About This Video
Early on, in Wendy Williams’s career, when she was young and just starting out, she was eager to find work in the radio business. One of the most respected program directors in the industry, Elroy Smith, who still works in radio today, was approached by Wendy with what we call an “air check,” which is a summary of her work on the air. Apparently, he didn’t see hiring her as a great opportunity for whatever station he was at at the time, and she never forgot the rejection. Here she gets to confront him about not hiring her when she was amid her success and how it affected her as a young talent. This all happened during the midst of her success on the Wendy Williams show.
Background & Context
As someone who’s been in this industry for over 30 years, I can tell you that Wendy’s story is a testament to the resilience and determination that is often required to make it in the radio business. It’s not uncommon for talented individuals like Wendy to face rejection early in their careers. But what sets people like Wendy apart is their ability to use these experiences as fuel to keep pushing forward. This story serves as a reminder that even the most successful individuals in our industry have faced hurdles, and it’s how we respond to these setbacks that defines our career trajectories.
Key Takeaways
- Wendy Williams faced rejection early in her career
- Elroy Smith, a respected program director, was the one who didn’t see her potential at the time
- Rejection can serve as motivation to succeed
- Success in the radio industry requires resilience and determination
- Even the most successful industry figures have faced setbacks
About Kevin Ross
Kevin Ross is a music and broadcast industry veteran with more than
30 years of firsthand experience spanning radio programming, on-air
talent, record promotion, voice work, publishing, and digital media.
He has worked every side of the business — from the air studio to
the boardroom — and built one of the longest-running digital platforms
dedicated to Black radio and music industry coverage.
30 Plus Years In is where that experience lives on video.
