Arts & Entertainment
Wendy Williams Spends Birthday Giving Back With Gala And Campaign
The daytime talk show host celebrated her big day by unveiling her 'Be Here' campaign to support those battling drug addiction. See pics!
Wendy Williams celebrated her birthday last night at Manhattan's iconic Hammerstein Ballroom by unveiling her new 'Be Here' campaign, which will help combat drug addiction.
The evening was hosted by TV personality and actress Torrei Hart, and featured performances by Johnny Gill and Keri Hilson, with a special honoring of the late Natalie Cole.
Daniela's Lens was there to celebrate with Wendy and document the evening exclusively for Patch.
4:30 p.m.
At the Hammerstein Ballroom
I'm way too early.
5:45 p.m.
Two more press photographers show up, five house photographers and a lot of video crews. We check in and get ready for the red carpet.
6:02 p.m.
"Let's see if Wendy comes," one photographer says.
"It's her birthday party!" I say.
"I've seen the strangest things over the years," he says!
6:18 p.m.
CNN host Don Lemon is first on the carpet.
6:24 p.m.
Stylist Preston Konrad @prestonkonrad.
6:28 p.m.
The mayor of Jersey City Steven Fulop @stevenfulopjc and his wife, Jaclyn Thompson.
6:35 p.m.
Singer Kim Coles @kimcoles is all excited.
6:55 p.m.
"Come with me on the carpet" Derek Luke @derekluke says to his wife.
"I don't know..." Sophia says.
"We want you next to him!" the photographers say.
Click click.
6:57 p.m.
Wendy is here!
6:58 p.m.
And she brought her parents!
Shirley and Thomas Williams.
7:03 p.m.
Happy Birthday, Wendy!
7:04 p.m.
Victoria Rowell @victoriarowell, Wendy Williams @wendyshow, and Torrei Hart @torreihart.
7:08 pm
Mario @marioworldwide.
7:10 p.m.
Time to go inside and get the party started!
There are two good reasons to be excited: It's Wendy's birthday, and she is unveiling the new campaign 'Be Here' started by the Hunter Foundation to fight drug addiction. The goal is to raise $10 Million over five years. The money will go to a Youth Leader Program with mentorship and counseling programs and to a clinical research study to get insights on the effects of K2 (synthetic marijuana).
7:50 p.m.
Actress Selenis Leyva is too late for the red carpet but not too late for the party!
8:18 p.m.
Hi, there!
Juju, Remy Ma @remyma, and Yandy-Smith @yandysmith.
8:53 p.m.
Performer PM asks Wendy to come on stage.
"We have a birthday cake for you!"
8:54 p.m.
Wow!
8:58 p.m.
Papoose brought his daughter Dejanae Mackie.
9:21 p.m.
Next up is Keri Hilson @kerihilson.
9:33 p.m.
Keri wants Wendy to dance.
"I can't dance," Wendy says. "because I don't have a butt!" she jokes.
9:42 p.m.
Carla Hall says happy birthday.
9:53 p.m.
Johnny Gill sings the greatest hits.
10:05 p.m.
And he brought roses for Wendy. Awwww.
10:10 p.m.
The night ends with everyone dancing and singing along Johnny Gill. Great party, Wendy!
Daniela Kirsch is a renowned entertainment photographer and founder of NameFace — an event photo agency based in New York City. Through her creative expertise and unique visual style, Kirsch not only just knows more than just a thing or two about photographing A-list events, but is forever changing the way we interact with the entertainment industry.
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