Wendy Williams, the beloved television personality, was recently spotted enjoying a night out in New York City after a tumultuous few days that included a hospitalization and a psychiatric evaluation. On Wednesday evening, Williams was seen leaving Max Tucci’s Tucci restaurant in the NoHo neighborhood, where she appeared to be in high spirits. She smiled brightly for photographers, dressed casually in a green and orange bomber jacket, black top, tights under jean shorts, and black fur boots. The outing marked a moment of normalcy for Williams, who has been navigating a series of challenges in recent months. According to an insider who spoke to Page Six, Williams had a wonderful time at the restaurant, where she was seen writing in her journal and enjoying the company of her niece, Alex Finnie, and a young man. The source also revealed that Williams was set to appear on The View the following day, a testament to her ongoing efforts to stay engaged in her career and public life despite her personal struggles.
However, Williams’ enjoyable evening took an unexpected turn when it was reported that her outing may have caused trouble. According to TMZ, the assisted living facility where Williams resides filed a police report after her niece, Alex Finnie, allegedly violated the law by taking her out for dinner. Finnie was said to have "evaded staff" at the facility to take Williams out, raising concerns about the protocols in place for her care. This incident comes on the heels of Williams being transported to Lenox Hill Hospital on Monday for a wellness check. The situation escalated when Williams dropped a note to paparazzi from her fifth-story room, pleading for help. Photographers captured images of her waving from her bedroom window until police arrived to escort her out of the building. While the specifics of what prompted the wellness check remain unclear, the events underscore the ongoing challenges Williams has faced in her personal and professional life.
Following her hospitalization, Williams underwent a psychiatric evaluation, after which she was reportedly deemed "alert and oriented" and scored a "10 out of 10" on a capacity test, according to TMZ. These results are expected to play a role in the ongoing court case concerning Williams’ guardianship, which has been in place since 2022. The guardianship has been a point of contention for Williams, who has expressed her desire to regain control over her life and finances. Additionally, Williams is awaiting a retest for frontotemporal dementia, a condition she was diagnosed with in 2023 but has since denied having. Her medical journey has added another layer of complexity to her already challenging situation, as she navigates both her health and her legal battles.
In a recent call to Good Day New York on Tuesday, Williams opened up about her current living situation and her determination to end her guardianship. She revealed that her number one priority is regaining independence and stressed that she passed her recent psych test with "flying colors." Williams also shared details about her life in the memory unit of her assisted living facility, which she described as being for individuals who "don’t remember anything." She expressed frustration over the restrictive conditions, noting that even simple activities, like visiting the gym on the third floor, require permission from her guardian. Williams went on to explain that her financial decisions are also heavily controlled, with her guardian approving even minor expenses. "My money is, like, in the air," she said, highlighting the sense of limbo she feels she is in. Despite these difficulties, Williams remains hopeful about her future, expressing her eagerness to continue living in New York City and pursuing her career once her guardianship is lifted.
Williams’ guardian, Sabrina Morrissey, has pushed back against claims that the facility is akin to a "prison," a term Williams has used to describe her living situation. Through a statement provided by her lawyers to TMZ, Morrissey dismissed the allegations as "untrue" and "inaccurate," emphasizing that Williams is free to call and visit her family whenever she wishes. However, Morrissey herself has come under scrutiny. According to The US Sun, she is currently being investigated by Adult Protective Services for alleged elder abuse. The investigation reportedly stems from an incident in February when Morrissey allegedly sent Williams to visit family in Florida without providing her with sufficient funds. This latest development adds another layer of complexity to the already contentious situation surrounding Williams’ care and well-being.
As Williams continues to navigate her legal and personal challenges, her recent outings and public appearances serve as a reminder of her resilience and determination. Despite the obstacles she faces, Williams remains a figure of strength and defiance, refusing to let her circumstances define her. Her upcoming appearance on The View and her expressed desire to return to work signal her unwavering commitment to her career and her desire to reclaim her independence. While the road ahead is undoubtedly fraught with challenges, Williams’ ability to maintain her spirit and sense of humor in the face of adversity continues to inspire her fans and supporters. Whether she is smiling for photographers, writing in her journal, or advocating for herself in court, Wendy Williams remains a testament to the power of perseverance and the unyielding human spirit.
