Wendy Williams (radio host)

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Wendy Williams (born July 18, 1964) is an African-American radio talk-show hostess, television personality, and New York Times best-selling author. Wendy Williams is best known for being a DJ in New York, where she gossips about celebrities and conducts interviews with famous people; she has also gained notoriety for her on-air spats with celebrities, most notably Whitney Houston. Since the early 2000's, Wendy Williams has hosted the highest rated weekday syndicated radio broadcast named "The Wendy Williams Experience", on WBLS 107.5 FM radio station in New York City.

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[edit] Biography

Wendy Williams was born in Ocean Township in 1964, and raised in the Wayside section.[1] From 1982 to 1986, Ms. Williams attended Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts, where she majored in communications and was also a DJ for the college radio station WRBB 104.9 FM. Ms. Williams also interned at WXKS ("Kiss 108") in Boston. She later became a DJ for radio station WVIS in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, and after eight months there, accepted a job at oldies station WOL in Washington D.C.. Wendy Williams then entered the New York market, where she worked for the FM stations WPLJ and "Hot 97" (formerly "Hot 103.5").

In 1989, Wendy Williams began working at "98.7 Kiss FM" in New York City as a fill-in DJ. As rival station WBLS began hiring away staff from that station, Kiss FM hired her full-time for its morning show and gave her a non-compete clause contract; it was when she started her trademark of talking on celebrities, giving listeners the dirt on their personal lives. A year later, Ms. Williams landed her own 6-10 p.m. shift, eventually winning the Billboard Award for Best On-Air Radio Personality in 1993. The following year after her Billboard award Emmis Broadcasting bought out Kiss FM and switched Williams to the company's Hot 97.

Ms. Williams was fired from Hot 97 in 1998 for allegedly getting in a fight with her co-worker Angie Martinez, while outing her romantic relationship with rapper Q-Tip. In her autobiography Wendy's Got the Heat, Williams praised Martinez while acknowledging a mostly verbal confrontation. Williams stated that the station used the incident as an excuse to terminate her contract, and suggested that it was really pressure from hip-hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs which led to her dismissal. She alludes to this in her second book The Wendy Williams Experience, when she wrote "He single-handedly tried to ruin me. . .".

After the Hot97 incident, Ms. Williams was hired by a Philadelphia station WUSL ("Power 99FM"), claiming her New York fans "left her for dead". In 2001, Wendy Williams returned to the New York airwaves when WBLS hired her full-time for her own syndicated 2-6 p.m (the show continued to run until 7 p.m. in the New York metropolitan area) shift. As of 2008, she is syndicated in Redondo Beach, California (on a station which services the Los Angeles metropolitan area); Shreveport, Louisiana; Tampa, Florida; Hartford, Connecticut; Columbia, South Carolina, Florence, South Carolina, and Alexandria, Louisiana, among other markets.

Williams' interview style is brash, and she refers to herself, a la Howard Stern, as the "Queen Of All Media". In her television and radio shows, she dishes celebrity gossip, conducts interviews and speaks her mind about current events. Williams has admitted to previous cocaine addictions, miscarriages, while having liposuction as well as breast implant surgery. She has hosted several installments of Wendy Williams is on Fire for VH1, and on October 20, 2006, The Wendy Williams Experience premiered as a late-night series.

Wendy Williams has published several books including the paperback novel Drama is Her Middle Name: The Ritz Harper Chronicles Vol. 1 (2006), which is co-authored by Karen Hunter.

In 2003, Wendy interviewed R&B singer Blu Cantrell, asking questions about her sexual activities and practices, criticizing other R&B artists, and her drug abuse. This interview was sold as a bonus DVD with Cantrell's Bittersweet album.

In 2006, Wendy Williams introduced co-host "Charlemagne tha God.". Charlemagne hails from Moncks Corner, South Carolina and is a convicted felon. Charlemangne was released from his deejay position at Columbia's WHXT Hot 103.9 after a heated interview with Buffie "The Body".

Williams also became a spokesmodel for Georges Veselle champagne.

In October 2007, Williams filled in for Jodi Applegate on WNYW's morning television show Good Day New York.

On July 14 2008, Debmar-Mercury Productions will begin airing a new live one-hour talk show hosted by Wendy Williams. The programs will begin airing on stations in Los Angeles, New York, Dallas, and Detroit, with the hope that "The Wendy Williams Show" will be picked up for syndication in fall 2008.

