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Can Wendy Williams be freed? A new hour-long special from Investigation Discovery will explore the circumstances around the iconic talk show host’s controversial guardianship and dementia diagnosis – including the possibility that she might not have dementia at all. 

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‘Free Wendy’ Trends as Wendy Williams Speaks Out About Controversial Guardianship

“Is there a chance she’s misdiagnosed?” a man says in the just-released trailer for Trapped: What Is Happening to Wendy Williams?, which airs May 19 on ID. “We see that all the time.”

Other people in the teaser also seem to question the verdict on Williams’ health, which resulted in her being placed under guardianship in 2022. 

“Dementia? That doesn’t even make any sense,” a woman says in the clip.  

‘Trapped: What Is Happening to Wendy Williams?’ delves into #FreeWendy movement

The special, which is presented by EXTRA, will delve into the #FreeWendy movement and the push by Williams’ fans and loved ones to have her released from her guardianship. The one-time host of The Wendy Williams Show has been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia and aphasia. Currently, she’s living in a locked memory care facility in New York City. But in recent interviews, she’s insisted that she is not incapacitated and said she’s being held against her will. 

“It’s time for my money and my life to get back to status quo,” she told The View hosts in a phone conversation in March 2025. 

Trapped will explore the push for Williams’ release while also highlighting her rise to fame and influence on pop culture. In addition, the documentary looks at the personal and professional struggles she faced before her guardianship. The special will feature access to journalists who have covered Williams throughout her career, medical and legal experts who weigh in on her current diagnosis and guardianship status, and extensive archival footage from EXTRA’s vault.

Trapped will also include an extensive interview with Yazmin Ramos, former senior producer on The Wendy Williams Show. Ramos worked with Williams for 12 years and offers behind-the-scenes insight into the show and Williams’ life. 

Trapped is the first collaboration between EXTRA, Warner Bros. Television Group’s Telepictures, and ID. 

Trapped: What Is Happening to Wendy Williams? airs Monday, May 19 at 8 p.m. ET on ID. It will also stream on Max. 

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