Who Are 'The Wendy Williams Show' Guest Hosts and Where Is the Talk Show Star?

Long-running daytime talk show The Wendy Williams Show has been hosted by a rotation of guest hosts since October 2021 and February will look no different, with comedian Michael Rapaport returning as the guest host on Monday, January 31.

However, Rapaport will not be the only guest host sitting in the purple chair, with some famous faces set to make their co-hosting debut very soon. So, who are The Wendy Williams Show guest hosts and where is Williams? Newsweek has everything you need to know.

Who Are 'The Wendy Williams Show' Guest Hosts?

Fans of The Wendy Williams Show do not need to worry, the much-loved series has been left in the capable hands of comedian Michael Rapaport, rappers Fat Joe and Remy Ma, TV personality Bevy Smith, entertainment reporter Terrence J, and comedian Sherri Shepherd.

Fans will be used to seeing Rapaport, who most recently starred in Netflix's Atypical, as the guest host of The Wendy Williams Show. He stepped in back in 2019 and again in November 2021. In February 2022 he will be returning to the role for two weeks.

Fat Joe and Remy Ma are also no strangers to hosting The Wendy Williams Show, having taken on the ropes in 2018. Shepherd also stood in for Williams in February 2019.

For Smith and Terrence J, February will mark their first time co-hosting the show.

Newsweek has the full hosting schedule below.

• Michael Rapaport: Monday, January 31 until Friday, February 4
• Fat Joe and Remy Ma: Monday, February 7 until Friday, February 11
• Bevy Smith and Terrence J: Monday, February 14 until Friday, February 18
• Sherri Shepherd: Monday, February 21 until February 25
• Michael Rapaport: Monday, February 28 until Friday, March 4

Where is Wendy Williams and Why Is She Absent?

Wendy Williams has been absent from her show since the premiere of the 13th season in October 2021.

The original September premiere date was delayed by several weeks to October 18, 2021, after Williams contracted COVID-19.

A statement on the official Wendy Williams Show Instagram ahead of the October 18 premiere confirmed Williams was under "medical supervision" but was "experiencing serious complications as a direct result of Graves' Disease [an immune system disorder] and her thyroid condition."

Eventually, the show launched without Williams at the helm. Guest hosts who stepped in for Season 13 included Leah Remini, Michelle Visage, Whitney Cummings, Michelle Buteau and Bill Bellamy, as well as Shepherd and Rapaport.

Williams remains absent from Season 14 and at the moment, the exact reason for her absence is unclear. However, it is thought she is still recovering from her ongoing health problems.

In November 2021, Wendy posted an update on the official The Wendy Williams Show Instagram page, stating she was "making progress" but her recovery was "taking longer than expected."

In a lengthy post, she added: "I'm a woman of a certain age, and I know enough to listen to my doctors and will return to my purple chair as soon as we all agree I'm ready."

Sadly, Williams's recent absence is not the first time she has had to miss her show. In February 2018, she canceled three shows because of illness and later announced she was taking a three-week break because of ongoing health issues. Actor Jerry O'Connell stepped in as guest host, with Williams returning on March 19.

She embarked on another hiatus in January and February 2019 after a shoulder injury and complications from Graves' disease. O'Connell returned to guest host alongside Nick Cannon, Keke Palmer, Rapaport and Shepherd.

When Will Wendy Williams return?

Unfortunately, at the moment, Williams' return to her purple chair has not been officially confirmed.

With Rapaport set to fulfill hosting duties until Friday, March 4, audiences will not see the return of Williams until the week beginning March 7 at the earliest.

Newsweek has contacted The Wendy Williams Show for comment.

The Wendy Williams Show airs weekdays at 8am E.T. on Fox.