Wendy Williams responded on social media after her spokesman, Howard Bragman, released a statement on her behalf on Tuesday.
Bragman said Wendy was “grateful” after producers of The Wendy Williams Show confirmed the show’s cancellation and announced her time slot would be filled by Sherri Shepherd‘s new show, Sherri.
Bragman claimed that Wendy “understands” the business decision and expressed her “gratitude” to Shepherd.
“It’s been a challenging time for Wendy as she deals with her health issues. She is incredibly grateful to Debmar-Mercury, to Sherri and everybody else who has supported the show through this time,” Bragman said in a statement.
He added that production company Debmar-Mercury would welcome Wendy back with open arms if her health issues resolved and she expressed a desire to return.
“She understands why this decision was made from a business point of view, and she has been assured by Debmar-Mercury that should her health get to a point where she can host again and should her desire be that she hosts again that she would be back on TV at that time.”
However, Wendy issued a statement of her own on her newly launched Instagram page, informing Bragman that he was not “authorized” to release any statements on her behalf.
“Mr. Bragman although I appreciate your concerns and respect you immensely I have not authorized you to make any statements on my behalf regarding my current status with Debmar Mercury. Again thanks for your continuing concern and support.”
In his written response to PEOPLE, Bragman seemed blindsided by Wendy’s statement. He suggested someone else may have posted the statement on Wendy’s Instagram Story.
He wrote:
“I’m not honestly convinced of the source of that social media post, so when my old friend Wendy FaceTimes me personally and we alone have a chance to discuss recent events, together we can figure out the best path forward.”
