Wendy Williams returned to the airwaves on Monday, appearing on her eponymopus daytime talk show for the first time this year after a leave of absence that lasted over two months.
She was greeted with a rapturous applause from the audience that lasted well over a minute and was then cut off by Williams, so she could thank her fans for standing by her and waiting for her return.
Williams explained the reason behind her extended vacation, and then later in the show opened up about her marriage amid rumors of a strained relationship with her husband Kevin.
She also pointed out she is still wearing her wedding ring.
In 2017 DailyMail.com revealed that Kevin was having an affair with a 32-year-old massage therapist, and had even bought her a $750,000 house just miles away from the family home.
‘I want to shout-out to my husband. I’m still wearing my ring,’ said Williams in the middle of her Hot Topics segment.
‘Well, Believe me you, when you’ve been with somebody for 28 years, married for 25 years – when he got married we waited like four years before doing the baby projects and stuff.’
She went on to say: ‘So we know each other. He is my best friend, my lover, he’s all this and he’s all that.’
She’s back: Wendy Williams (above on Monday at the top of her show with her ring shown) was back on her eponymous talk show for the first time this year, after extending her holiday break by two months
![She's back: Wendy Williams (above on Monday at the top of her show) was back on her eponymous talk show for the first time this year, after extending her holiday break by two months](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/03/04/17/10563266-6769675-She_s_back_Wendy_Williams_above_on_Monday_at_the_top_of_her_show-m-47_1551718791597.jpg)
![Williams](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/03/04/17/10563264-6769675-image-m-49_1551718806236.jpg)
Sick|: She explained her absence by revealing she had been put on new thyroid medicine and was dealing with her Graves Disease
![Back in the day: She opened up about her marriage and said she is standing by her husband before flaunting her wedding band and engagement ring (Williams and husband Kevin above in a photo taken 28 years ago)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/03/04/16/10563260-6769675-image-m-42_1551718615404.jpg)
Back in the day: She opened up about her marriage and said she is standing by her husband before flaunting her wedding band and engagement ring (Williams and husband Kevin above in a photo taken 28 years ago)
Williams said she is feeling ‘swell’ now while vaguely touching on the reason she never returned from her holiday break.
‘They are adjusting my thyroid meds, and then the eyeballs attached to the thyroid — which is my Graves’ Disease,’ explained Williams.
‘And I always have equilibrium stuff, with my vertigo and a million other things. And I’m the kind of patient — if I cough, I’m thinking I’m dying.’
She then added: ‘I can’t even tell you how many doctors I have. But I want to shout out each and everyone of you. Thank you so much.’
Williams was clearly in high spirits as she waltzed out onto the stage to kick off the show wearing a pleated black dress and a $350 Valentino tee that was cut down the middle to show off Williams’ ample cleavage.
Williams went sensible when it came to her footwear however, opting for a pair of white sneakers rather than heels.
She also revealed there was a good deal of self-care going on during his time away from the show.
‘I wanted to take some time for myself. I am my own best friend. You know that, I’ve told you that forever. When you get into yourself, you are your own best friend,’ said Williams.
‘So I’m at home, I’m taking my thyroid meds, I am meditating. Oh, believe me you. I’m going to the gym seven days a week for two hours a day.’
She then took stock of her look for the day and declared: ‘I don’t know how this outfit is reading on TV, but mother has not gained a pound. You have to take care of yourself.’
‘He is my best friend, my lover, he’s all this and he’s all that. I know what you’ve been saying and I know what the streets have been talking about,’ said Williams.
‘But, hunty, let me show you who I fell in love with a new you fell in love with. Hit it.’
She then shared an old photo of herself and her husband from the beginning of their relationship.
‘I love that picture because I’m a creature of habit. That was me with leggings … That was me with my B cup boobs. Before any plastic surgery and anything. That was me, 28 years ago,’ said Williams.
‘I have to say, through the magic of science, good eating, and working out, that’s not me anymore. It’s still me in the head and I’m still very much in love with my husband. Anybody who has been married for 5 minutes or 500 years, you know marriages have ebbs and flows. Marriages are not easy.’
She then added: ‘And don’t ask me about mine until you see this gone [waving her engagement rings and weddign band]. It ain’t going anywhere, not in this lifetime.’
Williams then closed oyut the segment with anotehr nod to her fans.
‘Like, it’s weird doing Hot Topics and being a hot topic. You know what I mean?’ she said to the audience.
‘What I love about our show is you’ve given me permission to be me. What I love about me is I am fearless to give me you. And you might be mad at me one day and not want to watch the show, but you turn me back on three days later and you are like, “That damn Wendy. I don’t even know why I watch this — but I like her.”‘