Wendy Williams’ conservator has taken legal action against A&E Networks, Lifetime, and the creators of her docuseries, claiming that she was severely underpaid compared to the alleged profits the networks made off the show. Court documents obtained by Page Six show that Williams only made $82,000 while the networks and producers likely made millions from the show titled “Where Is Wendy Williams?” The complaint alleges that Williams was exploited for her heartbreaking story and received a minimal amount despite the profits made by others.
Despite participating in filming sessions for the docuseries on numerous occasions, Williams only received $82,000, which the conservator claims is an insufficient amount for the use of footage that portrayed her in a vulnerable state. The conservator argues that while Williams was shown in a confusing state of dementia and emotional distress on camera, the networks and producers profited immensely from airing the program. Williams was frequently seen breaking down into tears on camera, including scenes where she expressed concerns about her finances and claimed to have no money.
The conservator has argued that Williams was already in a vulnerable mental state when she filmed the docuseries. In February, it was revealed that Williams had been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia and aphasia, making her particularly susceptible to exploitation. The new complaint alleges that the defendants deliberately destroyed Williams’ credibility and image while she was incapacitated and unable to consent or avoid being filmed. The conservator claims that the networks and producers unjustly enriched themselves by millions of dollars while exploiting Williams’ illness for their gain.
In response to the situation, Williams has assembled a robust legal team, including civil rights attorney Roberta Kaplan and her partner Tim Martin, who have experience representing high-profile clients. Page Six reached out to representatives for the defendants but did not receive an immediate response. The lawsuit highlights the ethical concerns surrounding the exploitation of vulnerable individuals for the sake of entertainment and profit. It raises questions about the responsibilities of networks and producers when it comes to portraying individuals with mental health issues or other vulnerabilities on screen.
