For producers Mark Ford and Erica Hansontheir multi-part Lifetime documentaries Where is Wendy Williams? was a project that served as a healing force and came from a place of support.
The couple stopped by An Evening With Lifetime: Conversations On Controversies, an FYC event at The Grove in Hollywood, on Wednesday and spoke to ET’s Deidre Behar about their high-profile project Wendy Williamsand what it would mean to be recognized at the Emmys.
“Oh, that would mean the world in my opinion. Not just for us, but for Wendy too,” Hanson shared. “I can’t even imagine the impact that would have on her.”
Hanson said that Williams – the along with her son Kevin Hunter Jr.was a co-producer of the film – saw the documentaries as an opportunity to “tell her story as honestly and truthfully” and to be a “catalyst for change”.
“It would be a great tribute to Wendy to receive an Emmy nomination for something that she executive produced and that allowed her to tell her story,” Ford added.
The four-and-a-half-hour documentary chronicles the events that led to Williams’ placement under the supervision of a court-appointed guardian in 2022.
It also sheds light on the TV personality’s health struggles – coupled with upheavals in her personal life – including fainting in October 2017 on live television (which she claimed was due to dehydration) and revealed her Diagnosis of Graves’ disease on her show in February 2018 (which forced her to take three weeks off) and her broken shoulder in December 2018 and was dealing with a very public split from her then-husband Kevin Hunter, whom she officially divorced in January 2020 after 25 years of marriage.
“This is not an easy story to watch or tell. But hopefully we made them honest, with integrity and empathetic,” Hanson told ET.
“She’s still great, you know, even in the dire situation she’s in. “Wendy has an incredible spirit, you know, and I think people can sense that,” Ford added. “[And] She truly appreciates the love and attention her fans have shown her because of this platform.”
According to Ford, they haven’t spoken to Williams since the documentary’s debut, but he claims he has spoken to “people close to her, and she’s seen the film, and she’s okay with it, people say that.” “didn’t talk to her.”
However, they have been in contact with Williams’ family: “And the story isn’t over yet. I could say that,” Ford shared. “We continue to be in contact with them and they are very supportive of the project.”
“I think, you know, this is not the end of this story. There will be more,” Ford suggested. “I don’t think the world has seen the last of Wendy Williams.”
While the film opened many eyes, It’s also caused quite a stir online by some who felt it was an exploitation of Williams’ health problems and the series of setbacks she has suffered in recent years.
That being said, Hanson addressed the opposition, telling ET, “I understand that it’s very difficult to watch the film. It was very difficult to make a film at times. But I think we felt moved to want to tell the truth about what was happening in her life… even if it was painful.
Hanson added that Williams was also “very direct about what she wanted to do and what she didn’t want to do… but she really didn’t have a lot of restrictions.”
“Wendy is the ultimate truth teller and she said from the first time we sat down with her, ‘There are no limits. Ask me anything, you can film anything, I’m a public person, I live publicly, that’s it.” “My story,” Ford shared. “And so we just followed that direction – to unfortunately very unpleasant places.”
One of the more emotional moments in the documentary involved Angela White, who previously performed under that stage name Blac Chyna – made an unexpected appearance during the filming of the documentary.
“It was an extraordinary day,” Hanson recalled. “It was so moving and I was so touched by how compassionate and caring she was for Wendy and the bond.” [they have]. You could just feel how much she cared about Wendy and it really was a beautiful moment. I thought that was one of the most beautiful moments in the film.
White spoke to ET in April about her unplanned experience Be part of the documentary.
“I just went to her house,” she told ET, expressing surprise at the presence of cameras during the candid conversation. White recalled the spontaneity of her visit and emphasized the genuine connection she shares with Wendy.
White said that although she appeared in the documentary, she didn’t see the whole thing, saying, “I saw certain clips and things like that.”
“I’m the type of person when I see more than what I need to see, I have to dig and get to the bottom of certain things and just ask myself, ‘Whatever is meant to be for me.’ “For me,” you know what I mean? And I was there for Wendy and I didn’t even know they were making, like, a documentary,” White said.
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