Drake Magazine / Radio Legend
Wendy Williams
Verified profile information for Drake Magazine Radio Legends.
- City / market
- New York City
- Key radio markets
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Early career
- Wendy Williams studied communications at Northeastern University and worked as a DJ at the university's radio station, WRBB. After beginning her professional radio career, she eventually arrived at New York's 98.7 KISS FM (WRKS) in 1989. She initially worked as a fill-in DJ before becoming part of the morning show. Williams later received her own evening radio shift.
- Radio station(s)
- WRKS / 98.7 KISS FM · WQHT / HOT 97 · WBLS / 107.5 FM
- Years active / era
- 1980s–2009
- Awards / recognition
- Billboard Award recognition for Best On-Air Radio Personality — 1993 · Radio Hall of Fame — Class of 2009
About
Wendy Williams is a Radio Hall of Fame broadcaster, media personality and author whose career in radio helped establish the outspoken interview and entertainment style that she later brought to national television. Her New York radio career included major roles at WRKS/KISS FM, HOT 97 and WBLS. After leaving HOT 97 in 1998, Williams worked in Philadelphia radio before returning to New York in 2001. WBLS hired Williams for an afternoon-drive program that became a major chapter of her radio career.
Career highlights
Studied communications at Northeastern University · Worked as a DJ at Northeastern's WRBB · Joined 98.7 KISS FM (WRKS) in New York in 1989 · Became part of the station's morning show before receiving her own evening shift · Won Billboard recognition for her work as an on-air radio personality in 1993 · Transitioned to HOT 97 following changes involving WRKS in 1994 · Worked in Philadelphia radio after leaving HOT 97 in 1998 · Returned to New York radio at WBLS in 2001 · Hosted her syndicated afternoon-drive program on WBLS · Ended her WBLS radio show in July 2009 to focus on her television career · Transitioned from radio into nationally syndicated daytime television with The Wendy Williams Show
Notable shows / programs
The Wendy Williams Experience · WBLS Afternoon Drive · WRKS / 98.7 KISS FM programming · HOT 97 programming
Impact on Carolina radio
Wendy Williams developed a distinctive style of personality-driven radio centered on celebrity interviews, entertainment news, pop culture and candid conversation. Her years at major New York stations including WRKS, HOT 97 and WBLS helped establish the broadcasting identity that later carried into her national television career. Her influence on radio was formally recognized with induction into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2009.
Career beyond radio
After leaving daily radio in 2009, Williams concentrated on television. Her radio personality and interview style became the foundation for her nationally syndicated daytime program: The Wendy Williams Show.
Social / official links
No official links supplied.