Trust Amica Home Insurance. Ameca Empathy is our best policy.
- [00:51]
Ashley Banfield
Hey, welcome to Drop Dead Serious. I'm Ashley Banfield and today I've got something super special. Little known fact, in the 37 years that I've been doing television journalism, I've made some super neat friends in the business. One of them I count as Wendy Williams. I've been on her show a couple of times. I was a fill in host for her at one point. I've done some public charity work with her and always really liked her. She's just my really wild sort of pal, you know. She always lived a very wild life. And I think as you probably know, Wendy has had a really bad last few years because banking issues and financial abuse led to Wells Fargo bank requesting a judge to put her under a financial conservatorship, which meant that her assets and funds were frozen from anybody who might have been helping themselves. There were lots of headlines that it was her son Kevin and maybe family members who were doing things they shouldn't have done financially. I think Wendy is acknowledging that now. Um, but I've got an interview with Wendy. She has called me from the facility where she is locked up virtually as a luxury prisoner as she puts it. She has no freedom of movement, she can't even go down an elevator. And told me today that even shampoo and lotion has to be brought to her if she wants it. Let me give you just a brief overview of everything that Wende has been through starting with like March of 2022, temporary financial guardian was put in place. Sabrina Morrissey is her name. She was appointed by Wendy or for Wendy Williams by a judge. Again because of the Wells Fargo financial abuses that were happening on her her accounts. In May of 2022, the court confirmed Sabrina Morrissey as the permanent financial Guardian. Then in 2023, Wendy was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia and primary progressive aphasia. In February of 2024, that blockbuster docu series where is Wendy Williams? Dropped and you? I Mean, the Internet broke and everybody went bananas over what they thought they saw was just a, a devastating version of Wendy Williams. It was on Lifetime. Wendy's guardian, Sabrina Morrissey was in it. She actually ended up filing a lawsuit against A and E Television networks because of the story that was told. Her claim was that that was not what the project was presented as. A and E says something completely different that not at all. And Sabrina, you were a part of it. And then, and she, she says that this exploited Wendy's condition. So there's that suit still going. November of 2024, legal documents described Wendy as cognitively impaired, permanently disabled, and legally incapacitated. December 19, 2024, Wendy attended her son Kevin Hunter Jr. S college graduation at Florida International University in Miami. February 5th of 2025, Wendy denied having dementia during an interview on the Breakfast Club, stating, I don't have frontotemporal dementia. I am not incapacitated. Then February 5th this year, following Wendy's denial, Sabrina Morrissey came out publicly and requested a new mental evaluation to reassess Wendy's cognitive state. February 12, Wendy signed legal documents seeking to end her guardianship again. February 12, TMZ presents Saving Wendy, a docu series premiered on Tubi. This is where we first saw Wendy on camera. Remember those pictures? She was way up on her fifth floor residence. You know, it's sort of like a, a facility, locked residence. And she was standing at the window. And this was just sort of the stunning image that we of saw. Like, yeah, she's, she's in prison. I mean she, she can't get past that window. She can do a phone call from a window. And that, that's it. And it fueled a lot of questions about, about her well being. February 15th, Wendy gets the okay from a judge to travel to Miami to celebrate her father's 94th birthday. And the judge gives her that permission. She talks about that in this conversation and what had to happen on the plane for this trip in order for her to go. And she talks a little bit with me about how it was, how things went with her son, how things are with her son, and how things will be with her son. Very, very revealing conversation. On February 18, a medical evaluation was reportedly scheduled to reassess Wende's cognitive conditions. But she just told me that that did not happen. She has not had those tests. And she told me the protocol for what is supposed to happen in order to get those tests. Wendy built her career by asking really tough questions. And now the world is asking really tough questions like, should she really be locked away? What about the rest of us? Like, how bad does it have to get for something like this to really, truly take away our freedoms? It's a question we should all ask ourselves as we listen to Wendy and make a judgment about her abilities as they seem on a telephone. And so this conversation that I had with her today was just really powerful. And I was listening so intently to see if it's the old Wendy I know from before the conservatorship. And what I think she blew me away most with was that she said she appreciated the conservatorship in the beginning, but not now. She says it's gone too far and it's abusive now. But what a far ranging interview. Not only did I learn a lot of facts and details, but just listening to her was very informative. I think as you listen to her, you will be able to judge for yourself whether she deserves to be locked away without her constitutional freedoms. Remember, we are all free to be wingy and wild, and Wendy always was very wild. It should take a hell of a lot to take away your constitutional freedoms in this country. So I just wanted you to have this conversation that I had with her. She again, can't do video because she's barred from it. She has to have a friend. The friend today was Gina. Actually facilitate the calls for her and be on the line with her so that the call can get out to someone like me and, you know, very restrictive life. But she was not pulling any punches, no holds barred. She really answered all my questions. It was very forthcoming. So here's our conversation.
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Ameca Insurance Representative
At Ameca Insurance, we know it's more than just a house. It's your home. The place that's filled with memories. The early days of figuring it out to the later years of still figuring.
- [07:45]
Wendy Williams
It out.
- [07:48]
Ameca Insurance Representative
For the place you've put down roots. Trust, Amica Home insurance. Ameca Empathy is our best policy.
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David Tennant
Hi, Georgia.
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Georgia
Hi, David. What do you think the world needs more of?
- [08:02]
David Tennant
Well, the world always needs more podcasts.
- [08:04]
Georgia
Didn't you used to have a podcast?
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David Tennant
Not only did I used to have a podcast, Georgia, it's coming back. David Tennant does a podcast with. Season three is coming at you.
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Wendy Williams
Okay.
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Georgia
And who are your guests?
