Wendy Williams’ Guardian SUES A&E Networks for Only Paying Her $82K Over Exploitative Documentary!

Wendy Williams’ Guardian SUES A&E Networks for Only Paying Her $82K Over Exploitative Documentary!

Wendy Williams’ guardian, Sabrina Morrissey, has filed a lawsuit against A&E Networks, Lifetime Entertainment Services, and others involved in producing the documentary Where Is Wendy Williams?, claiming they exploited the former talk show host while she was incapacitated.

The lawsuit, filed on September 16, 2024, in New York Supreme Court, comes months after the documentary aired in February.

Allegations

The complaint alleges that Wendy, 60, was portrayed in a “demeaning and embarrassing manner” without proper consent, despite her legal guardianship. Wendy has been under a court-ordered guardianship since May 2022, overseeing her finances and health due to a diagnosis of primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia.

Morrissey, with attorneys Roberta Kaplan and Tim Martin, argues that A&E and its production partners profited off Wendy’s vulnerable state. The lawsuit claims Wendy only received $82,000 from the documentary while the network made millions. It alleges that Williams was depicted as a “laughingstock” and “drunkard,” with unflattering footage of her in a wheelchair and with a bald head.

Issues of Consent

The lawsuit questions whether Wendy gave proper consent to participate in the documentary. The complaint claims that Wendy did not sign the contract and was incapacitated when filming occurred, thus unable to consent. Morrissey alleges she was not involved in the production process and only saw the contract months after it was executed.

Mark Ford, the documentary’s executive producer, previously stated that Wendy’s legal guardianship was in place during filming, and her attorneys had signed off on the project. However, Morrissey contends that Wendy never approved of the documentary’s content or its final cut before it aired.

Allegations of Misrepresentation

According to the lawsuit, the documentary falsely claimed that Wendy served as an executive producer. Morrissey also alleges that Williams was shown on-camera in a state that made her appear “disheveled” and mentally unfit. The suit claims that the producers capitalized on Wendy’s health issues for their own profit.

The documentary aired on February 24 and 25, attracting over 6 million viewers. However, Morrissey insists that the profits from the documentary should go toward Wendy’s medical care, which she will need for the rest of her life.

A&E’s Response and Ongoing Guardianship

A&E has yet to make a public statement regarding the lawsuit. The case raises concerns about how individuals under guardianship, like Wendy, can be exploited when proper legal protections are not followed.

Wendy’s guardianship was first put in place after Wells Fargo froze her accounts in 2022, citing concerns about her mental state and the risk of financial exploitation. The bank successfully petitioned the court for temporary financial guardianship, which led to Morrissey’s permanent appointment as guardian.

Wendy’s son, Kevin Hunter Jr., has denied allegations of exploiting his mother, stating that all financial decisions made while she was in his care were done with her consent.

As the legal battle unfolds, Wendy Williams remains out of the public eye, focusing on her health. The lawsuit aims to stop A&E from further airing or distributing the documentary and seeks to recover damages caused by the exploitation of Wendy during her vulnerable state.

 

Stay Connected With All About The Tea: Twitter Ι Instagram Ι YouTube Ι Facebook Ι Send Us Tips