Suggested Reading
Wendy Williams is no stranger to the struggle of addiction. The diva of daytime talk television has long been candid about her own past drug use, including a recent return to treatment and sober living amid months of media reports speculating about her health, marriage and sobriety.
Now, Williams is paying it forward with the recent launch of The Hunter Foundation, which provides support to others grappling with substance abuse. On Friday, the media personality, referring to herself with her married name, Wendy Williams Hunter, premiered a PSA for the organization, in partnership with T.R.U.S.T (Treatment Resources Using Sustainable Techniques), to promote their hotline helping those in need of treatment and support, according to a release.
Since launching on March 11, 2019, the 888-5HUNTER drug addiction and substance abuse treatment resources hotline has received a total of 10,000 inbound calls ranging from requests for educational materials, treatment requests for detox, rehabilitation, sober living and outpatient centers, as well as calls expressing gratitude for the hotline as a resource. In addition, to date 400 inbound calls have resulted in patients being placed into treatment centers.
The hotline is fully staffed by specially trained Certified Recovery Coaches that conduct assessments and match callers with individual specialized lists of short or longer-term treatment facilities. The intake process includes an evaluation on the level of care needed, as well as financial circumstances.
βThe phones have been ringing nonstop,β said Ron Clinton, President of T.R.U.S.T. β400 individuals struggling with addiction have been placed in treatment in three weeksβ time. That is phenomenal. The more people we get help for, thatβs one less person struggling.β
β10,000 calls in three weeks is remarkable! Weβre doing our part by getting the word out,β said Williams in a statement. βAll it takes is one call to get on the right path. Weβre here to help.β
And for Williams, itβs undoubtedly a full circle moment, as she has recently weathered a nearly 18-month media firestorm which included multiple hiatuses from The Wendy Williams Show. To recap: speculation about Williamsβ health began in late 2017, when she fainted during a live Halloween episode. By February of the following year, sheβd placed her popular daytime talk show on hiatus, reportedly to focus on her recovery from Gravesβ Disease.
Add to that repeated rumors of a split from her manager and husband of over two decades, Kevin Hunter, amid reports of his prolonged infidelity. On March 4th, Williams returned to her show after a two-month absence, stating publicly that her marriage and health were just fine (h/t Essence).
βIβm still very much in love with my husband and anyone whoβs been married β¦ you know.
βMarriages have ebbs and flows, marriage isnβt easy. Donβt ask me about mine until you see this gone,β Williams added, pointing to her wedding ring. βAnd it ainβt going anywhere, not in this lifetime.β
In the weeks that followed, the award-winning host confirmed sheβd quietly been living in a sober house and under the care of a 24-hour sober coach to once again address issues of substance abuse. Then, on March 25th, Page Six and multiple outlets reported the birth of a child by Hunterβs alleged mistress, Sharina Hudson. (Hunter has not been confirmed as the childβs father.)
Itβs more stress than your average non-celebrity could weather. That Williams, who has built much of her career on celebrity gossip, has been under such intense scrutiny has no doubt been a cruel irony. But by turning her focus to helping others struggling with addiction, Williams is undeniably using her power and platform for good.
βThere is hope,β she says in the PSA. βIβm living proof.β
Straight From
Sign up for our free daily newsletter.