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David Tennant
Who are my guests? What about Russell T. Davis? What about Jamila Jamil? What about Stanley the Tooch Tucci?
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Georgia
So it's really just you hanging out with your mates then?
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Ashley Banfield
Yeah.
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David Tennant
Come join me. David Tennant does a podcast with.
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Gina
Bye.
- [08:30]
Ashley Banfield
Hi, Wendy. How are you? It's good to connect with you again. We have to do this by phone because you have not got the freedom to do what you want to do. If you want to do an interview. These are difficult times. Tell me how things are going right now.
- [08:46]
Gina
Well, I don't have the freedom to do virtually anything, you know what I'm saying? As far as where I am, I am on the fifth floor. They call it the memory unit. So it's for people who don't remember anything. And I've met the people who live here, you know what I'm saying? And I've been here for almost a year now, you know what I'm saying? And it's. This is very suffocating, you know what I'm saying?
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Wendy Williams
It's very. It's very.
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Gina
You know, there are the people here that work here. That's what they do for a living. You know, they. They pass around the pills, you know, not pass around, but I mean, you know, they do the pills, they take care of people who, I guess, go to the shower by themselves. They probably have, you know, a difficult time brushing their teeth, and, you know what I'm saying? It's the memory unit, you know what I mean? And why am I here? I have no idea. But I can tell you that it's $18,000 a month, which is extremely expensive. And what do I have? I have a bedroom and a bathroom.
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Ashley Banfield
And you just feel like you do not belong with that, with those folks, with the people who are on that floor with you. You just don't feel like you belong at all.
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Gina
It's not just about being on this floor. It's about being in this building. It's about, you know, I have been the ward for over three years. You know, my guardian has been, you know, I mean, you know, it's a long time, you know what I mean? And I'm ready to get out of here. I'm ready to get out, you know, and get out of the guardian, you know, it's just. It's suffocating, you know, it's very lonely.
- [10:42]
Ashley Banfield
Wendy, you were away in Miami with your dad and your son for his birthday. When you came back, the reporting was that you were going to have cognitive tests done. Did that happen?
- [10:59]
Gina
I don't know what a cognitive test is. What are you speaking of? Going to the doctor?
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Ashley Banfield
Yeah. That they were going to start doing some testing, you know, in order to maybe determine maybe it's time for you to be released. Have you had those tests?
- [11:12]
Gina
Yes. No, I have not had the tests with these two doctors, you know, and. And one of the attorneys, you know, I had to fire. So, you know, now, you know what I'm saying, The first thing I have to do is get an attorney, you know what I'm saying? Because right now I'm attorney bless. And yes, you know what I'm saying, I'm accused of having frontal temporal dementia. They accused me of being incapacitated. So I would imagine that the best way to prove that I am not, you know, is to talk, you know, saying, talk, talk with people, you know what I mean? So, again, it's really nice to speak with you, and it's like, you know, speaking to, you know, my family in Miami. That's great. You know, thanks. Speaking to, you know, people that I know in New York. That's great. You know, I'm saying. But, you know, when I first got involved, you know, it was about my money, you know what I'm saying, at Wells Fargo, you know, and anyway, and that's how I got involved with getting a guardian person, you know what I'm saying? And at that time, that was great.
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Ashley Banfield
Yeah. I definitely want to touch on the Wells Fargo issue and the money in a moment, but I still want to just figure out, like, where everything's with the testing. That seemed like a real step forward, that the guardian had said that testing would happen and that maybe you could actually test and get a clear result and then be out of the circumstance. When do you think it's gonna happen? Or is anyone telling you anything about when you're gonna get these cognitive tests?
- [13:03]
Gina
Well, first of all, I'm supposed to be having the Lincoln hearing, you know, with the judge, because I need a new attorney. And I guess, you know. You know, and with that, you know, I'm saying I was supposed to. I think, you know, I was supposed to be going to two different doctors, and that hasn't happened yet. So first things first, you know what I mean? I need an attorney.
- [13:35]
Ashley Banfield
Yeah. Right now she let go of her attorney. So what the plan is, as Wendy told me, is she wants a trial by jury, and so a petition has to be put in. Along with that petition would be the two tests from a psych and a psychologist and a psychiatrist. Unfortunately, she had to let go from her attorney. So right now she's in the process of getting a new attorney. So we can move forward with a trial by jury and submit the two tests that's needed in order for Wendy to show the court that she's not incapacitated.
- [14:16]
Wendy Williams
Correct.
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Ashley Banfield
What do you think the timeline's gonna be on this? Like Are we talking weeks or months? Like what do you, what do you expect it might take for this to all happen?
- [14:25]
Well, right now. Right, right now, because Wendy doesn't have an attorney. There's a process because she is a award and she has a guardian. So the process right now is she let go of her attorney. She would have to have a meeting with the judge to see if she does have the capacity to fire her attorney. If the judge feels she does not have the capacity, then the judge will do what's called appoint a court appointed attorney to Wendy. Wendy would not be able to pick her own private lawyer.
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Gina
Unbelievable. This is my life. This is my life. Ridiculous.
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Ashley Banfield
Wendy, can you tell me why the last attorney was fired or why you want to fire the last attorney?
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Gina
The last attorney? Because listen, regarding, you know, guardianship, you know, the attorney that I fired, the recent one she told me that she had was in charge of, you know, guardianship. And she's not. She said seven times seven people, you know what I'm saying? And it's not seven, it's only three. And listen, I don't care if it's 10, you know, 10 is not enough. You know what I'm saying? Guardianship is really important. You know, obviously, you know, like for me, you know, I'm saying it's far too long and too many weird things have happened to people that I know about, which I don't care to talk about. But I've spoken with people about it and people know that, please, I'm not incapacitated, you know, if I got a firm grasp on the attorney, you know, that I would like to have, you know, and the firm as a matter of fact, you know, and trial by.
