In a recent court filing, Wendy Williams’ guardian, Sabrina Morrissey, revealed that the former talk show host is now “cognitively impaired and permanently incapacitated” due to early-onset dementia. Williams, who was diagnosed last year, allegedly did not have the capacity to consent to being filmed for the Lifetime docuseries “Where Is Wendy Williams?” which premiered earlier this year. Morrissey argues that Williams was highly vulnerable during the production and was exploited through the documentary.
The complaint, filed in New York County Supreme Court, requests compensatory and punitive damages from A&E Television Networks, Lifetime Entertainment Services, EOne Productions, Creature Films, and the project’s executive producer, Mark Ford. Additionally, it seeks to prevent the defendants from airing the show any further. The case has since moved to federal court after being filed initially at the state level.
The four-part docuseries aimed to depict Williams’ life following the cancellation of “The Wendy Williams Show” in February 2022 due to her declining health. The production took place after Williams was placed under financial guardianship in August 2022, and filming continued until April 2023. Williams’ diagnosis of frontotemporal lobe dementia and primary progressive aphasia, which impacts behavior and language skills, raised concerns about her ability to engage with the project meaningfully.
Morrissey expressed her shock upon seeing the documentary’s trailer, stating she believed that the project would not move forward due to the lack of a finalized contract and Williams’ deteriorating health. After attempting to delay the release, Morrissey’s request for a restraining order was denied, with the judge not addressing the issue of Williams’ capacity to consent.
The complaint emphasizes that while the production profited “immensely” from airing the docuseries, Williams herself received a mere $82,000. Mark Ford, the executive producer, countered that the project had the necessary approvals from Williams’ guardian and legal representatives. Ford also expressed that the team’s priority shifted to concern for Williams’ well-being as filming progressed.
This situation underscores serious ethical questions surrounding the production of content involving individuals with cognitive impairments. It highlights the responsibility media companies have to ensure the dignity and autonomy of vulnerable individuals.
In the midst of this troubling situation, it can be hoped that significant discussions around consent and ethical practices in documentary filmmaking will lead to stricter regulations that better protect individuals like Williams. These developments may pave the way for a more compassionate approach to storytelling that prioritizes the welfare of subjects over sensationalism.