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For other people named Wendy Williams, see Wendy Williams (disambiguation).

Wendy Williams
File:Wendy Williams, 2011.png
Williams hosting her show in 2011
Born
Wendy Joan Williams

(1964-07-18) July 18, 1964 (age 60)
Ocean Township, New Jersey, U.S.
Alma materNortheastern University
Occupation(s)Radio personality, television host, actress, producer, author, comedian
Years active1989–present
Known forThe Wendy Williams Show, The Wendy Williams Experience
Spouse
Kevin Hunter
​
(m. 1997)​
Children1
Websitewww.wendyshow.com

Wendy Williams Hunter (born Wendy Joan Williams; July 18, 1964)[1] is an American television host, actress, author, fashion designer, and former radio personality. She has hosted the nationally syndicated television talk show, The Wendy Williams Show, since 2008. She has become one of the most popular female hosts in daytime television.

Prior to television, Williams was a radio DJ and host and quickly became known in New York as a "shock jockette". She gained notoriety for her on-air spats with celebrities and was the subject of the 2006 VH1 reality TV series, The Wendy Williams Experience, which broadcast events surrounding her radio show. She was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2009.

She has written a New York Times best-selling autobiography and six other books, and has created various product lines including a fashion line, a jewelry collection and a wig line. On July 18, 2014, which was Wendy's 50th birthday, she was honored by the council of Asbury Park with the renaming of the street she grew up in to Wendy Williams Way.

Early life

Williams was born on July 18, 1964, in Ocean Township, Monmouth County, New Jersey, a suburb of Asbury Park.[1] She is the second of three children born to parents Thomas and Shirley Williams,[1] She grew up in the Wayside section of Ocean Township.[2] Williams graduated from Ocean Township High School,[3] and from 1982 to 1986, she attended Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts, where she graduated[4] with a B.A. in communications and was a DJ for the college radio station WRBB.

Personal life

In her biography, Wendy's Got the Heat, she uses the pseudonym Robert Morris III to refer to her first husband and describes him as a salesperson.[5] Williams and her first husband have since divorced.[6] In 1997, Williams married her second husband Kevin Hunter. Williams gave birth to their son, Kevin Hunter Jr. on August 18, 2000.

Radio career

Williams began her career working for WVIS in the United States Virgin Islands.[4] In 1989, Williams began at urban contemporary WRKS (now WEPN-FM) in New York City as a substitute disc jockey. WRKS hired her full-time for its morning show. A year later, Williams moved to an afternoon drive-time shift, eventually winning the Billboard Award for "Best On-Air Radio Personality" in 1993.[citation needed] In December 1994, Emmis Broadcasting purchased WRKS and switched Williams to the company's other New York property, hip-hop formatted WQHT ("Hot 97"), as WRKS was reformatted into an urban adult contemporary outlet. She was fired from Hot 97 in 1998.[2]

Williams was hired by a Philadelphia urban station, WUSL ("Power 99FM"). Her husband, Kevin Hunter, became her agent.[2] She was very open about her personal life on air, discussing her miscarriages, breast enhancement surgery,[2] and former drug addiction,[4] and helped the station move from 14th place in the ratings to 2nd.[2]

In 2001, Williams returned to the New York airwaves when WBLS hired her full-time for a syndicated 2–6 p.m. time slot. Williams' friend, MC Spice of Boston, offered his voiceover services to the show, often adding short rap verses tailored specifically for Williams' show. The New York Times stated that her "show works best when its elements – confessional paired with snarkiness – are conflated," and cited a 2003 interview with Whitney Houston as an example.[7] During the highly publicized interview[8] that "went haywire" and included "a lot of bleeped language", Williams "asked [Houston], insistently, about her drug and spending habits".[9]

By 2008, she was syndicated in Redondo Beach, California; Shreveport, Louisiana; Wilmington, Delaware; Toledo, Ohio; Columbia, South Carolina; Emporia, Virginia; Lake Charles, Louisiana; Tyler, Texas; and Alexandria, Louisiana, among other markets.[citation needed]

