Wendy Williams Addresses Rumors During Talk Show Return

Television personality Wendy Williams is finally back on the air after a two-month absence.

On Monday, March 4, 2019, The Wendy Williams Show host addressed ongoing rumors about her health and marriage during her highly anticipated daytime talk show return.

"How you doin'? I'm doing better now. Let's get started, because apparently, I'm a Hot Topic," Williams told her cheering audience as she kicked off the show (via Too Fab). While debuting a new blonde bob haircut, the talk show host went on to thank her adoring fans, according to Entertainment Tonight. "Honestly, I didn't know what to expect when I hit the block today," she said. "I didn't know whether you would wait for me if you would understand. Thank you so much for waiting for us."

After noting that she and her crew were initially meant to take just two weeks of vacation over the holiday season, Williams explained that she began experiencing health complications stemming from her hyperthyroidism and Graves' disease. "I can't even tell you how many doctors I have," she continued, saying that she'd undergone a number of MRIs, CAT scans, and blood pressure tests (via Too Fab). The titular host added, "They're still adjusting my meds." 

Thankfully, Williams went on to announce, "I'm happy to tell you that I am doing swell." During the emotional segment, the former shock jock encouraged her audience to prioritize their own health, saying that in her case, "I'm at home and I'm taking my thyroid meds and I'm meditating. I'm going to the gym seven days a week for two hours a day. Believe me you. I don't know how this outfit is reading on TV, but mother has not gained a pound!"

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As Nicki Swift previously reported, Williams, 54, was forced to postpone her return to The Wendy Williams Show for a third time amid her hospitalization in mid-January 2019. Readers may remember that rumors surrounding her health began to surface after the former DJ appeared to slur her words during a taping the previous month. She later blamed the incident on the pain medication she'd taken after suffering a hairline fracture on her right shoulder just days before. While addressing these concerns on social media late last year, Williams had promised her fans "a better Wendy in 2019."

Unfortunately, this wasn't the first time the controversial TV star's health had affected her show over the last year. In February 2018, Williams famously took three weeks off from work on doctor's orders.

During her extended break, reports surrounding her marriage with businessman Kevin Hunter also began circulating. After tying the knot in 1997 and welcoming son Kevin Hunter Jr. three years later, Williams and Hunter, 46, were first hit with rumors surrounding their allegedly troubled romance in September 2017. However, just after the New Year, a new round of hearsay suggested that Hunter's reported mistress, 32-year-old massage therapist Sharina Hudson, was pregnant. For their part, Williams and Hunter denied the allegations at the time.

More recently, Williams — notably sporting her wedding ring — further addressed the ongoing speculation during her on-air return. "We were spending time as a family," she told her fans, adding, "I want to shout-out to my husband. I'm still wearing my ring. Believe me you, when you've been with somebody for 28 years, married for 25 years — we know each other. He's my best friend, he's my lover. I know what you've been seeing, but hunty, let me show you who I fell in love with and who he fell in love with."

"I'm still very much in love with my husband, and anyone who's been married, you know, marriages have ebbs and flows," she continued. While pointing to her wedding ring, Williams went on, "Marriage isn't easy. And don't ask me about mine until you see this gone. And it ain't going anywhere, not in this lifetime."

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During Williams' absence, a number of celebs filled in her hosting shoes, including actor-comedian Nick Cannon. In early February 2019, Cannon shared an update on her condition with audience members, saying, "Honestly, she sounded amazing y'all. We jumped on the phone and first thing she said, 'Nick Cannon, how you doin'?'" He went on to recall, "I didn't know what to expect at first, but her spirit was so big, it was so amazing."

Later that month, the show's production company, Debmar-Mercury, announced that Williams' hiatus would soon be coming to an end. "Wendy Williams is an incredible talent with the most unique voice in daytime," the company released in a statement at the time (via Us Weekly). "We can't wait to welcome her back to her iconic purple chair on the set of her show. We so appreciate all of the guest hosts and panelists who filled in for Wendy during this time. These people are, and always will be, true family to the show. And we want to thank all of the loyal and supportive fans who have been with us for 10 years now."

We're so glad to see Wendy Williams fully recovered, back in action, and ready to spill the tea.