Pop Culture

Judge Reportedly Tells Wendy Williams Her Career Is 'Done'

The judge made the comments during a hearing to discuss Williams' guardianship.

Wendy Williams in a pink fur coat and cap, smiling at an event with a crowd in the background.
Image via Johnny Nunez/Getty Images

Wendy Williams was reportedly "hurt" by a judge's comments about her career during a recent day in court for her ongoing guardianship issues.

TMZ reports the former TV host appeared in court on Thursday regarding her guardianship. Multiple sources told the outlet that Judge Lisa Sokoloff unexpectedly started discussing Williams’ career, saying that she had a great run but that it’s now over.

“It’s done,” the judge allegedly said.

Sokoloff also apparently criticized Williams’ niece, Alex Finnie, claiming she leaked sensitive information to the media and warning her she’ll face sanctions if done again. The judge described Wendy’s family as “no good.”

The sources told TMZ that Sokoloff’s comments “hurt Wendy deeply,” and it’s unclear why she made them, as they seemed unprompted.

Joe Tacopina has since come on as Williams’ attorney. On Friday, he told TMZ that the judge made those remarks during a “court proceeding that has nothing to do with her career” and displays “bias.” He also described Williams as “absolutely capable” of hosting a talk show.

Last month, Williams said she was ready to end her guardianship after passing her capacity test. “At this point in my life, I want to terminate [the] guardianship and move on with my life, if that's possible at all,” she told The View.

In 2022, Wells Fargo froze Williams’ bank accounts and petitioned for financial guardianship as her health began to deteriorate. She had been diagnosed with Graves’ disease in 2018 and primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia in 2023.

A court later assigned New York lawyer Sabrina Morrissey to become Williams’ guardian, and the 60-year-old now lives in a care facility in New York City.

Related Stories

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 15: Wendy Williams seen at Tucci restaurant in NoHo on March 15, 2025 in New York City.
pop-culture

Wendy Williams Says She's Ready to 'Terminate' Guardianship After Passing Capacity Test

The media personality stressed wanting to "to get out" of her guardianship during a phone interview on 'The View.'

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 17: Wendy Williams and son, Kevin Hunter Jr. attend the ceremony honoring Wendy Williams with a Star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame held on October 17, 2019 in Hollywood, California.
pop-culture

Wendy Williams Says Son Kevin Jr. ‘Overstepped His Boundaries’ by Mishandling Her Money

Williams says her son "inappropriately" used her money without consulting her.

Meek Mill and Wendy Williams
pop-culture

Meek Mill Says Wendy Williams Was 'in a Daze' When They Were Neighbors

Williams has been in a financial guardianship since 2022, which she recently called a 'prison.'

tara mahadevan453 days ago

Stay ahead on Exclusives

Download the Complex App