Williams left her radio show in 2009 to focus on her television program and spend more time with her family. She was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame.[10]

Lawsuit

In 2008, Nicole Spence, talent booker for The Wendy Williams Experience, filed papers with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission suing Williams. Spence claimed Williams' husband, Kevin Hunter, demanded sex from Spence on many occasions and created a hostile work environment by threatening and assaulting his wife on company premises.[11][12][13] On June 11, 2008, Spence filed a sexual-harassment lawsuit against Williams, Hunter, and Inner City Broadcasting Corporation in federal court in Manhattan.[14] Both Williams and Hunter deny the charges.[12][15]

Television

The Wendy Williams Show

AMV 53rd Street Studio where the show was produced from Season 1–3

In 2008, Debmar-Mercury offered Williams do to a six-week television trial of her own talk show. On July 14, 2008, Williams debuted her daytime talk show, The Wendy Williams Show, in four cities during the summer of 2008. During the tryout, The New York Times hailed the show as "breakthrough in daytime".[16]

After a successful run, Fox signed a deal with Debmar-Mercury to broadcast the show nationally on their stations beginning in July 2009. In addition, BET picked up cable rights to broadcast the show at night. In 2010, BET started airing the show internationally in 54 countries through BET International.[17]

Williams has received multiple nominations at the Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Host and the show itself was for Outstanding Talk Show/Entertainment.[18] The show attracts 2.4 million daily viewers on average, with Williams trading off daily with Ellen DeGeneres as the number one female host on daytime television.[19]

“The Wendy Williams Show” has been renewed through the 2019-20 television season on the Fox Television Stations.The renewal will keep “Wendy” on air through its 11th season. During the November 2015 sweeps period, the talk show finished either No. 1 or 2 in the key demo of women 25-54 in 55% of the U.S. and 20 of the top-25 markets.[20]

Other television appearances

Williams has made appearances in the television series Martin (1992) and in the soap opera One Life to Live (2011).

Williams filled in for Jodi Applegate on WNYW's morning television show, Good Day New York (2007), and hosted a game show for GSN called Love Triangle (2011) for which she and her husband Kevin Hunter served as executive producers.[21]

Williams played a judge on the Lifetime network show Drop Dead Diva (2011), was a contestant on Dancing with the Stars (2011),[22] and served as a guest judge on The Face (2013).[23]

In February 2013, it was announced that Williams and her husband and manager, Kevin, were launching a reality television production company, Wendy Williams Productions.[24] that will produce unscripted content, including reality television and game shows.[25] Williams was an executive producer on the show Celebrities Undercover (2014).[23]

Williams also executive produced the Lifetime biopic Aaliyah: The Princess of R&B, which premiered on November 15, 2014.[26] In September 2015, documentary series entitled Death By Gossip with Wendy Williams premiered on the Investigation Discovery channel, both hosted and produced by Williams.[27]

Film

Williams appeared in the film adaptation of Steve Harvey's book, Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man, titled Think Like a Man (2012) and its sequel, Think Like a Man Too (2014).

In 2012, it was announced Williams would enter into a "production alliance" with producers Suzanne de Passe and Madison Jones to create movies and television shows aimed at multicultural audiences.[28][29] These projects will appear under the heading "Wendy Williams presents"[29] and their first project will be VH1 adaptation of a Star Jones novel.[28]

Filmography

Film
Television

Theater

In 2013, Williams announced she was going to play the role of Matron "Mama" Morton on the Broadway musical Chicago.[30][31] Williams officially began her tenure on July 2[32] and finished her 7-week run on August 11, 2013. Her preparations for the musical were documented in the TV Guide docuseries, "Wendy Williams: How You Doin', Broadway?!",[33] which was produced by her own production company, Wendy Williams Productions.[34]

