First there was #FreeBritney. Now, fans are rallying behind Wendy Williams.

If you thought the fight against controversial celebrity conservatorships ended with Britney Spears, think again. A new movement is gaining momentum as fans rally around another beloved media personality facing similar circumstances: Wendy Williams.

The former talk show queen has become the centre of a growing public debate following revelations about her guardianship arrangement and deteriorating health.

For over a decade, Wendy Williams dominated daytime television with her no-holds-barred approach to celebrity gossip and vibrant personality. But behind the scenes, her health was quietly deteriorating.

As documented in the recent Lifetime documentary Where Is Wendy Williams?, the 60-year-old has been battling multiple serious health conditions, including Graves' disease, lymphedema, and a particularly devastating diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia and aphasia.

Watch Wendy Williams on The View. Article continues after video.

The documentary featured distressing footage of Williams, who appeared disoriented, struggled with memory loss, and was exhibiting erratic behaviour. In one particularly heartbreaking moment, she admitted to her former manager, "I have no money," despite her once-lucrative career.

In 2022, Williams was placed under a financial guardianship after Wells Fargo froze her accounts, claiming she was of "unsound mind" and a "victim of undue influence and financial exploitation". This legal arrangement has given control of her finances and many personal decisions to a court-appointed guardian.

Now fans have become increasingly concerned about Williams' well-being under this arrangement, particularly after a rare interview where she appeared to express frustration with her current situation.

"It was my choice to get an independent evaluation on my incapacitation, which I don't have," Williams emphasised on The View. "How dare they say I have incapacitation. I do not!"

Fans have become increasingly concerned about Williams' wellbeing. Image: Getty.

"It's been over three years, and it's time for my money and my life to get back to status quo," she said.

The parallels to Britney Spears' 13-year conservatorship battle are hard to ignore. Both women are entertainment icons who found themselves stripped of their independence following public struggles with their health.

Social media has exploded with the hashtag #FreeWendy, with supporters questioning whether the guardianship is truly necessary or if it's another case of overreach in the name of protection.

"NO person should have their human rights confiscated in the name of 'protecting money' – not Britney, not Wendy, not Mickey Rooney. #FreeWendy," one user commented on X.

"Wendy Williams sounds fine to me. #TheView she sounds sane to me," another wrote.

The #FreeBritney movement provided a powerful template for public advocacy around guardianship issues. What began as conspiracy theories from devoted fans eventually led to serious investigations into the alleged abuses within Spears' conservatorship, culminating in its termination in November 2021.

The parallels to Britney Spears' 13-year conservatorship battle are hard to ignore. Image: Getty.

Like Britney, Wendy's supporters are questioning whether the restrictions placed on her are proportionate to her needs, or if they've gone beyond protection into exploitation.

Williams' situation has reignited important conversations about disability rights, financial autonomy, and the fine line between protection and control.

One thing is clear: the public is increasingly unwilling to accept the removal of autonomy from public figures without substantial justification and oversight. And in the age of social media activism, no guardianship — no matter how legally sound — should be immune from public scrutiny.

Feature Image: Getty.