[edit] The Philadelphia Controversy

In January 2008, Wendy was cut off by her first syndicated station on WUSL Power 99FM in Philadelphia. Johnny V., another disc jockey, filled in for Wendy. For weeks, the station deceived listeners saying that Wendy was on vacation and she would be back soon. Soon after, the station removed her permanently, with no explanation. Listeners inquired about the release of Wendy Williams, but listeners never found out why. Fans have contacted Clear Channel Incorporate for this issue, and the typical run-around was given. Dedicated listeners called in Wendy's show and threatened not to listen to WUSL Power 99FM ever again after the incident. Rumors on http://answers.yahoo.com reported that her new syndicator, Westwood One, contacted Power 99 about reinstating her show, but the managers of the radio station never contacted the company back. Listeners are still waiting on an explanation why Wendy Williams was kicked off the station. Residents have reported that they can get a signal and listen to her show from her flagship station 107.5 WBLS, in their vehicles, in parts of Philadelphia and South Jersey.

[edit] Personal life

During her time in Washington, D.C., Wendy Williams was addicted to cocaine, from which she has since recovered. While in New York, Williams went through a divorce and several miscarriages before marrying Kevin Hunter in 1999; a year later, she gave birth to her first son, Kevin Hunter Jr.. During her pregnancy, Williams found out that Hunter was cheating on her. Despite Hunter's alleged infidelity, Williams and Hunter later reconciled and remain married today. After the birth of Kevin Jr., Williams suffered from a weight problem and had liposuction and breast implants surgery, augmenting her breasts from an A cup to a DD cup. Today, Williams is known for being one of the bustiest celebrities in New York City. Williams and her family currently reside in Cedar Grove, New Jersey.


The latest controversity in the life of Wendy Williams is that the shows entertainment booker, Nicole Spence has filed a law suit with the EE0/CC. She states that the husband of Williams, Kevin Hunter, frequently came on to her in the most vulger of ways. He would come in constantly asking to F*@k her. She also speaks of the constant beatings at and away from the station by Hunter to Ms Williams. It is known that Hunter is a frequent infidel. Wendy has not addressed this matter at all to her audience, in hopes that it might damage her up and coming tv show "The Wendy Williams Show". Currently there are videos on YouTube of Hunter having sexual incidents with various women.

[edit] Common show sayings and soundbites

Played by Trev Hollywood (Production Director), Tarin (Producer), or Goose (Technical Director) throughout the show in relation to the topic being discussed:

  • "Hey!" (Chyna Doll) (signifies someone being drunk)
  • "How you doin'?" (insinuating that the topic at hand involves homosexuality; also, the show's greeting)
  • "Grease, Greasy or Throwing Grease" (implies when Wendy is telling someone's business or putting their business out in the open)
  • "Alright!" (implies "queen"-like behavior; usually follows "How you doin'?")
  • "Put that where? Back there!" (Vivica A. Fox) (a dismissive expression)
  • "A toe is a toe" (in reference to someone who accepts sexual gratification from either sex)
  • "Momma!" (Williams's son, Kevin, yelling)
  • "Ow!" (Pointing out someone is homosexual or discussing homosexual topics)
  • "I'm gay, I'm a homo. I like guys." (from the movie, In & Out)
  • Drill sound (when someone has crooked teeth)
  • Jackhammer sound (when someone has REALLY bad teeth)
  • Luxuriate (to fully immerse yourself in something fabulous)
  • Friend in my head (someone that you don't know personally, but imagine you'd be good friends with if you did)
  • Cow moo (when referring to an overweight person, or discussing food longingly)
  • "I love you for listening" (usually said at the end of her show)
  • Explosion (when there is a "bomb" or dramatic event)
  • African bells and percussion (when reference is made to black people)
  • "Negroidian" (behavior from any race or gender which is deemed low-class or inappropriate)
  • "Splaboo" (Michael Jackson's substitute for the "N" word)
  • "Horns/Eagle Cry" (extreme discovery or when Wendy seriously shuts somebody down)
  • "Wow!" (one-time guest, World's exclamation of surprise; one Wow for mild surprise, four Wows for amazement)
  • "Donkey" (in reference to someone who makes unintelligent/stupid decisions or lives a lifestyle beyond which he is able; common substite for the word "jackass")
  • Sad Trumpet Sound/Funeral Music (when Wendy has said something sad)
  • Sucking Sound (refers to someone giving a "professional," that is, performing oral sex)
  • "Of Course" (Gillie Tha Kid)
  • A car engine starting and driving off is played when the show is ending and Wendy is still talking/cue for Williams's exit (Only heard in the New York metropolitan area)
  • Crickets (played when the dialog from a caller or guest becomes uninteresting)
  • Professional (Wendy's word for oral sex, on air)
  • Crow Sounds (represents the "swoop down" when Wendy gets in someone's business)
  • Damn / Wow (repeatedly in a low "shocked" voice), (used when callers say something shocking or explicit)
  • Do you know the Chief? - Question posed to guests when trying to find out if they smoke ganja.
  • Horn sound (When something really shocking is announced).
  • News bulletin/typewriter Wendy reads a story in a news anchor like mannor, usu. preceded with her saying, "This just in".
  • Blind item (when gossiping about a celebrity without telling their name.)
  • "Dirty Backpack Crew" (Someone who takes an all natural approach in all aspects of life; typically in reference to the Neo Soul community.)