- [16:23]
Ashley Banfield
Jury, I will say you sound a lot like the old Wendy that I knew, that I'd met several times on your set, that I'd met at events. And it's hard to, it's hard to understand this kind of control over your life, you know, it's just hard for the outsider to see this. I wonder if you ever feel, Wendy, any similarities to Britney Spears and her effort to come out from under her conservatorship.
- [16:48]
Gina
Oh my gosh, you are about the 10,000th person that has talked in terms of Britney Spears and her situation and talk to me about that, you know, I mean, you know, you know, this is a very, very unique situation that I'm in, you know what I'm saying? And yes, Britney Spears, you know, has her own unique situation. But I tell you something, this, this guardian thing, this is Like a very broken system as far as I'm concerned. You know, like. Like I'm on this fifth floor with my money, $18,000 a month, you know what I'm saying? Oh, it's a locked unit. Like, I can't press the elevator to go downstairs or upstairs. I have to be allowed and somebody here always to go to the third floor to work out, never doing it myself. Like, pressing the bell and going downstairs or upstairs. And by the way. And by the way, you know, as far as, you know, going out, you know, I'm saying, you know, with a friend, you know, to go get something to eat. Well, I have, like, zero dollars, you know, my guardian has all of my money, and she's using my money for various things of our own, you know, more like what I mean, Gina, can.
- [18:16]
Wendy Williams
You please talk about that, too?
- [18:18]
Gina
You know, I feel like I'm in prison, okay? It's like. It's like a luxury prison, I guess, because, you know, it's a very private building, you know what I'm saying? And an even more private floor.
- [18:32]
Wendy Williams
I think.
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Ashley Banfield
Wendy's. Wendy's concerned, from what she's told me, that the guardian has been spending her money on attorneys to defend herself against Wendy and the Lifetime lawsuit. And.
- [18:51]
Gina
And that's a big deal. That's a big deal because I don't care about. Did you watch the Lifetime? Did you watch that?
- [18:57]
Ashley Banfield
I did. I did. So that. So. So, Wendy, is your concern that the. That you're saying the guardian is using your money to defend herself against the Lifetime documentary?
- [19:06]
Yeah, absolutely.
- [19:07]
Gina
Absolutely. And I don't care about it. I don't care about that. What I want to do is I want to get out of this guardianship situation in my life, you know what I'm saying, and move on with my life. And obviously, I'll have to go back to work, which, you know, at one point, you know, I thought I have enough money to. That I don't have to work for the rest of my life. But now. And by the way, working is always fun, you know what I'm saying? Like. Like. Like doing something different, doing something unique, doing something I've never done before, you know what I'm saying? So. So in terms of, like, for instance, if I want to make a friend. Oh, please. You are not allowed to come here, you know what I'm saying? You have to get permission from. And this and that and the third. And that is not a way to live, you know what I'm saying? It's not a way to meet and greet people, you know, that I have to.
- [20:00]
Wendy Williams
To.
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Gina
I have to hire somebody, you know, to.
- [20:04]
Wendy Williams
To.
- [20:05]
Gina
What do you call that? To talk to and memory. A memory talk person. You know what I mean? Just to have a conversation.
- [20:15]
Ashley Banfield
Yeah. Yeah. What if you could have a conversation with a serial killer, actually sit in a room across the table from them and hear them tell the story of who they are, what they did and why they did it? What if you could separate their truths from their lies and actually maybe hear something that they've really never told anybody before. From the team that brought you down the hill, the Delphi Murders, comes Deviant. It's a show that explores the people who blow through society's boundaries, the people who live beyond the margins. The episodes are released each and every Tuesday and Friday, with Friday stories featuring interviews with people who have spent their lives and their careers close to crime. These include former FBI agents, undercover agents, and crime journalists who have covered the most shocking and high profile cases. Deviant is available now. You can follow and listen on Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, or any major streaming platform. Are you. Are you risking, like, being out of money because of all of the expenses that have been occurred? Are you fearful that you're running out of money?
- [21:33]
Gina
Yeah, well, guess what? I still don't know accurately what kind of money I have at all. You know what I'm saying? An attorney that I had, that she was the one that was supposed to, you know, you know, tell me, you know, come to me and we can talk. Dollars and cents, every money, you know, the money for this one and the money for that one. And most importantly, how much money do I have? You know what I'm saying? I mean, I mean, it's like. It's like. And people don't seem to care as long as I'm here, you know what I'm saying? I'm safe and protected, you know what I'm saying? And by myself and just watching tv, which, by the way, the tv, you know, thank God, the Guardians, who knows? I love tv. I have a big TV with my money, of course, but, you know, I'm saying it's worth it. Like I said, I have a TV and I have radio. Radio. Oh, you know, I love radio, too. I was doing radio for years before I got into doing tv, you know what I'm saying? You know, I was like a star at WBLS back in the day, you know, and then I. Then I went to Hobby.
- [22:41]
Ashley Banfield
Are you getting, Are you getting any. Are you getting any straight answers about how much money is left no, I'm.
- [22:47]
Gina
Not getting any straight answers about any of that. Not. No. Is that the most disgusting thing ever? It's my money, and my money is being used for other people and other things, you know what I'm saying? Like. Like for me, you know, even to fly to Miami for my dad's birthday, you know, they. They wouldn't let me fly with, you know, the.
- [23:14]
Wendy Williams
The.
