‘Wendy Williams: The Movie’: Release date, plot, cast and all you need to know about Lifetime biopic on TV host

‘Wendy Williams: The Movie’ will premiere on January 30 at 8 pm ET on Lifetime network only
UPDATED JAN 31, 2021
(The Wendy Williams Show)
(The Wendy Williams Show)

‘The Wendy Williams Show’ host Wendy Williams now has her own biopic. The talk show host gave her fans a glimpse of the Lifetime movie ‘Wendy Williams: The Movie’ on her show as she watched the trailer for the first time with the audience. She also caught up with the director, Darren Grant. Are you planning on watching the movie? Here’s everything you need to know about it.

Release date

‘Wendy Williams: The Movie’ will premiere on January 30 at 8 pm ET on Lifetime network only. The movie will follow a two-hour documentary that’s believed to dwell into Williams’s life and career.

Plot

‘Wendy Williams: The Movie’ will follow the host’s journey from “scrappy upstart days in urban radio” to her serving as the host on her syndicated talk show. The biopic movie description reads, “Despite all the naysayers and obstacles Wendy encountered throughout her life, her strength and determination have allowed her to thrive.”

Cast

Ciera Payton

Ciera Payton (Getty Images)

‘The Walking Dead’ star, Ciera Payton, will be seen playing Wendy Williams in her biopic film. She is an American actress and writer best known for her roles in shows such as ‘General Hospital’, ‘Graceland’ and ‘NCIS’. She began her career in the movies with the film ‘Flight of Fury’ in 2006. Payton played the lead role as CIA agent Jessica opposite Steven Seagal. Payton featured in a couple more television series, including ‘The Closer’. In 2014 she starred along with Nicolas Cage in ‘The Runner’. She was last seen as Sylvia in ‘A Madea Family Funeral’. Payton is the recipient of the Los Angeles pioneer Woman Award.

The other actors include: Jamall Johnson as Eric B, Morocco Omari as Kevin Hunter, Nykeem Provo as Ricky Tony, Emy Aneke as DJ Red Alert and Rebecca Davis as program director. 

Creators

‘Wendy Williams: The Movie’ is directed by Darren Grant. It is produced by Front Street with Williams as the executive producer along with Will Packer and Shiela Ducksworth.

Wendy Williams (Getty Images)

Meanwhile, the documentary is produced by One and Creature Films, with Williams, Tara Long, Mark Ford, Kevin Lopez, Sarah Girgis and Joie Jacoby serving as the executive producers.

Trailer

The trailer shows some of the most significant moments from the host’s life, including her time as “shock jockette”. Besides her life on-screen, the video touches upon her personal life as it talks about pregnancy and troubled marriage to former husband Kevin Hunter. You can watch the official trailer here.

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