Wendy Williams in 2019 at The Blonds x Moulin Rouge!.Photo:Paul Bruinooge/Getty
Paul Bruinooge/Getty
Speaking about her aunt onThe ViewThursday, Finnie explained the current contact dynamics while Williams, 59, isreceiving treatment for cognitive functioning. The conversation came on the same day that the former talk show host’s medical team said shehas been diagnosedwith primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia.
“There were conversations early on in the beginning in terms of with the family and trying to, I guess, gather information to get a hold and a perspective on where she’s at and what they need to know,” Finnie said. “And my mom actually says it in the[Lifetime] documentary, she says it, and all of a sudden there was just this wall that went down and the family was blocked out. It was April of 2022 and the contact from that point on has been so limited.”
Roy Rochlin/WireImage
Finnie said Williams is required to call her family members from a blocked phone number, meaning they can’t reach out directly to her. “And I say this honestly, we went through birthdays, we went through the holidays, we went through illness,” Finnie added. “There was a period when my grandfather was in the hospital — there was no way to contact her and let her know what was going on with her 93-year-old father.”
Finnie said the latest outreach from Williams came earlier this week but she was out to dinner and missed the phone call. Because Williams' phone number was blocked, Finnie couldn’t call back. “She went into where she is now between April and May of last year,” Finnie said. “We went months before we were finally able to get a call.”
On Thursday, Williams’ medical team announced her dementia diagnosis via press release. The two conditions are the same variations thatBruce Willishas previously been diagnosed with.
Wendy Williams in 2020 at the Spotify x Cash Money Host Premiere on New Cash Order.Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for Spotify
Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for Spotify
“Wendy is still able to do many things for herself,” the team said in a statement. “Most importantly she maintains her trademark sense of humor and is receiving the care she requires to make sure she is protected and that her needs are addressed. She is appreciative of the many kind thoughts and good wishes being sent her way.”
Of the treatment she’s been receiving, Finnie told PEOPLEThe Wendy Williams Showhost’s health has been improving. “She sounds really great. To hear my aunt now in terms of just how clear she is, just how focused she is on the importance of family and the reality in terms of facing and understanding where she’s at physically and mentally and emotionally, it is like a 180," she said.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Where Is Wendy Williams?premieres Saturday at 8 p.m. and concludes at the same time the next day on Lifetime.
source: people.com