- [23:15]
Gina
The man, you know, the bodyguard, you know, man who'd be flying with me. No, I had to fly with the attorney or I wouldn't be allowed to fly to m. Dad's birthday, you know, with my money. Everybody, you know, you know, stay in a hotel, not with the attorney, attorney had her own money. But, you know, the point is, is that, you know, and then. And then while I was in Miami, you know, and I was shopping, you know, and buying and, you know what I'm saying? Because all my stuff is in storage, okay? The last time I spoke to the guardian about going to storage, she said no. And I've been there, you know, maybe I don't know, three or four times, you know, since, you know, my apartment, you know, was sold. So everything's in stores, you know, and all the clothing, everything. So, you know, I brought some things in Miami for here in New York, you know, to see the judge, to go to the court, you know what I'm saying? When I go out and the money was put. The money was put on hold with the credit card that the attorney had.
- [24:22]
Ashley Banfield
So, you know, when you were given the permission to go to your dad's birthday and the weekend in Miami, who flew with you? Was it as. Was it a lawyer? Was it a guard? Was it a companion? Was it the conservator?
- [24:38]
Gina
It was a man who is a. The former cop, you know what I'm saying?
- [24:47]
Wendy Williams
And.
- [24:47]
Gina
And he flew, you know, together, and then the attorney, you know, flew also. And like I said, the judge said I would not be allowed to fly.
- [24:58]
Wendy Williams
With just, you know, the, you know.
- [25:03]
Gina
Man, you know, saying the police enforcer person.
- [25:09]
Ashley Banfield
So it was the judge who said that. The judge was the one who said you have to fly with the lawyer and this sort of additional companion, the person who used to be a police officer. The judge determined that that was where it came from.
- [25:23]
Gina
Yes, I mean, the additional companion is always, you know, you know, you know, you know, a law enforcer, you know what I'm saying? Like, you know, a former bodyguard, you know, who now is retired, but still does security for, you know, certain. And, you know, and that goes on a lot so, you know, I have no problem with that. You know, the idea with the attorney who. Please, you know, I was about to fire her, you know, it was just a matter of when, you know what I mean? There were quite a few things going on, but the biggest thing is that I wanted to put in the petition for trial by jury, you know, and get out of this place. Like. Like.
- [26:06]
Ashley Banfield
Anyway, there was video that came out about a week ago of you arriving at Miami International Airport. You looked so happy. I was interested, though, that people were asking you questions, but you didn't answer them. And I've always known you to be very talkative. What was going through your mind when you were in the wheelchair going to your vehicle and people, you know, the paparazzi are there and asking questions?
- [26:28]
Gina
Yeah, no. Well, the thing is that I am a talker by nature, you know what I'm saying?
- [26:34]
Ashley Banfield
That's a good thing. It served you well.
- [26:36]
Gina
But I have to tell you something. I have to tell you something, you know, because things have become so strict, you know what I'm saying? That the most important thing was just to just continue moving forward. Just continue moving forward. And so in Miami, there was no time for stopping and joking. Just continue to move forward. Continue, you know, at the airport, you know what I'm saying, and then get in the car, you know what I'm saying, and go to the hotel. And then, yeah, there was. There was paparazzi and things of that nature, which I do admit that I love that. You know what I'm saying? I love that even when I was doing WBLS in New York, so I cannot lie. But, you know.
- [27:28]
Ashley Banfield
Yeah, but nobody said to you you're not allowed to talk to the press, did they?
- [27:35]
Gina
Yes. Well, you know what? I didn't want to be a part of that. You know, there are people. Because I'm dealing with, you know, this situation for over three years, you know, and things are very strict, you know, like, you know. No, so I can't. I can't. I can't be who I love to be, you know, I have to be more conservative and. And I don't mind that either, for that right now, you know. You know.
- [28:13]
Ashley Banfield
Yeah. But, you know, I. I got. I got the impression that you might consider at some point getting back into radio or getting back into tv, like you want to work again. Is that. Tell me about that.
- [28:24]
Gina
Oh, you know, I. It is going to be very nice to get back in doing the things of that nature. Very nice, you know, and thank goodness, you know, I have some really good people in my corner, you know, people who have asked me about, would you like to do this? Would you like to do that? And I was like, ah, oh, my gosh. Oh, my gosh. My life is. My life is so, so fabulous in such a weird, screwed up way. You know, it's just like, do you.
- [29:01]
Ashley Banfield
Want to work again in television or in radio? Like, what are your thoughts about it?
- [29:06]
Gina
Yes, I've been. Listen, I have had conversations and things of that nature. You know, I cannot talk the way I would like to about my life after guardian, but it is very, very fabulous. It's going to be.
- [29:30]
Ashley Banfield
You have lots of plans.
- [29:31]
Gina
And here's the thing, you know what I'm saying? You know, getting out of Guardian, you know, and moving on with my life means that my life has to be very secured. And I have a lot of things in place with a few particular people. And Gina, you know what I'm speaking of. Gina, can you talk? Because I am nervous to talk about certain things.
- [29:55]
Ashley Banfield
Yeah, Actually, I think what Wendy's trying to say is that, you know, Wendy doesn't have to be in a guardianship to be protected from someone to financially exploit her. There are things that can be placed outside of this guardianship where, you know, she can be protected. More attorneys in her life to protect her. Being in this guardianship with the label of her being incapacitated clearly is unjust. It's not appropriate. And, you know, she's being bullied and contained in an unhealthy environment. Being isolated for almost two years, literally isolated with just minimal visits.
- [30:42]
Gina
I feel emotionally abused. And by the way, when I was in Connecticut, and I was in Connecticut for a full year, I celebrated my birthday, right? The whole building was, well, the memory unit, you know, and there was a memory unit. First of all, there was nothing but trees when I was in Connecticut, and there were quite a few memory units in the vicinity that I was like.
- [31:11]
Wendy Williams
Wow, this is where I am and.
