By Elise Jones, babybites blog editor
Wendy Williams is a TV talk show host, best-selling author, and a mom who began her self-titled daytime talk show in 2009. Her vivacious, no-hold-back personality has taken her from top-rated radio show to her own TV talk show (which happened to win People Magazine’s top TV show of 2009). babybites was given the opportunity to talk to Wendy about her family life, her holiday traditions, and her talk show. Let’s just say this conversation was NOT what we expected and a whole lot of fun!
babybites: What are your family holiday traditions?
Wendy Williams: To me the holidays are all about family and food. There are 10 people in my immediate family that I celebrate with. We stay in our PJs and sweats all day and keep it really informal. It’s about family and the smells. My mom, sister, & I bring in food and/or order out. It’s a lot of work to cook and clean up. My days are very busy and I want to enjoy my holidays being together; that’s what it’s all about. The #1 things I’m thankful for are health and family and I don’t want to work self to be sick. Also this year there will be no Christmas decorations that have to be hung and no Christmas tree. There won’t be Santa too this year since Kevin Jr. (9 years old) doesn’t believe anymore. It’s just a big pain in the behind to do it by myself every year and the guys enjoy screwing them up.
bb: Do you have a favorite holiday TV show or movie?
WW: We always watch Beyonce’s special on TV. I look for things all of us can watch together as a family. We love Beyonce for her sexy, Sasha fierceness. We also catch the movie “All in the Family.”
bb: What is the best gift you’ve been given and the best gift you have given?
WW: The best gift I received was my son after having three miscarriages. He was a blessing. I don’t know what the best gift I ever given is. My husband is the great gift giver!
bb: What charity and volunteer opportunities do you participate in with your family?
WW: I love to give back to different charities. One that I strongly support is the gay men’s health crisis. The gay community has always been good to me. I also just participated in the “Together for Care” Alzheimer’s Foundation of America Telethon hosted by Al Roker on December 4. One out of four people is affected by Alzheimer’s! But my number one charity interest is children. I love to work with children’s causes, especially bullying and diabetes. I don’t know the reason why bullying is so prevalent now but I can’t stand it.
bb: What are your tips for keeping life with kids organized?
WW: I am not a hoarder. Usually I am a minimalist in stuff sitting around and with everything I buy I’m able to give something away. I don’t even like to put things in freezer and I only keep a couple of things in there! Each week I plan meals on Sundays and that’s all I buy at the grocery store.
bb: What online or real-world parenting resources do you use?
WW: Usually I compare my ideas to what my sister and mom do/did. My sister has two kids: one in college and one in high school. They are my two main resources. Also I’ve never been afraid to make a mistake. Some of the best situations have come out of quagmire.
bb: What is your favorite segment of your TV show?
WW: It’s a tie between “Hot Topics” and “Ask Wendy”. Those two things have me identify with studio audience the most. It’s me looking at camera and also seeing reaction of studio audience.
bb: What is your favorite part of being a talk-show host?
WW: It is what I was born to do. I find it as natural to me as breathing and natural to my interest. I also get to work closely with my husband (he’s an executive producer on her TV show). We get to commute together in morning and he’s in studio with me. We work well together and we are mature enough to agree to disagree.
bb: Do you pick out your clothes or do you have a wardrobe consultant for the show?
WW: My stylist is Deborah Medeiros Baker and we are age appropriate for each other. She understands my stage in life. When we were looking for my stylist, I didn’t want 20-year-old club kid to dress me like Rihanna. As far as clothes go, I LOVE St. John pencil skirts and Deborah and I work great together. At the end of the day I do have the last minute say on what I wear.