The diva act is getting a location change… in a sense. Popular talk-show host and former radio personality Wendy Williams is donating a host of her trademarked items to the Smithsonian Institution.
Viewers can witness history, as The Wendy Williams Show is getting bling-fully inducted into the hallowed halls of the Smithsonian. A representative for the museum will appear on Friday’s episode to accept and collect some of Williams’ best bedazzled props for its pop-culture collection. Also included in this exhibit are objects like Dorothy’s ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz, Kermit the Frog and Archie Bunker’s easy chair.
“I’m so proud to host this messy little talk show,” Williams told New York Daily News. “And I’m thrilled to bits that one of America’s most revered institutions — that I went to as a child! — deems me worthy enough to preserve this little bit of history for everyone to share.” The lineup of memorabilia includes Christian Louboutin heels and the purple Tadashi dress Williams wore for the show’s first photo shoot, a wig, a wig head, a script, a pink microphone and a light-up “diva fan” with Williams’ signature catchphrase “How you doin’?”
The show, which usually airs live, was taped late Thursday and went through strenuous measures to be kept under wraps. “I’ve given up one of my favorite wigs to go to a new home in the museum,” Williams said. The ‘twombre,’ as she has affectionately dubbed it, “began life as a brunette. But my wigologist dyed it blond, leaving darker roots, to give it a bit of ‘How you doin’?’ sass. I wear it all the time on the show.” The Smithsonian said that Williams is the first talk-show host to donate objects to the entertainment collection.
“This is such an amazing honor. I’m not sure anything in my life has ever compared to it,” Williams told the Daily News. “To be in the Smithsonian alongside some of the best-known people and characters in entertainment history is just — words can’t express how overwhelmed I feel right now,” Williams said. Her talk show debuted in July 2009 and is currently in its fifth season. Previous, she had a 23-year stint as a radio personality.