- [31:14]
Gina
These people work here and how am I supposed to survive? You know what I mean? And so the best thing I can tell you is that, you know, I did everything in the bedroom. Breakfast, lunch, dinner in the bedroom. You know, watching tv, listening to radio, you know, making a few telephone calls, but not much. You know what I'm saying? I'm in Connecticut. Well, my gosh, I mean, there is a huge difference to me from New York and Connecticut. I'm just saying. I'm just saying.
- [31:47]
Ashley Banfield
Are you still taking meals in your bedroom and spending most of the day just in that bedroom? Unit?
- [31:53]
Gina
Yes. I spend all of my time right here. All of my time right here. When I watch tv, I'm watching my friend Rosanna Scotto. Like, me and Rosanna Scotto, we go back a long time, you know what I'm saying? It's like to watch TV and to see certain things. Things like, oh, there's Donald Trump. Oh, I know Donald Trump from years ago. Or, you know, it's just. It's just, you know, things, you know what I'm saying? Like, and this is my life, you know what I'm saying? With a guardian, you know, and looking for the attorneys that I fired and the judge, you know what I'm saying? And these people, these people where I am, and this is my life. And the best thing that I can tell, you know, to anybody that's on the phone with me, this is my life.
- [32:55]
Ashley Banfield
Yeah. So the way this all kicked off, as the reporting had it, was that you were financially being abused, that. That your finances were draining, and the accusations were that it was your son. And I just wanted to get your thoughts on that back then and your thoughts on it now.
- [33:15]
Gina
That will never.
- [33:16]
Wendy Williams
That will never be a problem again in life, you know what I'm saying? My son is my son. You know what I mean? And, you know, we definitely have a meeting of the minds regarding. Regarding. My money is my money, you know, towards graduation, you know, the last thing that I did for him was I bought him a car. And, you know. You know, that is no reason for me to feel like, you know, my son's a horrible person, you know what I'm saying? First of all, the main person, the main people involved is not my son, you know what I'm saying? And. And I was gonna say that is all I can say about it, you know, that is all I can say about it. But my friend Gina knows what I'm speaking of. And. And. And there is such factual, factual stuff, you know what I'm saying? But at least, you know, Wells Fargo is really good at stopping the majority of my money, you know what I'm saying?
- [34:27]
Ashley Banfield
You know, so you're happy with them? I know at first it was very frustrating. But you're happy that Wells Fargo had your back?
- [34:32]
Wendy Williams
No, no, Wells Fargo did a good job at that time, you know, that was. That was. That was like three and a half years ago, you know, and they did a very good job, you know what I'm saying? And that's how I ended up, you know, with guardian. And, you know, at that time, I was like, yes, oh my gosh, yes. Because my money is my money, you know, Your money is your money. Is that correct? I mean, even when you're married, even when you're married, don't you have a few extra dollars that are yours and not his? You don't have to answer yes or no, but this is me, this is my life, you know what I'm saying?
- [35:09]
Ashley Banfield
I hear you loud and clear, actually. And I think a lot of, I think a lot of the listeners hear you loud and clear on that too. Are you good with Kevin? Are you good? Like, how was Miami? How was that visit?
- [35:19]
Wendy Williams
Oh, my gosh. Kevin and I are fabulous. You know what I'm saying? Fabulous. You know, and my sister Wanda and I, you know what I'm, we talk on the phone often, you know what I'm saying?
- [35:31]
Gina
My dad.
- [35:32]
Wendy Williams
Yep. You know, I mean, the family is, the family is good, you know. My niece Alex, we're on the phone non stop.
- [35:44]
Ashley Banfield
I'm glad about that because I'm, you know, it's so important to have family support. I know that in Britney Spears case, she was at odds with her family, my friend.
- [35:53]
Wendy Williams
Well, yes, there's a. Please, all family is not good family. And I won't talk about what part of that I'm speaking of, but I will say to you that my niece Alex, me and Gina, we do a three way conversation a lot.
- [36:09]
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- [37:41]
Ashley Banfield
Wendy, do you feel, do you feel at all abandoned by any of your friends or associates from before the conservatorship?
- [37:48]
Wendy Williams
Yes, absolutely. Abso freaking lutely. And you want to know what? And that's why I'm saying, you know what I'm saying? I've gained heavy friends and particular family. Heavy, heavy friends and heavy family. And you know what? And it's only a few different people. It's not like, you know, 20 people or even 15. You know what I'm saying? Please, I can count on my hands the ones that I trust and I honor.
- [38:24]
Ashley Banfield
Who do you feel abandoned by? From your, from your life before the conservatorship?
- [38:30]
Wendy Williams
I don't want to talk about, understand.
- [38:33]
Gina
One day, one day I will, though.
- [38:35]
Wendy Williams
But I don't want to talk about it now.
- [38:37]
Ashley Banfield
No, I understand. I understand. But that's a hard, that's, that's painful to hear that. Do you still have good old friends from your life before who you still are close with?
- [38:48]
Wendy Williams
Yes, I do. I do. The unfortunate thing is that, you know, my phone, you know, to call, you know, good old friends, you know, saying my phone is with my guardian. So the phone that I'm using is a landline phone. Like, I can call you, but you can't call me, you know what I'm saying? And, you know, I keep it constantly refreshed, you know, saying, and you know, I'm not familiar with the landline phone until I got this phone here, you know, therefore, the telephone numbers to be able to call people, you know, I can't do that.
- [39:27]
Gina
You know, like, like the way I.
- [39:29]
Wendy Williams
Found Gina is through my friend Charlemagne, the God from radio and Charlamagne.
- [39:35]
Gina
I've known Charlamagne for almost 20 years.