[edit] Music bytes

[edit] Controversy

In another infamous incident on her Hot 97 show in 1995, Wendy notoriously aired rumors that the late Tupac Shakur was raped in prison. Shakur was furious over the rumor, which New Jersey underground rapper Chino XL referenced in a song, "Riot". Shakur later addressed Wendy Williams on the song "Why U Wanna Turn On Me?", which remained unreleased until his death in 1996. In the song, Shakur insults Williams mainly in the last verse and the outro, stating that he prays she "chokes on the next dick down [her] throat" and refers to her as a "fat troll," and threatening a $20,000 hit on her—a hit through Jenny Craig that is. Shakur's former boss, Suge Knight, however, has since become a frequent guest on the Wendy Williams' WBLS show.

In 2003, Wendy Williams caused controversy while interviewing Whitney Houston on her alleged drug habits and tumultuous marriage to Bobby Brown. At several points in the interview, Houston berated Wendy with expletives and told Williams "if this were back in the day in Newark I'd meet you outside, but not now, because I'm a lady with class."

Wendy Williams also been addressed in song lyrics by several artists, among them Will Smith, Lil' Kim, and Mariah Carey. In Will Smith's track Mr Niceguy, he mentions Williams by singing:

Wendy Williams, you don't know me,

I'm not your punching bag, you won't blow me... up.

Girl better leave me alone,

Before I buy your radio station and send ya home..."

A portion of Lil'Kim's track, Shut Up Bitch says:

"Don't come around here with that Wendy Williams shit / get your facts straight or shut up bitch!"

Mariah Carey's new single "Touch My Body", alludes to Ms. Williams as the person whom Ms. Carey compares to other people invading her personal space. :

"Cause they be all up in my business like a Wendy interview"


On March 25th, 2008, the New York Post reported that Nicole Spence, talent booker for the Wendy Williams experience, filed papers with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission suing Williams. Spence, 27, claims that Wendy's husband, Kevin Hunter, 33, demanded sex from her on many occasions and created a hostile work environment by threatening and assaulting his wife on company premises. "Mr. Hunter repeatedly sexually propositioned me at work in the most crude and vulgar ways, telling me over and over that he wanted to 'f- - -' me," Spence states.

Spence also says that Williams did nothing to stop the alleged abuse, and in fact "offered to take me shopping so I could dress 'like a sexy little bitch,' as Mr. Hunter demanded."

Both Williams and Hunter deny the charges.

[edit] Movie

In 2006, Wendy Williams announced that she was in the planning stages of making a movie about her life. Queen of Media was written by Furqaan Clover and Kimba Henriques, with Robin Givens as the lead role of Wendy Williams. Filming wrapped up in late July, 2007 and is set to be released in the Fall of 2008.

Other notable cast members include Trey Songz and Chandra 'Deelishis' Davis.

[edit] Awards

  • Wendy Williams has won "Radio Personality Of The Year" awards from both Billboard and Radio & Records industry magazines.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Fishman, Steve. "How New York's Shock Jockette Got Supersized", New York (magazine), October 16, 2005. Accessed December 3, 2007. "As a youngster, Wendy did not seem destined for success on the radio, or anywhere else. She grew up in Wayside, New Jersey, an upper-middle-class part of Ocean Township, one of four black students in her class, and one of the heaviest of any race."

[edit] External links