Business

Products

HSN Clothing Line

By partnering with the Home Shopping Network (HSN), Williams debuted a line of dresses, pants, sweaters and skirts fit for the everyday woman.The household name media mogul debuted her HSN Clothing line on March 28, 2015. The debut was a "sell-out success" and Williams even told viewers on her talk show that according to HSN, the debut was their most watched premiere since the onset of the program. The Wendy Williams line is sold exclusively at HSN.[35]

Adorn

Williams sells a line of jewelry products on the home shopping network, QVC, called "Adorn by Wendy Williams".[36]

Williams and her husband, Kevin Hunter, commissioned the Chinese-based manufacturing firm, Max Harvest International Holdings, to make 12,140 pairs of shoes bearing the logo of her brand, Adorn.[37] The owners of Max Harvest International Holdings were said to have gone into hiding after the owner of the shoe factory who made the shoes kidnapped one of their managers and held the man prisoner for two weeks before releasing him, and Williams' failure to pay was cited the reason, reported by the New York Daily News.[38] The manager and his wife retained lawyer Staci Riordan of Los Angeles.[39] Their representative says they've been in negotiations for several months in order to reach a settlement.[37] Williams declined to comment on the matter.[39]

Endorsements

Williams was previously a spokesperson for Georges Veselle champagne.[40] She posed for PETA's "I'd Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur", ad campaign in 2012.[41]

Books

Williams is a seven-time New York Times best-seller and has published several books, including:

Non-fiction

  • Wendy's Got the Heat (2003), coauthored with Karen Hunter[42] Atria; 1 edition (August 5, 2003)
  • The Wendy Williams Experience (2005)[43]
  • Ask Wendy: Straight-Up Advice for All the Drama in Your Life (2013) ISBN 9780062268389

Fiction

  • Drama Is Her Middle Name: The Ritz Harper Chronicles, Vol. 1 (2006), coauthored with Karen Hunter[44]
  • Is the Bitch Dead, Or What?: The Ritz Harper Chronicles, Book 2 (2007), coauthored with Karen Hunter[45]
  • Ritz Harper Goes to Hollywood! (Ritz Harper Chronicles) (2009), coauthored with Zondra Hughes[46]
  • Hold Me in Contempt: A Romance (2014) ISBN 978-0062268419

Awards

  • Radio Personality of the Year awards from Billboard, Black Radio Exclusive, and Radio & Records industry magazines[10][47]
  • 2009: named to the National Radio Hall of Fame[10][48]
  • Hosted the 2013 Soul Train Awards Red Carpet[49]
  • Hosted the 2014 Soul Train Awards in Las Vegas, which aired on November 30, 2014.[50]
  • Nominated for The 42nd & 43rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Talk Show/Entertainment and Outstanding Talk Show Host.[51]

Stand-up comedy

Before Wendy turned 50, stand up comedy was on her bucket list

  • In 2014 Lipshtick called Williams to participate in their first all-female based comedy series at the Venetian in Las Vegas
  • Williams made her sold out comedy debut on July 11, 2014[52]
  • Williams comedy tour was called "The Sit-down Comedy Tour."
  • Williams returned to Lipshtick on October 31, 2014 and November 1, 2014 after she made a sold out debut in July.[53]
  • Williams hosted her "How You Laughin'" Comedy Series at NJPAC on November 15, 2014 featuring Luenell, Jonathan Martin, Pat Brown, Hadiyah Robinson, and Meme Simpson.[54]
  • In 2015, Williams announced a 12 city comedy tour called, The Wendy Williams Sit Down Tour: Too Real For Stand Up.