- [39:38]
Wendy Williams
You know what I mean? It's like really weird. Rosanna Scotto, same thing, you know. Oh, I have the Rosanna Scotto, you know, it's just very weird, you know, how I got in contact with people, you know what I'm saying? My friend. Yeah, my friend Harvey Levin from tmz. I mean, please, I've known him for years as well. Wow. You know?
- [40:00]
Ashley Banfield
Yeah. So, you know, I'm glad to hear that you're at least being able to keep abreast of the news and have the television and you're able to see. I'm sure you must have seen all these latest antics by Kanye West. What are you thinking about that?
- [40:17]
Gina
Listen, you know the thing about watching.
- [40:20]
Wendy Williams
Tv, and believe me when I tell you, I love tv, you know what I'm saying? TV is on all the time. When I was out of the squad, when I was just on my own, you know what I'm saying? TV and radio are too must all the time in my life. And regarding Kanye west, please, I'm thinking about Wendy Williams, please. And as far as Kanye west, you know, or whoever else you know, please.
- [40:49]
Ashley Banfield
Some people, Wendy, some people have said, understandably, how is it that Kanye west can do the things he's doing and behave in a way that he's behaving? And there's no talk of conservatorship at all. And Wendy is locked up.
- [41:04]
Wendy Williams
Listen, listen, listen, listen. My life, to me, conservatorship has failed. Failed miserably. Like, it started out to be good, you know, it was about my money, you know, I'm saying, okay, great. Next thing you know, you know, it's about, you know, what are these pills? You know what I'm saying? I have Lynzest and I have thyroid, and you know what Lynzest is about. But, you know, you know, can I go to the doctor of my choice? Oh, well, finally I'm going to the doctor that, you know, I've been dealing with my thyroid for years, thank God, as opposed to, you know, somebody coming and drawing my blood and then taking it to, you know what I'm saying?
- [41:58]
Gina
Like.
- [41:58]
Wendy Williams
Like, this is a weird life that I have.
- [42:00]
Gina
I can't go to the doctor.
- [42:01]
Wendy Williams
The doctor has come to me. And by the way, that hasn't happened here so far.
- [42:05]
Ashley Banfield
Here. What do you think about this notion that many people are discussing Kanye's antics and no talk of conservatorship for him yet? There's Wendy locked up. Is this a notion that women like Wendy or Britney get locked up but Kanye doesn't?
- [42:24]
Wendy Williams
I can tell you this. I can tell you this. I would imagine that people think that it's easy to. Because I am. I am. I am solitude, you know, I'm saying I'm by myself. Like, like, like family and friends.
- [42:38]
Gina
They don't even know where I am.
- [42:40]
Wendy Williams
You know what I'm saying?
- [42:41]
Gina
They don't know where I am.
- [42:42]
Wendy Williams
You know, out of, out of, out of sight, out of mind, you know, What I'm saying, people aren't. People are looking for me. But, you know, all right, I can't even call Wendy's phone, so I'm just going to relax, you know what I'm saying?
- [42:55]
Gina
Gina, can you please talk a little.
- [42:57]
Wendy Williams
Bit more about what she's been talking about?
- [42:59]
Ashley Banfield
Actually, that issue you just mentioned. Family and friends don't know where you are. Does your family and your friends, they don't know where you're literally living?
- [43:08]
Wendy Williams
Yes. I mean, my sister has been here. She knows, and she knows the floor. You know, saying my niece, too. Oh, please. They've been here and they know the floor. My son, too, has been here and knows the floor. You know what I mean? But. But that, that. Look, the idea that they have to come, but, you know, I can't, like, pick a restaurant because the money is from my guardian, you know what I'm saying? And it has to be approved, you know, and the idea that I'm even in this locked building, which is, like, ridiculous, you know what I'm saying? Gina, can you talk a little bit more so that I'm not saying too much?
- [43:51]
Gina
Yeah.
- [43:54]
Ashley Banfield
Everybody knows where Wendy lives. There has to be permission via the guardian for visitation. Friends cannot visit unless they're approved by the guardian.
- [44:08]
Gina
It's very restricted.
- [44:10]
Ashley Banfield
Right, right. So in this respect, does it frustrate you that you're in this predicament and someone who's behaving like Kanye's behaving is not. There's not even a question of whether Kanye should be in a conservatorship?
- [44:30]
Wendy Williams
Well, you know, that is what I'm saying. It's a very weird situation, you know what I mean?
- [44:37]
Gina
And by the way, being out and.
- [44:40]
Wendy Williams
About and still being a ward, that's.
- [44:44]
Gina
Not my picture either.
- [44:45]
Wendy Williams
You know, I'm the ward to my, you know, guardian. You know, I'm saying I don't want that.
- [44:51]
Gina
This has been long overdue.
- [44:53]
Wendy Williams
I need out of this. And by the way, you know what happened Yesterday? Yesterday around 6:30, so it's dark, right? Yesterday, this. There were two women who came in, one who works on this floor, and. And. And this other woman who I'd never met before, but they were talking about the bathroom. Gina, remember I was telling you this? Yeah, it was really weird. Right? So they wanted to know that. They want to make sure that everything is safe. I said, okay.
- [45:28]
Gina
What do you mean, safe?
- [45:29]
Wendy Williams
I mean, how much more safe can you be than, you know, in this building? This is like, oh, my gosh. So they said, regarding the Shampoo and conditioner. I said, what about it? You mean in the shower? They said yes. They. They wanted me to.
- [45:45]
Gina
They asked if they can keep, you.
- [45:48]
Wendy Williams
Know, the shampoo and conditioner, you know, safe so that it's safe. So anytime that I wanted to do shampoo and conditioner, I have to be allowed for somebody to bring it to me. You know what I'm saying?
- [46:00]
Gina
It's weird.
