Wendy Williams’ ex-husband and former executive producer on her eponymous Daytime Emmys-winning talk show, Kevin Hunter, says he has proof he played a more significant role on the series than suggested amid his $7 million lawsuit against the production company behind the show. The former employee claims he was wrongfully terminated from the talk show due to his marital status to Williams.
As previously reported, Hunter is suing the founders of Debmar-Mercury, Ira Bernstein and Mort Marcus, for wrongfully firing him just one week after Williams filed for divorce in April 2019 after his then-girlfriend Sharina Hudson gave birth to their child in March 2019.
According to email copies obtained by Radar, Ira wrote Hunter stating, “Out of respect for our 10-year working relationship, we had hoped to meet you in person and traveled to New York to do so, but unfortunately, you have canceled today’s meeting.”
The email noted that they were “left with no choice but to communicate to you in writing that effective immediately, your role as Executive Producer of the Wendy Williams Show is terminated, and your professional relationship with Debmar- Mercury is also concluded.”
Aforementioned in his complaint, Hunter alleged that “was an integral part of the inner workings of the Show and Debmar was unable to fill the absence of Plaintiff’s departure.” He also noted that he was highly involved in conceptualizing “the wildly popular segments ‘Hot Topics,’ ‘Shoe Cam,’ and ‘Hot Seat’ segments of the show.”
The former exec claimed that Debmar-Mercury “breached their foregoing agreements” by firing him, failing to remove appropriate credits, and stopping payments he states are “rightfully payable to him under the Product Integrations Agreement,” People reported.
Hunter is seeking “compensatory, punitive damages, an award of costs, interest and attorney’s fees, and such other and further relief as this Court deems just and proper.” He claims that he has suffered roughly $7 million to $10 million in “economic loss” due to his termination.
“The Wendy Williams Show” had been on air since its premiere on July 14, 2008, airing on several networks throughout the years, including Fox and BET. Last month it was announced that after 13 seasons, the show would be canceled later this summer.
Actress and comedian Sherri Shepherd, who’d been filling in as guest host on the show as Williams battles severe health issues, also announced her new talk show titled “Sherri,” set to air during the same time frame currently held by the longtime talk show host.
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