The true story behind Trapped: What is Happening to Wendy Williams? on ID, explained

Trapped: What Is Happening to Wendy Williams? is a documentary that investigates the events related to Wendy Williams' case. Wendy Williams, a famous media personality, has been facing many personal and legal challenges since 2022.

The documentary sheds light on the former chat show host's health problems, financial disputes, and court-mandated guardianship.

Wendy Williams has serious illnesses, such as frontotemporal dementia and primary progressive aphasia. Williams' bank accounts were frozen, and she was placed under the supervision of a guardian in 2022.

Trapped: What Is Happening to Wendy Williams? is set to premiere on May 19, 2025, at 8 pm ET on Investigation Discovery. Viewers outside the US can stream it on Max.

Trapped: What Is Happening to Wendy Williams? - All about the true story explored

In 2022, Wells Fargo Bank froze Wendy Williams' bank account, claiming she may be a victim of financial abuse. The bank described her as mentally unstable and sought a temporary financial guardian for her.

As reported by People, in May 2022, a New York court appointed lawyer Sabrina Morrisey as her legal guardian, who took over decisions regarding her finances and health.

According to NPR, in February 2024, Wendy's medical team announced that she had primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia. These diseases affect her language and thinking ability, causing her to have huge problems in everyday life. However, Wendy herself does not consider her condition to be so serious and opposes the limitations of guardianship.

As per The Industry Cosign, the whole matter sparked debate among the public, and the #FreeWendy movement began. Supporters say Wendy should regain control over her life and decisions.

Trapped: What Is Happening to Wendy Williams? is an hour-long documentary that features interviews with journalists, medical and legal experts, and people close to Wendy, including her former producer, Yazmin Ramos.

The documentary delves deep into Wendy Williams' success, the popularity of her show, and her personal and professional struggles. It covers all the important aspects of her health, legal steps taken by the bank, and guardianship.

The documentary attempts to give viewers a comprehensive understanding through various perspectives and expert analysis. It also discusses guardianship, rights of individuals suffering from mental illnesses, and sheds light on how someone's celebrity status may impact complex legal issues.

Williams is best known for hosting the nationally syndicated television talk show The Wendy Williams Show from 2008 to 2022.

Trapped: What Is Happening to Wendy Williams? will air on Investigation Discovery (ID) channel on May 19, 2025, at 8 pm EST. International viewers can stream it on Max.

About the author

Suryansh Saraswat is an Entertainment writer at Sportskeeda. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Mass Communication and Journalism from the Asian Academy of Film and Television. Additionally, he has a one-year diploma in Electronic Media and a three-year diploma in Dramatic Arts.

Prior to Sportskeeda, Suryansh worked as a Hindi writer at Pocket FM for a year. He also has two years of experience in filmmaking and media content creation, where he developed strong research, scriptwriting, and content production skills.

Suryansh is passionate about the entertainment industry, particularly its ability to unite people and spark conversations through movies, music, reality TV, and celebrity trends. He strives to report accurate, relevant, and ethical information by using reliable sources, cross-checking facts, staying updated, and writing responsibly.

He enjoys reading novels and plays, watching films, and pursuing photography in his free time. He is particularly fascinated by the 90s era, which he considers the golden age of Indian cinema. He especially loves films starring Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan.

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Edited by Niharika Dabral