With last week's official launch of her new daytime talk show -- currently airing in households across America -- media personality Wendy Williams has decided to quit her longtime day job as a radio personality on WBLS.
The unforeseen move, which was announced today, finds Williams departing her daily radio show effective July 31 to pursue her newly launched syndicated show, 'The Wendy Williams Show,' full-time.
In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl "Mel B" poses for a photo wearing a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness, after a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**
AP
In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl "Mel B" poses for a photo wearing a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness, after a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**
AP
In this undated image released by Oxfam Tuesday Sept. 23, 2008, British singer Mel B participates in the 'In My Name' global campaign calling for action against poverty and demanding world leaders keep their promises on millennium development goals. (AP Photo/Oxfam, HO) ** NO SALES **
AP
In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl Mel B, left, serves as the emcee at a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. Mel B wears a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. The woman at right is unidentified. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**
AP
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: TV personality and designer Khloe Kardashian and Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard (R) pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Ultimo Scottish designer lingerie brand founder Michelle Mone (L) and pop singer Melanie Brown pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown poses backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown and Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard (R) pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
Getty Images
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown and singer Aubrey O'Day (R) poses backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
Getty Images
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown, Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard, singer Aubrey O'Day and TV personality and designer Khloe Kardashian pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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"We are saddened to lose one of our most popular personalities," noted Deon Levingston, Vice President and General Manager of WBLS. "But we understand what it requires to put a live show on television each and every day and wish Wendy all the best in this new venture."
As for the shock jock turned best-selling author, who has been a prominent DJ amongst the station's on-air talent since 2002, she has intentions on continuing to build and expand her unique brand via her new medium.
"I want to tell all of my fans that after July 31, I will no longer be doing a show with WBLS," Williams, 45, said in a statement. "I really was blessed to have a broadcast home in New York on radio for the past seven years and I want to thank everyone who supported me. I have one of the best jobs in the world, making a difference in the lives of my fans made all the difference to me and I look forward to doing the same thing in my new role as a TV host. My hope is that you will do your best to find me on your remote so I can continue to entertain and inform you each and every day."
Williams leaves behind more than two decades of on air experience and was recently nominated as a potential inductee to the National Radio Hall of Fame.
Throughout the course of her career, the New Jersey native's radio show has consistently rated as one of the highest rated programs on the station, despite its controversial tone.
No word on whether the exit from WBLS will affect her syndicated radio program.
A spokesperson for Williams was not available at deadline.Wendy Williams Ritz Harper
In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl "Mel B" poses for a photo wearing a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness, after a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**
AP
In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl "Mel B" poses for a photo wearing a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness, after a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**
AP
In this undated image released by Oxfam Tuesday Sept. 23, 2008, British singer Mel B participates in the 'In My Name' global campaign calling for action against poverty and demanding world leaders keep their promises on millennium development goals. (AP Photo/Oxfam, HO) ** NO SALES **
AP
In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl Mel B, left, serves as the emcee at a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. Mel B wears a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. The woman at right is unidentified. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**
AP
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: TV personality and designer Khloe Kardashian and Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard (R) pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
Getty Images
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Ultimo Scottish designer lingerie brand founder Michelle Mone (L) and pop singer Melanie Brown pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
Getty Images
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown poses backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
Getty Images
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown and Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard (R) pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
Getty Images
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown and singer Aubrey O'Day (R) poses backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
Getty Images
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown, Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard, singer Aubrey O'Day and TV personality and designer Khloe Kardashian pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
I tried to watch her show tonight cause my girl Chrisette Michelle was going to be on... I couldn't do it!! She has a face made for radio, and that is where she should have stayed!!!!
I love Wendy W. and I am very glad she's back on television. I think she's very funny and entertaining. She says it like it is, and it's always about what everybody else is thinking but would never say it. I do feel though, that it is too soon to quit the radio show because TV is very unstable as far as daytime talk shows go. Many got a show, but only a few have lasted significantly amounts of seasons. I suppose she can always go back to radio, where she's well established and has a huge following. Congratulations and good luck Wendy!
Is she transgender? She definitely looks like it. Fake hair, fake boobs, masculine face. I tried to watch the show today to see what it was all about and couldn't stand looking at her.
I wonder how ugly you are because if you felt good about yourself then youy wouldnt put others down. Maybe you are a closet transgender and are too ashamed to admit it. And BTW, what do you have against transgenders anyway??
Lawdamurcyythatshoisahotmess!!!Her husband, agent, kid, BFF or SOMEBODY needed to stop her before she made the SECOND worst move in her life (the first one was agreeing to do a tv show. I've never heard her on radio but on tv she's horrible jumping from story to story mid-stream. It's like she's either too nervous or too scattered to remember to finish her sentences! She seems like she's high on coke IMO, and somebody PLEASE give her one dress in a different style cuz you've worn the v-neck,cinch waist,full skirt in every color/print/material on earth! Like the first commentor said...she's got the face for radio 4sure!!!
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Comments: (61)
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By: Sheryl on 7/23/2009 12:06AM
I tried to watch her show tonight cause my girl Chrisette Michelle was going to be on... I couldn't do it!! She has a face made for radio, and that is where she should have stayed!!!!
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By: "DimePiece" on 7/23/2009 10:00AM
Wendy Williams should be behind the scenes not on the scene. Wendy's show is a HOT MESS!
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By: Shanda on 7/23/2009 10:06AM
This show is wack, they should of gave miss jones
a talk show.
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By: tinecity on 7/23/2009 2:52PM
miss jones is wack, she only had one hit song!
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By: miah on 7/23/2009 2:20PM
I love Wendy W. and I am very glad she's back on television. I think she's very funny and entertaining. She says it like it is, and it's always about what everybody else is thinking but would never say it. I do feel though, that it is too soon to quit the radio show because TV is very unstable as far as daytime talk shows go. Many got a show, but only a few have lasted significantly amounts of seasons. I suppose she can always go back to radio, where she's well established and has a huge following. Congratulations and good luck Wendy!
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By: Phil on 7/23/2009 2:24PM
Good bye Brownie!
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By: Carrie Sandler on 7/23/2009 2:38PM
Is she transgender? She definitely looks like it. Fake hair, fake boobs, masculine face. I tried to watch the show today to see what it was all about and couldn't stand looking at her.
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By: Pat on 7/23/2009 3:50PM
I wonder how ugly you are because if you felt good about yourself then youy wouldnt put others down. Maybe you are a closet transgender and are too ashamed to admit it. And BTW, what do you have against transgenders anyway??
PBN
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By: Chuck on 7/23/2009 2:45PM
I thought she was RuPaul at first glance. Then realized she is a woman, I think.
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By: kitty on 7/23/2009 2:48PM
Lawdamurcyythatshoisahotmess!!!Her husband, agent, kid, BFF or SOMEBODY needed to stop her before she made the SECOND worst move in her life (the first one was agreeing to do a tv show. I've never heard her on radio but on tv she's horrible jumping from story to story mid-stream. It's like she's either too nervous or too scattered to remember to finish her sentences! She seems like she's high on coke IMO, and somebody PLEASE give her one dress in a different style cuz you've worn the v-neck,cinch waist,full skirt in every color/print/material on earth! Like the first commentor said...she's got the face for radio 4sure!!!
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