References

  1. ^ a b c "Wendy Williams Biography". biography.com. Retrieved May 14, 2013.
  2. ^ a b c d e "How New York's Shock Jockette Got Supersized", New York, October 16, 2005, Accessed September 18, 2006
  3. ^ Neglia, Ashley V. "Mixing Media", New Jersey Monthly, June 9, 2008, Accessed July 22, 2008
  4. ^ a b c Lola Ogunnaike (October 3, 2003). Drama Queen. Vibe Media Group. pp. 160–. Retrieved March 25, 2013.
  5. ^ Williams, Wendy; Karen Hunter (2004). Wendy's Got the Heat. Simon and Schuster. p. 105. ISBN 9780743470223. Retrieved January 12, 2013.
  6. ^ "How New York's Shock Jockette Got Supersized". New York. Retrieved January 12, 2013.
  7. ^ Drake, Monica (July 13, 2008). "TELEVISION; A Radio Shock Jock Who's Ready for TV". The New York Times. p. 17. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  8. ^ "Omarosa: Wendy Williams a 'Fake and a Phony'". Fox News Channel. July 23, 2008. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  9. ^ Alessandra Stanley (July 22, 2008). "Talk Show Is Less Talk, More Alpha-Female Action". The New York Times. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  10. ^ a b c "National Radio Hall of Fame: Wendy Williams, Talkshow Host".
  11. ^ Fenner, Austin (March 25, 2008). "DJ'S Hubby Beat Her: Aide". The New York Post. Retrieved February 12, 2013.
  12. ^ a b "Court Papers: DJ Wendy Williams' Husband Beat Her, Propositioned Aide for Sex", Fox News Channel, March 25, 2008, Accessed July 22, 2008
  13. ^ Parham, Marti (July 21, 2008). "Wendy Williams: Unapologetic Radio Host Gets Her Shot At Network TV". Jet. Retrieved March 25, 2013.
  14. ^ "N.Y. radio host Wendy Williams sued for harassment". USA Today. June 12, 2008. Retrieved March 25, 2013.
  15. ^ "Buzz Briefs: Jay-Z, R. Kelly", CBS News, June 12, 2008
  16. ^ Stanley, Alessandra (July 22, 2008). "Talk Show Is Less Talk, More Alpha-Female Action". The New York Times. Retrieved September 24, 2016.
  17. ^
  18. ^ "Wendy Williams Nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award! | The Wendy Williams Show". Wendyshow.com. April 1, 2015. Retrieved January 5, 2016.
  19. ^ Rovzar, Chris (March 4, 2015). "How Wendy Williams Became Daytime Talk's Unlikely Survivor". Bloomberg Businessweek. Retrieved September 23, 2016.
  20. ^ Laura Prudom (January 19, 2016). "Wendy Williams Show Renewed Through Season 11". Variety. Retrieved October 18, 2016.
  21. ^ [1] Archived 2011-01-22 at the Wayback Machine
  22. ^ [2] Archived 2011-03-04 at the Wayback Machine
  23. ^ a b Essex, Myeisha (February 5, 2013). "Wendy Williams Inks First Look Deal with Oxygen". EurWeb. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
  24. ^ Essex, Myeisha (February 6, 2013). "Wendy Williams Launches Reality TV Production Company". Clutch Magazine. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
  25. ^ Marechal, AJ (February 5, 2013). "Talkshow maven pacts with manager and Debmar Mercury". Variety. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
  26. ^ "About". Aaliyah: The Princess of R&B. Retrieved April 14, 2015.
  27. ^ Prudom, Laura (August 19, 2015). "Investigation Discovery Greenlights Series with Barbara Walters, Wendy Williams". Variety. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  28. ^ a b Manuel-Logan, Ruth (June 30, 2012). "Wendy Williams, Suzanne DePasse Team Up on Multi-Picture Venture". Blast Zone Online. Retrieved April 12, 2013.
  29. ^ a b Bock, Alex (June 28, 2012). "Wendy Williams Aligns With de Passe Jones Entertainment for Scripted Ventures". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 12, 2013.
