Picture this: A former talk show superstar, once captivating millions with her bold personality and unfiltered opinions, now confined to what she bluntly describes as a 'dump' in a $25,000-a-month assisted living setup. Wendy Williams' story is unfolding like a dramatic plot twist, and it's pulling back the curtain on some tough realities about aging, celebrity, and care. But here's where it gets controversial – is this high-end facility really the gilded cage it seems, or is there more to the debate over her well-being and autonomy? Stick around, because this tale has layers that might surprise you, including legal battles that question everything from competence to control.
Wendy Williams has opened up in a rare, candid phone chat with The Cut magazine, giving us a peek into her life at Coterie, an upscale assisted-living center nestled in New York City's Hudson Yards. She reportedly occupies an entire floor there, but it's not all glamour. From her spot on the memory care level, which is securely locked, Wendy shared restrictions that might make anyone pause: she can't just stroll out whenever she pleases – that requires approval from both the facility and her court-appointed guardian. No cell phones are permitted, though she's got a landline in her room for outgoing calls only.
Her longtime friend, Max Tucci, who runs the chic Italian spot Tucci in New York, echoed her sentiments during his own interview. He painted a picture of the place as somewhere ultra-wealthy folks tuck away their elders, but added with gravity that Wendy doesn't need such arrangements. 'She doesn’t need it. Wendy doesn’t lie,' he emphasized, underscoring the irony of her situation.
In the conversation, Wendy grilled the reporter who'd checked out the facility, asking pointedly, 'Did you see the people? The elderly people? Why do I want to look at that?' She vented her frustration, calling the whole setup a 'f----d-up situation' and revealing she'd repeatedly pleaded to be relocated from that floor. For those unfamiliar, memory care units are designed for individuals with cognitive impairments, providing a safer environment by limiting access to prevent wandering or potential harm – a common precaution in such facilities to protect residents.
Bach Mai and Wendy Williams attend the Bach Mai fashion show during New York Fashion Week, September 2025. (Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
This isn't just any celebrity gossip; Wendy's been under a legal guardianship since 2022, appointed by the court to oversee her affairs. In early 2024, her team disclosed diagnoses of progressive aphasia – a condition that gradually erodes language skills – and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a form of dementia that affects behavior, personality, and speech. FTD, for beginners, is different from Alzheimer's; it often starts earlier in life and targets the front and sides of the brain, leading to changes like impulsivity or social withdrawal. Yet, Wendy firmly disputes having dementia at all, a stance that adds fuel to the ongoing debates.
The Cut's reporter painted a vivid scene of Coterie's lobby: fresh lilies scenting the air, gleaming marble floors, and a dazzling tiered crystal waterfall chandelier overhead. Amenities abound, including round-the-clock nursing staff, a private movie theater, a snack bar, a spa, and a hair salon for those who can partake – all hallmarks of premium senior living aimed at comfort and engagement.
Wendy Williams discussed her assisted-living condition in a rare phone interview. (Michael Tran/FilmMagic/Getty Images)
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She's been a resident there since 2023, largely keeping a low profile, though recent outings have put her back in the spotlight. Just last month, she made an appearance at New York Fashion Week, proving she's not entirely out of the public eye. 'You know I've been out. So obviously I do go out,' she remarked, also mentioning her attendance at a large megachurch in Brooklyn. 'It gives me faith and keeps me very well in touch with God and myself,' she shared, highlighting how these moments provide spiritual and personal grounding.
Wendy Williams is under court-ordered guardianship. (Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
Her journey at Coterie began on the third floor, boasting panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows with views of 35th Street, plus luxurious marble bathrooms with heated floors and grab bars for safety. But things shifted after a birthday celebration in July, when, according to a pal, she indulged at the penthouse restaurant and bar. Soon after, she was transferred to the memory care unit – a move that underscores how even small incidents can influence placement in these environments.
Wendy did score a small victory: a judge permitted her to use an iPad in her 360-square-foot studio suite on the memory floor. As listed on Coterie's site, this unit costs a whopping $25,800 monthly. Beyond that fee, her estate covers guardianship-related expenses, including lawyer fees for her guardian, Sabrina Morrissey, at $10,000 a month, plus her own retained attorney's costs.
Wendy Williams attended the Bach Mai Fashion Show during New York Fashion Week this September. (Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
Legal concerns swirled this year over Wendy's finances, leading to the sale of her 2,400-square-foot apartment at a loss. Even her two cats were rehomed, details that paint a picture of sweeping changes under guardianship. She uses her iPad to tune into reruns of her old radio show and keep tabs on news about herself, staying connected in her own way.
The Cut's depiction of the memory care floor was stark: a Febreze-scented air, no locks on doors (for safety and easy access), and no stoves or fridges to minimize risks. There's a gym on the floor, where the reporter spotted Wendy striding on the treadmill, gazing out at the city in her signature black top, leggings, and blonde wig. 'She looked good,' the observer noted, a glimpse of resilience amid restrictions.
Wendy Williams is currently in an assisted-living situation. (Getty Images)
And this is the part most people miss – a bombshell lawsuit filed by her ex-husband, Kevin Hunter, in June, purportedly on her behalf. He claims she's fully capable and accuses the judge of being 'crooked,' branding the guardianship as 'fraudulent bondage' and demanding Sabrina Morrissey's removal. Court documents reveal Hunter had been receiving $37,500 monthly in alimony for years but stopped around the guardianship proceedings. The suit sought a staggering $250 million split between him and Wendy. On October 9, TMZ reported that a judge dismissed the lawsuit, though Hunter might refile an amended version for himself.
Williams divorced Hunter in 2019 after discovering his infidelity during their 21 years of marriage; they have a 25-year-old son, Kevin Hunter Jr. In a phone chat with The Cut, their son expressed a desire to steer clear of the drama, focusing on his own life while hoping for his mom's release. 'I'm really not trying to be too caught up in this. I'm trying to build, carve out my own path right now, away from everything. I just want her to get out of this. Because it's not right,' he said.
Wendy has one son, Kevin Jr., with her ex-husband. (Getty Images)
Looking ahead, a fresh medical evaluation is expected in the weeks or months to come. The overseeing judge could uphold the guardianship, loosen some rules, replace Morrissey, or even end it entirely. Insiders suggest full removal is improbable, but the possibilities keep the story alive.
Fox News Digital contacted Coterie for a response.
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Janelle Ash is an entertainment writer for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to janelle.ash@fox.com.
But let's get real – is this guardianship truly protecting Wendy, or is it stripping away her independence in a way that feels unjust? Some argue that with her history of public appearances and expressed wishes, she might be more capable than portrayed, raising questions about whether guardianships can sometimes go too far. What do you think – does celebrity status complicate these decisions, or should health always come first? Share your thoughts in the comments below; do you side with Wendy's perspective, or is the system working as intended? We'd love to hear your take and spark a conversation!
