Nick Cannon stepped in as guest host of “The Wendy Williams Show” on Monday, Feb. 4 and gave viewers an update on the host’s extended absence. He also addressed rumors about Williams’ marriage.
“And I got to say it off top, everybody want to know. I spoke to Wendy,” Cannon said, amid cheers from the audience. “I talked to her and honestly, she sounded amazing y’all,” he continued.
“We jumped on the phone and first thing she said: ‘Nick Cannon, how you doing?'” Cannon said. “Honestly, I didn’t know what to expect at first. But her spirit was so big. It was so amazing.”
He also addressed rumors that have been circulating about possible marriage tensions between Williams, 54, and her husband Kevin Hunter.
“And you know what was also really awesome?” Cannon said. “I had a conversation with her and her whole family and she said she wanted to speak as a family unit. Her, I talked to Kevin, little Kevin, they said they all good,” Cannon said, referring to his conversation with Williams, Kevin, and their son, Kevin Hunter Jr.
“The love and the passion is still there ’cause that’s what you need in times like this is your family to stick together with you.”
Cannon said the conversation “got a little emotional” between him and Williams as he spoke about his own battle with the autoimmune disease lupus.
“It did, because when I spoke to her, she just said she feels y’all love, you know what I mean? And she knows that there’s probably a lot of questions that haven’t been answered,” he said.
“But as someone who also deals with an autoimmune condition—I was diagnosed with lupus before—I know when you go through these things and these flare-ups and stuff, you never know. It’s day by day, y’all,” he said. “You know, you one day could be a strong day and the next day you can’t even get out of bed.”
In mid-January Williams and her family issued a statement regarding her health.
“As Wendy Williams Hunter previously shared, she fractured her shoulder and has been on the mend. Over the past few days, Wendy has experienced complications regarding her Graves’ Disease that will require treatment,” the statement read.
“Wendy will be under strict supervision of her physicians, and as part of her care, there will be significant time spent in the hospital. Despite her strong desire to return, she is taking a necessary, extended break from her show to focus on her personal and physical well-being.”
— Wendy Williams (@WendyWilliams) January 18, 2019
During that time, it was also announced that Cannon would be taking over as guest host from Feb. 4 through Feb. 6.
On Monday, Feb. 4, Cannon said despite all the health issues, Williams “sounded so strong and she wanted to thank each and every one of you.”
“We was tearing up and everything, because she said something to me that was actually really powerful,” Cannon continued. “Because you know me and Wendy had a love-hate relationship over the years. But it’s nothing but love, because I love my queen.”
Cannon said Williams wanted to dispel any negative rumors floating around:
“She said there can be negativity out there and she hears the things about people talking about her family unit and what’s going on, and she was like, ‘You know what, we don’t want to bring that negative energy when you’re trying to heal.'”
Cannon also said Williams told him, “Have fun, but don’t get too comfortable because I’m coming back!”
