Wendy Williams won’t be returning to her eponymous talk show anytime soon, as she’s now been hospitalized for complications stemming from her Graves’ disease.
“As Wendy Williams Hunter previously shared, she fractured her shoulder and has been on the mend. Over the past few days, Wendy has experienced complications regarding her Graves’ Disease that will require treatment. Wendy will be under the strict supervision of her physicians, and as part of her care, there will be significant time spent in the hospital,” a statement from the Hunter family read. “Despite her strong desire to return, she is taking a necessary, extended break from her show to focus on her personal and physical well-being.
“Wendy thanks everyone in advance for their well-wishes and for respecting her and The Hunter Family’s privacy during this time.”
Distributor and producer Debmar-Mercury said “The Wendy Williams Show” will air repeat episodes the week of Jan. 21 and will produce original episodes with a variety of hosts starting the week of Jan. 28.
A source told Page Six: “Staff at [Williams’] show are eager to get back to work. We are all hoping she is well. The mood at the set is good . . . We just want Wendy to get better.”
“For over ten years, Wendy has been a vital part of the Debmar-Mercury family,” the company said in a statement. “We wholeheartedly support Wendy in this decision to take the time she needs and we will welcome her back with open arms the moment she is ready.”
Williams, 54, fractured her shoulder in December and then began to worry fans when she slurred her words on-air. She later apologized and blamed the painkillers she was taking. Since then, Williams has delayed her show’s return twice. It was originally supposed to return shortly after the New Year but was pushed back to Jan. 14. The show pushed the return date again to Jan. 21 in order to allow Williams to heal and come back at “200%.”
Because of her lengthy absence, fans have begun to question whether Williams is really treating her shoulder, especially given a report that exposed her husband’s alleged affair.