Wendy Williams ordered to Testify in lifetime documentary case despite dementia diagnosis

Wendy Williams

The legal storm surrounding Wendy Williams and Lifetime’s controversial documentary isn’t over yet. A judge ruled this week that the former talk show host, despite her dementia diagnosis, will have to sit for a deposition in the ongoing case against A&E Television Networks.

The Ruling and What It Means

On September 15, the court extended a stay on proceedings until November 5 while Williams’ guardianship status is reviewed. At the same time, A&E won its request to depose Wendy, who must testify by November 4. The deposition will be “de bene esse,” a precautionary measure when a witness’ health may affect future testimony, as reported by PEOPLE.

The judge made it clear: Wendy’s dementia does not shield her from testifying. According to the ruling, the Federal Rules of Evidence don’t require mental competency for a witness, leaving it up to a jury to decide how much weight to give her statements.

Conditions for Wendy’s Testimony

The court set stringent guidelines. Wendy will be permitted to testify remotely and her testimony will be restricted to three hours over a maximum of three days. Only a limited number of attorneys are allowed in the room, and breaks and medical accommodations are also necessary.

The lawsuit was first brought in 2024 by her guardian, Sabrina Morrissey, who claimed Wendy was incapable of consenting to appear on Lifetime's Where Is Wendy Williams? Following a recent medical evaluation, Morrissey is also awaiting a decision regarding her continued guardianship.

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“It will be up to the jury in this case to decide what weight to give to [Williams’] deposition testimony,” per the docs obtained by PEOPLE.

A source exclusively told to PEOPLE that “the attorneys suing A&E said at a Sept. 5 hearing that the docuseries was so horrific that it could no longer be found on the air anywhere. Attorneys for A&E later admitted that they had taken the series down, claiming it was out of respect for the legal proceedings."

What Led Here

Wendy was diagnosed in 2023 with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia. Despite that, she has repeatedly denied being “cognitively impaired.” In February, she told The Breakfast Club she wasn’t incapacitated, directly contradicting court claims.

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Meanwhile, the documentary itself has quietly vanished from air. Attorneys for A&E admitted in court they pulled it, saying it was out of respect for ongoing legal proceedings.

For now, the battle continues, the court’s next update is due in early November.