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
Being in the radio industry for over three decades, I’ve witnessed countless moments of rejection and triumph. This story of Wendy Williams confronting Elroy Smith, one of the most respected program directors in the radio industry, is a testament to her tenacity and perseverance. Smith overlooked the potential Williams presented early in her career, a decision he might have reconsidered given her subsequent success. This interaction is an important reminder that setbacks can be the stepping stones to greatness and that the industry’s gatekeepers don’t always recognize the next big thing when they see it.
Key Takeaways
- Rejection can fuel ambition
- Talent often goes unrecognized
- Even top industry figures can overlook potential
- Perseverance pays off in the radio industry
- Success is the best revenge
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.
