The recent broadcast of the two-part Lifetime docuseries titled “Where Is Wendy Williams” has sparked criticism over its portrayal of the former TV personality. Clips from the series depict Williams in disoriented states, leading to allegations of exploitation and misrepresentation by her publicist, Shawn Zanotti.
The recent broadcast of the two-part Lifetime docuseries titled “Where Is The Wendy Williams” has ignited a firestorm of criticism regarding its depiction of the former TV personality. Clips from the series show Williams appearing disoriented, including instances where she fails to recognize her manager and confrontations over empty liquor bottles found in her apartment.
Shawn Zanotti, who has served as Williams’ publicist since 2021, has strongly condemned the documentary, alleging exploitation of Williams and a misrepresentation of the agreed-upon project. Zanotti claims Williams was initially enthusiastic about the documentary, viewing it as an opportunity to share her story. However, she contends that the final product diverged significantly from the original vision.
The project was pitched to Zanotti in 2022 by Creature Films and eOne Television, the same production companies behind a previous Lifetime documentary on Williams titled “Wendy Williams: What a Mess!” Zanotti asserts that the aired documentary deviates substantially from the project discussed and agreed upon, focusing excessively on negative moments while neglecting the positive aspects of Williams’ life.
Adding complexity to the situation, Williams’ management team released a statement just one day before the documentary aired, announcing her entry into a treatment facility and diagnosis with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia. Despite her absence, Zanotti confirmed her continued employment as Williams’ publicist.
In an interview with TODAY.com, the filmmakers admitted to being unaware of Williams’ diagnosis during production but defended their decision to proceed with the project. They claimed to have approached the story with sensitivity and responsibility, though Zanotti disputed this, alleging the series prioritized sensationalism over an honest portrayal of Williams’ struggles.
Zanotti further claimed her concerns about the documentary were disregarded by Williams’ guardian, Sabrina Morrissey, and the production company. She expressed disappointment with the series’ sensationalistic focus and its failure to accurately represent Williams’ circumstances.
Mark Ford, the executive producer of the docuseries, maintained that Williams and her representatives were fully involved and aware of the documentary’s content. However, Zanotti argued that the series prioritized spectacle over Williams’ well-being and portrayed her unfairly.
Zanotti also contested her portrayal in the series, particularly a scene depicting Williams berating her. She emphasized that the documentary failed to capture the positive moments in their relationship and misrepresented their interactions.
Williams’ health struggles have been a subject of public interest since her on-air fainting incident in 2017. Her battles with addiction and Graves’ disease have been well-documented, leading to periods of absence from her show. Amidst ongoing health concerns, including her financial guardianship by Wells Fargo, Williams’ public appearances have been limited.
Zanotti expressed concern about the documentary’s impact on Williams’ legacy and questioned who truly had her best interests at heart. She reiterated that the documentary did not align with Williams’ original intentions and urged a reconsideration of the portrayal of her life struggles.
The controversy surrounding “Where Is Wendy Williams” raises broader questions about the ethics of documentary filmmaking and the portrayal of vulnerable public figures amidst their personal challenges.
