Wendy Williamsis helping Dee Barnes get back on her feet.
Nearly a month after the veteran hip-hop journalist and rapper launched aGoFundMe fundraiserin an effort toavoid being evicted from her home, Williams surprised Barnes with a significant monetary gift.
On Thursday’sepisodeofTheWendy WilliamsShow, Barnes sat down with Williams, discussing her current financial state after opening up about Dr. Dre’s physical assault against her nearly 30 years ago.
“I wanted to put it out there because I knew it was going to get out there eventually. I had several jobs I couldn’t keep. I couldn’t keep the rent up. There was stuff that I was trying to do on the side, freelancing that wasn’t coming through,” Barnes said about why she started the GoFundMe.
In the fundraiser’s information section, she wrote, “Standing in our own truth not the definitions or the expectations is powerful, and this is my TRUTH … Yes, I did post the link to my PayPal, CashApp and GooglePay accounts asking for help because I am in the process of being evicted.”
“This page was created as an emergency fund to stop the process and the subsequent legal fees,” explained Barnes, who is known for having been part of the hip-hop duo Body & Soul, who released their debut single in 1989, as well as hosting hip-hop showPump It Up!and, earlier, a radio show on KDAY.
“They had no idea that I was ringing them up and they were talking about the subject and I was like, ‘Uh, will that be cash or credit card?’ " said Barnes.
Although Barnes said that she asked for $5,000 because she “wanted to stop the eviction,” she admitted, “it didn’t happen.”
Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic; Santiago Felipe/Getty
Thankfully, though, the publicity surrounding her fundraiser — including Williams' advocacy — helped raise money for Barnes.
“HipHopDX, which put it out on their website, and you speaking about it, that affected it,” said Barnes. “The money went up … It went up to $30,000 and then I closed it off.”
At that, Williams, 54, surprised Barnes with a $15,000 gift — and said that she would publish her upcoming book.
“We’ve got these friends everybody. Our friends at HotelPlanner.com and they have this service where they help people find temporary and long-term housing. So to help you and your daughter, Dee, get back on your feet, they and we are giving you $15,000 towards a place to live,” said Williams. “And I honestly believe — and I know that you’re nervous to be here and there’s part of your story I’m kind of mad at you that you didn’t tell it — but we only have a certain amount of time before we get cut off. Are you writing a book?” asked Williams before Barnes confirmed, “Yes I am” and is hoping the book will be “out this year.”
Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic
The generous gifts come at a trying time for Williams, who is in the middle of a very public divorce from husband and manager Kevin Hunter.
Last week,Williams filed for divorceafter two decades of marriage, a source confirmed to PEOPLE.
“Thank you to everyone for respecting the family’s privacy during this time. Kevin is supportive of Wendy and they are working through this process together,” the personal representative for Williams told PEOPLE in a statement. “No additional comment will be provided at this time.”
A representative for her show released the following statement: “Wendy and her family have been a part of Debmar-Mercury for over 10 years,. We respect their privacy regarding personal matters. As always, we remain committed to bringing an entertaining and topical show to our viewers.”
Also on Thursday, a spokesperson forThe Wendy Williams Showconfirmed to PEOPLE thatHunter will no longer executive produce Williams' daily talk show.Hunter has held an executive producer title for the showsince it debuted in 2008 and the two also share a production company,Wendy Williams Productions.
“Kevin Hunter is no longer an Executive Producer on theWendy WilliamsShow. Debmar-Mercury wishes him well in his future endeavors,” said the spokesperson.
Hunter allegedly fathered a child with his mistress.
On Tuesday, Hunterbroke his silenceon the split in a statement to PEOPLE, admitting he was “not proud of my recent actions” and apologizing “to my wife, my family and her amazing fans.”
“I am going through a time of self-reflection and am trying to right some wrongs,” he said. “No matter what the outcome is or what the future holds, we are still The Hunter Family and I will continue to work with and fully support my wife in this business and through any and all obstacles she may face living her new life of sobriety, while I also work on mine.”
TheWendy WilliamsShowairs weekdays (check local listings).
source: people.com
