WENDY WILLIAMS
Mother, wife, media mogul, entrepreneur, performer and best- selling author, Wendy Williams is best known for her long- running talk show “The Wendy Williams Show”. The nationally syndicated weekday program now airs in 52 countries, on BET at midnight, and launched its sixth season on September 15, 2014 delivering the shows highest ratings ever and ranked #1 in all syndicated talk shows.
“The Wendy Williams Show” is the provocative, must-see talk show in daytime. Taped live in New York City, viewers delight over Williams’ distinctive and entertaining personality, as well as a diverse mix of interviews with celebrity guests from television, film, music and sports. Popular segments include “Hot Topics,” in which she delivers her own unpredictable, honest and authentic take on the most talked about headlines and “Ask Wendy,” in which she offers real advice to audience members looking for guidance to everyday problems.
“The Wendy Williams Show” is a reflection of its star and host; the vibrant colors and upbeat soundtrack matches Williams’ own personality and spirited sense of humor. The focus on entertainment and pop culture reflects Williams’ passion for those topics. Hailed by the New York Post as “daytime TV’s favorite guilty pleasure,” Williams’ interviews countless celebrity guests from the perspective of a fan, as she asks the questions that her audience wants to know.
Live out of NYC, “The Wendy Williams Show” ratings are growing exponentially and surpassing the competition with guaranteed renewal through 2017. This is the only syndicated talk show that achieved year-to-year national growth in W25-54 ratings (0.9 to 1.0 = +11%).
Prior to achieving success in daytime television, Williams built a devoted fan base throughout a successful 23-year career in radio. “The Wendy Williams Experience” was Williams’ top-rated, daily radio show. Syndicated nationally, it aired on WBLS in New York and was listened to by an audience of more than 12 million people. One of the most popular personalities in radio, Williams was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in November of 2009 – one of only a handful of women with that honor.
Turning 50 this past July, Wendy celebrated her milestone birthday with a bucket list of items including making her stand up debut in Las Vegas. Her sold out show was a huge hit and will be returning to perform two more shows on October 31 and November 1 for the “Lipshitck” comedy series.
Expanding her media footprint, Williams and her husband Kevin launched the non-fiction television programming company Wendy Williams Productions (WWP) in 2013. The joint partnership with Debmar-Mercury, the producers of “The Wendy Williams Show”, sees WWP finding, developing and producing original programming including the Lifetime original movie, Aaliyah: The Princess of R&B that will air in November. 2013 also saw the launch of another entrepreneurial endeavor with Wendy’s own line of wigs: Wendy Williams Hair WorldTM Collection. Having been diagnosed over a decade ago with a thyroid condition that causes thinning hair, Williams has long been a proud and outspoken supporter of hairpieces. Following years of wearing, styling and openly talking about wigs on her show, Wendy is a recognized expert in the field.
In Spring 2004, Wendy released her seventh book and first romance novel, “Hold Me In Contempt” (Harper Collins). It became a New York Times bestseller the first day of its’ release. This past spring also marked another milestone; Wendy was the first talk show host to donate show items to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.
With TV, Broadway and film performances to her name, Williams is a seasoned performer, both as herself and in character. Her television credits include appearances on NBC’s “30 Rock” as herself, competing on Season 12 of ABC’s “Dancing With The Stars,” hosting Game Show Network’s original series “Love Triangle,” and appearing as a featured guest on ABC’s “One Life to Live” and Lifetime’s “Drop Dead Diva”. Wendy also appeared in the major motion picture, Steve Harvey’s “Think Like A Man” and took center stage as Mama Morton in the Tony-winning revival of the musical “Chicago”.