- [46:01]
Wendy Williams
And I said, all right, so what else, you know, what else would that be? Would that be, like, lotion that's, you know, in the bathroom, you know. You know, lotion. I got two hair brushes, my. My toothbrush and toothpaste, you know what I'm saying? My. My nail polish, which I keep a little bit at. Anyway. So, yes, they said, yes, we keep it locked. And by the way, there is. There is a lot. I see what. You know, when I first got here, you know what I'm saying? I'm like, why would I want to kick that lock?
- [46:35]
Gina
What are you talking about?
- [46:37]
Wendy Williams
And this is the life that I.
- [46:38]
Ashley Banfield
Go through your toiletries. So let me get that straight. Your shampoo, your toiletries, those things are locked away from you. You have to have someone bring them to you?
- [46:46]
Wendy Williams
Yes, yes. All.
- [46:49]
Gina
All of it. They want me to.
- [46:50]
Wendy Williams
They want to bring things. Like, if I want lotion, they will bring me the lotion. You know what I'm saying?
- [46:56]
Gina
If I want to do my. If I want to take off the.
- [46:58]
Wendy Williams
Nail polish and put different nail polish on, they have to bring it to me. You know what I'm saying?
- [47:03]
Gina
If I want to brush my teeth.
- [47:04]
Wendy Williams
And wash my face, they have to bring it to me.
- [47:07]
Ashley Banfield
They say, why? Like, why would they do. Why would that.
- [47:11]
Wendy Williams
Well, this is. You know, they asked. You know, I guess they asked it, and they just started asking that yesterday. And so today, you know what I'm saying? I was kind of frustrated with that. So I asked the girl who works next door, I said.
- [47:27]
Gina
You realize that.
- [47:29]
Wendy Williams
No matter how many times they ask that, I don't want that done. Like, just leave the door unlocked, you know what I'm saying? And always knock. Yeah, also that. You know what I'm saying?
- [47:39]
Ashley Banfield
I'm confused. These are other people who are in the ward as residents. They're asking for this to happen or this is happening.
- [47:51]
Gina
I don't know what. It probably is just happening.
- [47:53]
Wendy Williams
Because, remember, this is the memory unit, this floor, the memory unit. They don't remember anything. You know, this is the memory unit, this floor. Except for me, you know what I'm saying? And by the way. And the price ranges from $20,000 a month to $40,000 a month.
- [48:14]
Gina
So I got. I got a couple of dollars off because mine is only. 30.
- [48:18]
Wendy Williams
Is only. I'm sorry, it's $18,000 a month.
- [48:23]
Ashley Banfield
Oh, discount. My God. Wendy, real quick. There was a headline, I think, a week or two ago that said that there was an issue in a restaurant with you being drunk at the facility. Was there any truth to that?
- [48:38]
Wendy Williams
When I first got here, right, And I came from Connecticut, you know, I was there for a year, and, you know, I won't call it a party, but what I will say is that, you know, first of all, as far as eating, I wasn't on this floor.
- [48:51]
Gina
You know what I'm saying?
- [48:52]
Wendy Williams
All of the food was, you know, above, and there were a whole bunch of people there. You know what I'm saying? And there was. There was, you know, food. And yes, there was alcohol. And yes, I part shook at that time. However, I must tell you that I am sober and will stay sober for the rest of my life. You know, I have more important things to do. And by the way, I wasn't silly drunk just so that, you know. But, you know, there are more important things to do in my life. And the most important thing is to get out of this guardianship mess so I can move on with the rest of my life and get back to work doing the work that I like. You know.
- [49:38]
Ameca Insurance Representative
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- [49:51]
Wendy Williams
Thank you for calling Ameca Insurance.
- [49:52]
Gina
Hey, I was just in an accident.
- [49:55]
Wendy Williams
Don't worry, we'll get you taken care of.
- [49:56]
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- [50:07]
David Tennant
Hi, Georgia.
- [50:08]
Georgia
Hi, David. What do you think the world needs more of?
- [50:12]
David Tennant
Well, the world always needs more podcasts.
- [50:14]
Georgia
Didn't you used to have a podcast?
- [50:16]
David Tennant
Not only did I used to have a podcast, Georgia, it's coming back. David Tennant does a podcast with season three. It's coming at you.
- [50:23]
Georgia
Okay. And who are your guests?
- [50:24]
David Tennant
Who are my guests? What about Russell T. Davis? What about Jamila Jamil? What about Stanley the Tooch Tucci?
- [50:31]
Georgia
So it's really just you hanging out with your mates then?
- [50:33]
Wendy Williams
Yeah.
- [50:34]
David Tennant
Come join me. David Tennant does a podcast with.
- [50:37]
Ameca Insurance Representative
Bye.
- [50:40]
Ashley Banfield
I remember when I was on your show and we were talking, you were working so hard on your sobriety. It was such a critical part. You were Very public with it, with your audience, too. Do you think that maybe alcoholism or any substance abuse really kind of drove towards the circumstance that you're in now? Do you have a feeling one way or the other?
- [51:01]
Wendy Williams
No. I told you, the way I got involved with this was my money. The money that. The money. And that's how I got involved with Guardian, and that's how my money got stopped at Wells Fargo. Now, as far as alcohol, alcohol had nothing to do with that, you know, however, yes, I have gone to a few, you know, you know, facilities for that, you know, saying. And. And I'm proud to say, you know, that I'm sober for the rest of my life, you know, I'm also proud to say that my body is as beautiful as it ever has been, thank God, you know, and I still like to do the same things that I love to do, you know, I love to sew. You know what I'm saying? I love to sew. And I love to change the nail polish, you know what I'm saying? And I still love. I wear lipstick all the time, you know. You know, not the whole makeup thing, though, but lipstick regularly, regularly, you know, and as far as. As far as, you know, you know, going in the bathroom, well, that's a regular. You know, you take a shower. A shower. Because what. Because I want to. You know, what I'm saying is that, you know, my life has not changed, you know, so much. So, you know, the people that I enjoy speaking with, oh, my gosh, are the same people like, oh, my gosh, there I am on News Nation.
