Wendy Williams has made her first appearance in more than a year as she prepares to open up about her personal struggles in a new Lifetime documentary.
The TV star, 59, has appeared in the first trailer for her upcoming special, more than two years after quitting her chat show, citing health concerns.
The documentary, which will be released over two nights on Lifetime in the US, will follow Wendy as her health continues to deteriorate.
Although the trailer offered a preview of the special, it was removed just minutes after being posted to social media.
In the trailer, Wendy broke down in tears as she struggled with both mental and physical illness after her talk show ended.
Wendy Williams is appearing for the first time in more than a year as she prepares to open up about her personal struggles in a new Lifetime documentary
The TV star has appeared in the first trailer for her upcoming special, more than two years after quitting her chat show, citing health concerns
“Since I was six, all I wanted to do was be famous,” she told the cameras, as footage showed the radio host at the height of her career.
The documentary included a glimpse of Wendy in her heyday as an anchor, when she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
But in the end, Wendy wasn’t shown until the present day, the first time she’s been seen in public in over a year.
It showed Wendy’s son Kevin Hunter Jr., who told the camera that she “did a really good job of making it seem like everything is fine, but in reality something wrong is going on.”
Footage showed a frail Wendy in the backseat of a car as the producer asked her, “Have you seen a neurologist?” and she replied, ‘To see if I am mad? Mhm.’
Clips showed the star struggling to get up even without an assistant, while a male relative said: ‘She was taken to court and given a guardian. That was when they took her from us.”
Wendy spoke directly to the camera and then said, “I don’t have any money. And let me tell you something, if it happens to me, it can happen to you.”
In another scene in the trailer, one of Wendy’s loved ones asked if she drank an entire bottle of vodka “today.”
In the trailer, Wendy broke down in tears as she struggled with both mental and physical illness after her talk show ended
She then snapped at the man to “keep the bottle there” while he lay in bed.
Kevin Jnr claimed Wendy still plans to ‘return to TV’ despite believing his mother has ‘worked enough’ in her career.
Wendy’s family also claimed she was ‘losing memory’ after the star admitted she ‘didn’t know’ where she was while driving around New York, where she has lived for years.
Speaking to her cousin Alex Finnie, she told the host there were “random people around”, with Wendy adding: “Stolen money from me.”
Wendy hasn’t been seen in public for over a year, but in March she was spotted drinking during a raucous night out in New York, five months after leaving rehab.
She went club hopping in Manhattan, visiting places including Fresco by Scotto and gay bar The Townhouse, with a source saying Page six: “She kept saying she wanted to get drunk tonight.”
Naughty But Nice podcast host Rob Shuter told the publication that the star “looked lonely” as she sat alone, but then “lit up like a Christmas tree to see someone she knew.”
Of their meeting on his podcast, he said: “We had a bite to eat, we had a few drinks, but when we were getting ready to say goodbye, Wendy didn’t really want us to leave” before reportedly suggesting they go to a bar .
In October 2022, it was revealed that the star was ‘home and healing’ after returning to rehab to focus on ‘health and wellbeing’ following a series of erratic behavior (pictured last month)
A diner also told the publication: ‘She kept saying she wanted to get drunk tonight. She didn’t hide her drinking before claiming the star is moving to LA in three weeks.
The source added that Williams said, “She told this table she was looking for love — and just like in Sex and the City, she’s ready to fuck.”
Ex Real Housewives of New Jersey star Kim DePaola greeted her at the restaurant before the group headed to The Townhouse, where Williams allegedly asked the doorman, “Are you watching ‘The Wendy Williams Show?’ I’m Wendy Willams.’
The star’s presence at the club saw her posing for photos with fans.
DailyMail.com has contacted Wendy Williams’ representative for comment.
In October it was revealed that the star was ‘home and healing’ after returning to rehab to focus on ‘health and wellbeing’ following a series of erratic behavior and claims of substance abuse.
“Wendy is excited about the road ahead and looks forward to releasing her many projects,” former talk show host Shawn Zanotti said in a statement to E! News on Tuesday.
Zanotti continued, “She wants to say, “Thank you to my fans for your love, support and many prayers, I’m back and better than ever.”
Zanotti confirmed last month that Williams had entered a “wellness center” in an attempt to “manage her general health issues.”
She was “treated by a team of some of the best doctors in the world,” Zanotti told the outlet, adding that Williams was preparing “for a big comeback for the next level in her career with The Wendy Experience Podcast.”
No details about the facility or its location have been revealed.
Williams has previously received treatment at locations in New York and Florida.
At the time, a source told Page Six that Williams’ substance problems had “got worse” because “she went from (drinking) wine to real vodka.”
Williams has struggled to control her alcohol consumption, to the detriment of her overall health, which one source described as “failing.”
They added: ‘She can’t stop drinking and she needs to stop drinking; it will only make her health worse.”
Wendy’s documentary will be released on February 24 and 25 on Lifetime.