I don’t know if I agree with the comment in a recent Daily Mail UK article that talker Wendy Williams has returned to her "mean girl ways." As a frequent viewer of Wendy on Fox TV, I think she's a little gentler and kinder than she was in the past.

I admit I’ve been a fan of the blousy, well-dressed, hard talking New Yorker -- who started her career as a radio host in the US Virgin Islands for WVLS. I listened to Wendy back when she was an urban DJ for WRKS in NY. Yep, those were the "golden days" of radio — times when the tuner led you to the Howard Stern Show with his crazy entourage or the silky voice of Alison Steele, the Night Bird. And I take my hat off to any woman who can really make it on the air because it's still harder for women. I'm not being sexist -- just realistic.

Wendy Williams is loud, likes to gossip, and tells it like it is. Her phrase "How you doin?!," recited with hands curving like cats’ paws, is her trademark. It is mirrored by her enthusiastic live studio audience every time she runs on stage with her iconic greeting.

She gossips and gossips -- then gossips more. "Hot Topics" is the foundation of her success. I admit I like celebrity gossip. It can take us out of the sometimes drab existence of a dull day or lonely night. 

Wendy is larger than life with her tall stature and over-the-top wigs. Not to mention, she is talented and creative. The TV host has her own fashion line and best sellers.

But she is also vulnerable. She has worn her heart on her sleeve through a very public and miserable separation from Kevin Hunter, her husband of 22 years who executive produced her show (since fired by Wendy herself). He had a side chick, his one-time massage therapist, with whom he moved into a luxurious home only a few miles from his wife. Sharina Hudson gave birth to their daughter on March 27. That was the final straw for the star.

Wendy bared her soul to her fans; finally admitting her husband Kevin was no good and she wanted to end their long union. She said the best thing that resulted from the marriage is her son Kevin Jr., a college student in Florida.

The talk show host has revealed all. She suffers from alcoholism and had a cocaine addiction. She has talked openly about physical challenges that include Graves Disease and lymphedema. To me, Wendy seems more vulnerable than ever. I like her more now. I think all the trials and tribulations have made a softer and gentler Wendy. We need to dissolve the stigma surrounding addictions. Addicts are not by nature bad. They have a brain disease.

It takes courage for a celebrity to "come out" so-to-speak with addiction truths. Hats off to the 55-year-old Williams, who is recreating herself once again.