A+E Networks and Lifetime are countersuing Wendy Williams’ legal guardian, Sabrina E. Morrissey, claiming she only filed a lawsuit over their documentary about the TV host to protect her own interests.
“It was only when Morrissey realized that the documentary would question the quality of her own guardianship of [Williams] that Morrissey suddenly decided to try to ensure the documentary would never be released,” the networks argued in documents filed on Nov. 15 and obtained by Page Six Wednesday.
“Thus, it appears that Morrissey is misusing her position as a guardian of [Williams] to silence criticism of her controversial and failed administration of [the guardianship].”
Morrissey — who was named Williams’ legal guardian due to her dementia and aphasia diagnoses — has accused A+E and Lifetime of exploiting the former talk show host in “Where Is Wendy Williams?”
The four-part docuseries, which premiered in February, showed Williams in a vulnerable state, often speaking erratically, exhibiting signs of an alcohol relapse and crying over her financial issues.
The project, however, also featured interviews with the former “Wendy Williams Show” host’s family, who were critical of how she was being cared for by her legal guardian.
“We’ve all seen the images over the last few months — and, really, few years — of what has seemed like a spiral for my aunt,” Williams’ niece Alex Finnie said. “It was shocking and heartbreaking to see her in this state.”
The family has since claimed they are still being “denied contact” with Williams due to “ongoing litigation,” but they are “all rooting and praying for Wendy.”
A+E Networks claimed in its countersuit that the documentary revealed how Williams’ guardianship had “isolated her from her family, left her largely alone and unattended in her apartment, exacerbated her self-destructive behavior and mental decline and failed to prevent her use and/or abuse of alcohol.”
The company also alleged Morrissey had been aware of the former radio DJ’s talent agreement with them for the series since March 2023 and “continued to approve” her participation until that April.
“To [A+E’s] knowledge, Morrissey also did not seek to cancel or rescind the talent agreement until instituting this action on the eve of the documentary’s release,” the filing claimed.
Page Six has reached out to A+E Networks’ lawyers and Morrissey’s rep for comment but did not immediately hear back.
Morrissey previously argued via her attorney in a filing obtained by Page Six that the networks “never gained the guardian’s consent for [Williams’] participation to be filmed, and the guardian did not learn of the talent agreement until March 2023, seven months after the start of filming.”
The media companies are seeking compensation for the “significant costs and fees” they have used to defend their “First Amendment-protected rights,” per the countersuit.
While the legal proceedings continue, Williams’ mental health decline is allegedly worsening.
Morrissey claimed in a separate filing this month that the beloved host is “permanently incapacitated” as a result of her illnesses.
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