- [52:37]
Gina
Look at me go.
- [52:39]
Wendy Williams
Oh, gosh, look, I love seeing tv, and I see myself on tv. It's just like the cat's meow.
- [52:47]
Ashley Banfield
We love having you. You know, I've always, always been a big admirer of yours, Wendy. I really always have been.
- [52:53]
Wendy Williams
Thank you. Well, you know, Gina loves turkey bacon, and I love bacon, you know, like pork, pork, bacon. But. But I know turkey, but I love pork. And by the way, how often on this floor have I had bacon? Not much at all. I mean, maybe three times, you know, I'm saying out of almost a year that I've been here, literally, you know, here I have bars, by the way.
- [53:24]
Gina
Do you like bars?
- [53:26]
Ashley Banfield
Don't like them.
- [53:27]
Wendy Williams
I do eat on this floor, you know, they're lunch, salad, and it's always salad and salad and anchovies. Well, you know, I have somebody with my money goes out and brings in anchovies that I want with my money. You know, I love Poland Springs Water, I don't want Dasani. You know, Fiji looks good, but Poland Springs, that's been my mainstay all of my life. So with my money, you bring in the Poland Spring. A case, please. Three cases, please. You make sure that my water is always watered up. You know.
- [54:09]
Ashley Banfield
Can I ask you. Can I ask you, Wendy, overall, how. I mean, I love to ask the question, how are you doing? But really, how are you feeling like you're doing?
- [54:23]
Wendy Williams
I feel like I'm very uplifted. I feel very, very important. And I have people with me, you know, who finally understand, you know, what I want, you know what I'm saying? And also, by the way, people who also talk back and forth with, you know what I'm saying? So when I'm talking about this and they're talking about that, there's always a meeting of the mind. I mean, it's just a really beautiful thing. It's a really beautiful, uplifting thing, you know what I'm saying? I feel very, very impressed by the friends that I will remain friends with for the rest of my goddamn life. I mean, I. I. Look, I don't want to cry, but I'm getting a little emotional. But Gina.
- [55:16]
Gina
Do you know what I'm talking about, Gina? Because you're.
- [55:19]
Wendy Williams
That you're one of those people, Gina.
- [55:22]
Gina
Like, like, like. No, she says thank you, but.
- [55:25]
Wendy Williams
But she knows what I mean. Like, like, like you have no idea what it's like. My life, you know, the bad part of it, you know, but there is good in it, too.
- [55:39]
Gina
And the good part is my new life.
- [55:42]
Wendy Williams
When I get out of this mess that I'm in.
- [55:47]
Gina
You know, I have people that I can count on. It's not just Gina, you know.
- [55:59]
Ashley Banfield
But, I mean, it sounds to me, you know, Wendy, it sounds to me like you're your friends.
- [56:03]
Gina
Yeah.
- [56:03]
Wendy Williams
Yeah. The friends that I have are critical to me, but there are friends that are not friends of mine anymore. Zero. Yeah. Yeah.
- [56:17]
Ashley Banfield
I just want to say thank you so much, Wendy, for being so candid and honest. And I'm wishing everything good for you. Please stay informed and keep us informed, and hopefully we'll talk again. Thank you very much.
- [56:31]
Thank you, Ashley.
- [56:36]
All right. Thank you, guys.
- [56:38]
Thank you so much.
- [56:39]
Be well. Be well, guys. So there you have it, Wendy Williams. Unplugged and unedited. I hope this was revealing to you and I hope it was newsworthy to you. I gotta say, I really love talking to someone I consider a friend, someone I have always admired, you know, it was very insightful. I think personally. Very insightful. Please. I'm so glad that you're here and I would just love it if you would subscribe and like and leave comments and tell me your thoughts on all of this, good or bad. I love hearing the good and the bad. It helps me to get better. I also want to hear who you'd like me to talk to, what cases you'd like me to cover. If you're watching this on YouTube right now, leave a comment below and tell me all your thoughts, including what you want to see covered, what kind of interviews you'd like to see me do, and who in particular you'd like me to reach out to. Don't forget to follow me on social media. I'm on all platforms, either TVAshley or AshleyBanfield. And you know, as always, I encourage you to subscribe because I drop a lot of surprises, little bonus episodes with stuff that I wasn't expecting and that just came out of the blue and I don't want you to miss that stuff when it drops. And as always, friends, please remember this. The truth isn't just serious. It is drop dead serious.
- [57:59]
Ameca Insurance Representative
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- [58:29]
David Tennant
Hi, Georgia.
- [58:30]
Georgia
Hi, David. What do you think the world needs more of?
- [58:34]
David Tennant
Well, the world always needs more podcasts.
- [58:36]
Georgia
Didn't you used to have a podcast?
- [58:38]
David Tennant
Not only did I used to have a podcast, Georgia, it's coming back. David Tennant does a podcast with season three. It's coming at you.
- [58:45]
Georgia
Okay, and who are you getting?
- [58:46]
Gina
Guests.
- [58:46]
David Tennant
Who are my guests? What about Russell T. Davis? What about Jamila Jamil? What about Stanley the Tuch Tucci?
- [58:53]
Georgia
So it's really just you hanging out with your mates then?
- [58:55]
Wendy Williams
Yeah.
- [58:56]
David Tennant
Come join me. David Tennant does a podcast with Bye.