The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Williams’ app boosts fans’ access

Talk-show celebrity isn’t phoning it in with jump to mobile space.

- By Crystal Lewis Brown For the AJC

From the time she first sat in the chair and came into our homes via her talk show, Wendy Williams has been unstoppabl­e.

Even the uninitiate­d have adopted the daytime diva’s lexicon. Don’t believe me? Ask the handful of those who have never seen the show, and surely they can immediatel­y spit back Williams’ well-known catchphras­e: “How you doin’?” in her distinct New York accent.

The secret is that “The Wendy Williams Show” isn’t just a onehour block on television, it’s a movement. A personalit­y. A community. And Williams has expanded that community to her audience’s purses and pockets through her newly released app, Wendy Digital. The app offers users the chance to not only catch up on Williams’ “Hot Topics” and check out behind-the-scenes content, but also allows users to be interactiv­e and share comments.

The Atlanta Journal-Constituti­on talked to Williams about her app and how its users can take her personalit­y beyond their living rooms.

What was your inspiratio­n behind creating the app?

My app, Wendy Digital, along with my own line of emojis (WenMojis to be exact), allow me to connect with my fans on a whole new level. Every day, my fans watch me on my show, and now through my app, they’ll have access to the latest pop culture and celebrity news, as well as see me off the show and behind the scenes, just being me.

Why an app?

Moving into the tech space is an exciting venture for me. Nowadays, the way people are constantly on their phones, checking for the latest news, and interactin­g with one another, has completely changed over the past few years, and with this shift, mobile is such a huge component. It’s

important to me to keep up with the times, and to keep my fans engaged.

What makes Wendy Digital different from what else is out there?

The WenMojis are completely curated by me and convey iconic moments for me throughout my career, to my everyday life. You’ll see everything from my “How You Doin’?” to me sipping my tea, kissy faces and more. They’re a lot of fun, and I think my fans will really enjoy them. The “Suddenly Wendy” part of the app looks like a fun way for the audience

to see Wendy behind the scenes. What can we expect to see in the future?

Through the “Suddenly Wendy” section of my app, my fans will see everything from me trying out indoor parachutin­g, to me backstage at special events, hanging with celebritie­s, cooking at home, and so much more. I’ll even be sharing my everyday secrets, from skin care products and routines, to my outfits of the day, my HSN collection and more.

What are some fun extras people can expect from the app?

It’s going to be very entertaini­ng, and allow me to connect with my fans on a whole new level. I think my fans are going to have a lot of fun with my app. I can’t wait for them to see it. With the launch of my apps, they’re opening up new doors for me to interact with my fans. It’s going to be very entertaini­ng and allow for everyone to see a side of me they may not have expected. It’s the start of a whole new way for me to engage with fans, and I’m excited to see what the future of Wendy Digital has.

 ?? CONTRIBUTE­D BY WENDY WILLIAMS DIGITAL ?? Users can download Wendy Williams’ custom WenMojis from Google and Apple app stores.
CONTRIBUTE­D BY WENDY WILLIAMS DIGITAL Users can download Wendy Williams’ custom WenMojis from Google and Apple app stores.

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