Kevin Hunter slams 'The Wendy Williams Show' producers for refusing to help TV host overcome her addiction
Kevin Hunter, Wendy Williams' ex-partner, has slammed the producers of ‘The Wendy Williams Show’ for failing to help the troubled talk show presenter overcome her addiction problems. Hunter claims that the producers would not "sign off" on allowing Williams to obtain assistance as the show's production firm, Debmar-Mercury, didn't want to get involved in any activity that would take Williams away from her renowned purple chair.
According to Page Six, Hunter said in a statement, "Debmar would not support Wendy’s recovery efforts with the family. They would not sign off on anything that would’ve helped her recovery efforts." The 50-year-old claimed Williams' family and Debmar-Mercury attended a sort of intervention when the group talked about ways to help Williams in her fight with alcoholism, with the business giving the single mother an all-or-nothing deal.
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He insisted, "They sat in a meeting with her whole family, including her now-deceased mom, and would not sign off on the recovery efforts that would’ve helped Wendy also get well and live and be sober. They basically said, ‘If you don’t stop drinking, you’re going to lose the show.’" Shirley Williams, Williams' mother, passed away in 2020, a year after the broadcaster divorced Hunter after realizing he had an affair with Sharina Hudson and had also given birth to a child with his now-fiancée.
In the midst of her divorce, the former daytime diva sought out living in a sober house, but an insider from the show revealed she wasn't fully recovered when she left the facility. The source recalled at that time, “It’s safe to say that when she came out of the sober house before [she divorced Hunter] that she still wasn’t capable of making all the decisions. She wasn’t capable then, but she was hiding it.”
Williams left 'The Wendy Williams Show' in September 2021 owing to a number of health issues, including Graves' disease complications, a pivotal Covid-19 case, and psychiatric hospitalization. Williams moved to Miami this year to be closer to her and Hunter's son, Kevin Hunter Jr, and to seek therapy at a different rehab center while going through her rehabilitation process.
According to a source close to Williams, “When she was in Florida, everybody was pitching in to keep her wellness at an all-time high, including [her ex] Kevin. She was doing well. She was showing signs of improvement.” However, a different insider claims that since moving back to New York City, Williams' alcohol and drug usage has been at an all-time high.
Williams has not discussed her problems with addiction, but in June she revealed that her lymphedema has left her feet with only five percent of their normal sensation, forcing her to use a wheelchair. Williams has stated that she will return with a podcast even if she is no longer on the air, but as per an insider, it is impossible given her failing health. According to Page Six, “She won’t be able to do a podcast with any sort of deal.”