Wendy Williams has never been one to shy away from the truth, especially when it comes to her health struggles. The TV host revealed last year that she has Graves disease, which forced her to take almost three months off work. She has also been open about her struggles with addiction, saying that "drugs were an addiction [she] had to overcome."
"I was a functioning addict," she told Entertainment Tonight in July 2018. "I report to work on time, and I'd walk in and all my co-workers, including my bosses, would know but since I would have my headphones on and walk in the studio and [they] wouldn't fire me because I was making ratings."
Williams admitted that her drug of choice for over a decade was cocaine, and she seemed to be strong in her sobriety. However, on the most recent episode of her show, Williams made a tearful admission to her fans.
So, you know me for being a very open and truthful person, and I've got more to the story for you. For some time now, and even today and beyond, I have been living in a sober house. When you see me come to work, glammed up, right after the show I go across the street and do my pilates - I told you, two hours a day, I like to take care of my body, and you know I've had a struggle with cocaine in the past.I never went to a place to get treatment, I don't know how, except God was sitting on my shoulder and just stopped. There are people in your family, it might be you who have been struggling. I want you to know more of the story. This is my autobiographical story, and I'm telling you this. After I go to the pilates, I got to several meetings all around town in the tri-state area, and I see my brothers and sisters caught up in their addiction and looking for help. They don't know I'm Wendy. They don't care I'm Wendy. There's no autographs, nothing.
It's the brothers and sisters caught up in the struggle, and it's been really interesting. Only Kevin [Wendy's husband] knows about this. Not my parents, nobody. Nobody knew because I look so glamorous out here. But after I finish my appointments, I am driven by my 24-hour sober coach back to a home that I live in the tri-state with a bunch of smelly boys who have become my family. They hog the TV and watch soccer. We talk and read and talk and read and then I get bored with them.
Doors locked by 10pm. Lights out by 10pm, so I go to my room and I stare at the ceiling, and I fall asleep to wake up to come back here and see you. So that is my truth.
Williams was visibly emotional when explaining what was going on in her life, but she's hoping that her story will help others reach out for the help they need. She and her husband started an organization called The Hunter Foundation, which works with families who are struggling with the addiction cycle.
"Our Hunter Foundation just launched last week," Williams tearfully explained. "We have already successfully placed 56 people in recovery centers around the world, not just the country. It's a 24-hour hotline, seven days a week."
The number for The Hunter Foundation is 1-888-5HUNTER (1-888-548-6837).
