Syndicated talk show host Wendy Williams will be sidelined for the Season 13 premiere of her namesake program by ongoing medical issues, showrunners confirmed Tuesday.
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Wendy Williams attends the ceremony honoring her with a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame held on October 17, 2019, in Hollywood, California. Keep clicking to see more photos from her career.
2003: Wendy Williams during the 2003 Tribeca Film Festival – Death of a Dynasty premiere at Tribeca Performing Arts Center in New York City.
2004: Wendy Williams during Virgin Records Presents "Damita Jo": A Celebration With Janet Jackson in Honor of Her New Album at Spice Market in New York City.
2005: Wendy Williams during VH1 Save The Music: A Concert to Benefit the VH1 Save the Music Foundation at Beacon Theatre in New York City.
2006: Wendy Williams during the 2006 VH1 Hip Hop Honors at Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City.
2007: Wendy Williams during Macy’s Presents "Kiss and Tell" hosted by Nicky Hilton and Inside at Loft 11 in New York City.
2008: Kevin Hunter and Wendy Williams attend the Patron Music in Motion Tour Party at Marquee on September 29, 2008, in New York City.
2009: Supermodel Iman (left) and Wendy Williams attend the launch party for Sam Fine’s "The Basics of Beauty" DVD at the Warren Tricomi Salon at the Plaza Hotel on June 18, 2009, in New York City.
2010: TV personality Wendy Williams and Dolly Parton attend Kenny Rogers: The First 50 Years award show at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods on April 10, 2010, in Ledyard Center, Connecticut.
2011: Celebrity talk show host Wendy Williams throws out a ceremonial first pitch before a baseball game between the Oakland Athletics and the Tampa Bay Rays, Friday, Aug. 5, 2011, in St. Petersburg, Fla.
2012: Andy Cohen and Wendy Williams on "Watch What Happens Live."
2013: Natalie Morales and Wendy Williams appear on NBC News’ "Today" show in 2013.
2014: In this handout photo provided by Disney Parks, daytime TV talk show host Wendy Williams poses with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse during a visit to the Magic Kingdom park at Walt Disney World Resort on January 17, 2014, in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.
2015: Television personalities Wendy Williams (left) and Brad Goreski appear onstage during the Lane Bryant launch of the #PlusIsEqual campaign at Times Square on September 14, 2015, in New York City.
2016: Wendy Williams during an interview with TV host Seth Meyers on May 19, 2016.
2017: Wendy Williams poses for a photo on the observation deck after taking part in the ceremonial lighting of the Empire State Building to celebrate the ninth season of "The Wendy Williams Show" at The Empire State Building on September 18, 2017, in New York City.
2018: Wendy Williams appears on "Late Night With Seth Meyers" on October 30, 2018.
2019: Wendy Williams attends her being honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on October 17, 2019, in Hollywood, California.
2020: Wendy Williams attends Spotify x Cash Money Host Premiere of mini-documentary New Cash Order at Lightbox on February 20, 2020, in New York.
2021: Wendy Williams (left) officially unveils her Madame Tussauds wax figure at Madame Tussauds New York on May 10, 2021, in New York City.
“The Wendy Williams Show will start airing originals on Monday, October 18, with an exciting lineup of guest hosts and panels to be announced shortly,” a statement posted to the show’s official Instagram account read.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CU73i0sJyOs/
Specifically, showrunners cited Williams’ “serious complications as a direct result of Graves’ Disease and her thyroid condition” for the delay, adding, “It has been determined that more time is needed before she is able to return to her live hosting duties.”
According to People magazine, the show’s Season 13 premiere was originally slated for Sept. 20 but was postponed until Oct. 4 after Williams, 57, tested positive for a breakthrough case of COVID-19, compounding her existing health struggles.
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“Wendy is a valued and stalwart member of the Debmar-Mercury family and has been so for 12 years. We want her health to be her top priority. As soon as she’s ready, she will be back in her treasured purple chair. We very much appreciate the respect for Wendy’s privacy, as well as all the good wishes from her fans, station partners and advertisers,” showrunners stated.