  30. ^ "Wendy in Chicago on Broadway!". The Wendy Williams Show. Retrieved April 14, 2015.
  31. ^ Andrew Gans (April 15, 2013). "Wendy Williams Will Join Cast of Broadway's Chicago This Summer". Playbill. Retrieved April 14, 2015.
  32. ^ Marc Snetiker (July 2, 2013). "Talk Show Queen Wendy Williams Brings Sass and Class to Her Big Broadway Bow in Chicago". Broadway.com. Retrieved April 14, 2015.
  33. ^ Jethro Nededog (July 17, 2013). "Wendy Williams Reality Series, John Rich Variety Show Coming to TV Guide Network". TheWrap. Retrieved April 14, 2015.
  34. ^ Williams, Brennan (July 17, 2013). "Wendy Lands Another Network Show". The Huffington Post.
  35. ^ "Wendy Williams On What Inspired Her HSN Clothing Line". MadameNoire.com. April 2, 2015. Retrieved January 5, 2016.
  36. ^ "Jewelry — Shop for Jewelry Online —". Qvc.com. Retrieved January 5, 2016.
  37. ^ a b "Wendy Williams Runs Out on a $419K China Shoe Bill!". EurWeb. November 29, 2012. Retrieved December 14, 2012.
  38. ^ Ross, Barbara (November 26, 2012). "Wendy Williams' failure to pay $400K reason for kidnapping". Daily News. New York. Retrieved December 14, 2012.
  39. ^ a b Rogers, Abby (November 28, 2012). "Wendy Williams' Massive Shoe Bill Allegedly Led to Kidnapping in China". Business Insider. Retrieved February 11, 2013.[dead link‍]
  40. ^ Stapleton, Susan. "Wendy Williams Talks Buffets, Fans and Nightlife in Vegas – Eater Vegas". Vegas.eater.com. Retrieved January 5, 2016.
  41. ^ "Media 'Queen' Wendy Williams Strips for PETA," New York Post, November 15, 2012.
  42. ^ Wendy's Got the Heat. Atria. 2003. ISBN 0743470214. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |authors= ignored (help)
  43. ^ The Wendy Williams Experience (1 ed.). Dutton Adult. September 6, 2005. ISBN 0525948376. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |authors= ignored (help)
  44. ^ Drama is Her Middle Name: The Ritz Harper Chronicles. Vol. 1 (First ed.). Harlen Moon. June 20, 2006. ISBN 0739470043. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |authors= ignored (help)
  45. ^ Is the Bitch Dead, Or What?: The Ritz Harper Chronicles Book 2. Broadway. February 13, 2007. ISBN 0767924878. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |authors= ignored (help)
  46. ^ Ritz Harper Goes to Hollywood! (Ritz Harper Chronicles) (BCE ed.). Pocket books. 2009. ISBN 1615231307. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |authors= ignored (help)
  47. ^ "Wendy Williams-The Queen of All Media". AALBC.com. Retrieved April 12, 2011.
  48. ^ [3] Archived 2010-02-21 at the Wayback Machine
  49. ^ "He Got Soul: Dave Koz". BET. Retrieved April 14, 2015.
  50. ^ Catherine Taibi (October 6, 2014). "Wendy Williams To Host 2014 Soul Train Awards". The Huffington Post. Retrieved April 14, 2015.
  51. ^ Leslie Furuta (March 31, 2015). "The National Academy Of Television Arts & Sciences Announces The 42nd Annual Daytime Emmy®award Nominations" (Press release). New York: The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved April 14, 2015.
  52. ^ "Wendy Williams Kicks Off 'Lipshtick – The Perfect Shade of Stand-Up' at The Venetian Las Vegas". VegasNews.com. July 14, 2014. Retrieved April 14, 2015.
  53. ^ "Wendy Williams Returns to LA in LIPSHTICK – THE PERFECT SHADE OF STAND UP on 10/31011/1". BWW Comedy. August 19, 2014. Retrieved April 14, 2015.
  54. ^ [4] Archived 2014-11-03 at the Wayback Machine
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