WENDY Williams “REFUSED” to show her face during her Good Morning America interview on Thursday despite the network’s plan to have the ailing star “on camera,” a source exclusively told The Celeb Report.
The 57-year-old shared her plans to return to The Wendy Williams Show during the phone interview.
Wendy made a rare appearance when she was interviewed by GMA’s T.J. Holmes.
While the network wanted Wendy to appear onscreen for the interview, a source exclusively told The Celeb Report that she refused.
The insider shared: “She could see him on the phone, but he couldn’t see her. But they did it over Zoom basically.
“And her audio is good, but she would not be on camera.”
Read More on Wendy Williams
Noting that the interview was pre-taped on Wednesday, the informant continued: “They asked to send a camera but she refused to be on camera.”
During the interview, Wendy insisted that she is returning to The Wendy Williams Show in about three months.
However, it was previously reported that the show has been canceled and guest host Sherri Shepherd, 54, nabbed her own talk show in Wendy’s time slot.
The source continued: “None of it makes sense to say she is coming back to the show, but I don’t think she’s lying.
“I don’t think she understands the complexity of this.”
WENDY’S RETURN
At one point in the interview, T.J. asked Wendy if she is physically and mentally able to return to The Wendy Williams Show tomorrow.
She said she’s “very comfortable” to return, adding that “everybody’s ready” for the show to come back.
Wendy continued: “Give me about three months.
“There are private things that I have to deal with and then I’ll be ready to come back and be free and ready to do my thing.”
The interview concluded with Wendy telling her fans: “Keep watching because I’m going to be back on The Wendy Show bigger and brighter than ever.”
The insider added that Wendy is “confused” and thinks she can call the show’s production company, Debmar-Mercury, and get her show back at any time.
Additionally, the source revealed Wendy asked for Robin Roberts, 61, to interview her during the segment.
Robin wasn’t available, so the show had T.J. conduct the interview after Wendy “requested to only do it with a person of color.”
SHERRI’S NEW SHOW
Wendy announced her daytime talk show return after it was revealed that Sherri is getting her own show in the time slot.
Late last month on The Wendy Williams Show, guest host Sherri told fans: “Starting in September I am starting my own talk show!”
After her big announcement, the show’s press team sent out the official release that made it clear- Wendy is not returning to her own show.
In the release, Debmar-Mercury co-presidents Mort Marcus and Ira Bernstein commented: “We all have a great love and affinity for Wendy, who grew into a true icon during her 12 incredible seasons.
“Since Wendy is still not available to host the show as she continues on her road to recovery, we believe it is best for our fans, stations and advertising partners to start making this transition now. We hope to be able to work with Wendy again in the future, and continue to wish her a speedy and full recovery.”
HEALTH UPDATE
Wendy appeared on GMA just days after The Celeb Report exclusively reported that the talk show host “no longer needs a wheelchair.”
One source close to the ailing host claimed to The Celeb Report that being in the Florida surrounded by loved ones coupled with some important lifestyle changes has done wonders for Wendy’s health.
The insider said: “She looks good! She isn’t fully back, but she seems like 80% of her old self. In another couple of months, and I bet she’s totally back.”
The host has made some lifestyle adjustments in her recovery that have helped her along the way, the insider claimed.
“Wendy has vowed not to drink and she is eating much healthier these days and it shows, her legs aren’t nearly as swollen,” the source added.
She has been spending quality time with her son, Kevin Jr., and other family members.
Earlier this month, Wendy’s younger brother Tommy, 54, posted a photo with the famous host and a slew of other close family members in Florida.
MAKING MOVES
In addition to revealing that Wendy is in good health, the source also said she is wheelchair free.
“She is planning her next move. She won’t be in Florida much longer, she is coming back to New York, and soon,” they revealed.
Additionally, the host reportedly wants back on TV and to work with her old team again.
“Wendy is making plans to make a big comeback,” the source insisted.
Read More on The US Sun
While the insider is optimistic about the host making a full recovery, The Celeb Report has previously reported Wendy faced several health crises in the past year.
She was hospitalized for a psychological evaluation in September and caught a case of breakthrough COVID, while she suffers from lymphedema as well as Graves’ disease.
