WENDY Williams’ new man says they bonded over cheating partners after he was also left “devastated” from a previous relationship as the couple plan a romantic rendezvous at his home in Maryland, The Sun can exclusively reveal.
The chat show host, who received hundreds of submission tapes from men as part of her segment Date Wendy, chose dashing contractor Mike Esterman for a date.
The pair have since kept in touch with long phone conversations and the host plans to go to his Maryland home for a visit.
“We just met for the first time, but we’ve been speaking on the phone, and I can only take it one day at a time with an open mind,” he said.
“I hope we can meet up again as schedules present themselves. I’m looking forward to treating her to Maryland crabs and crab cakes!”
Wendy is looking for love again following her nasty split from ex Kevin Hunter in 2019, following 20 years of marriage.
The couple’s split unfolded after she admitted to hiring a private investigator to tail her ex who had fathered a child with his mistress, Sharina Hudson, following a years-long affair.
Mike, who has no children and has never been married, said he “did his homework” on Wendy, even watching her Lifetime documentary, What a Mess!, which features her divorce from Hunter.
Speaking exclusively to The Sun, Mike said: “Many years ago I had a longterm, live-in relationship and gave her the world, treated her like a princess, and found she was cheating.
“It was devastating but a blessing in disguise before marrying that person.
“The dating game is hard, especially now with social media. She [Wendy] knows about the cheating girl, we all deserve happiness.
“She has made it known on the show that she is searching for a boyfriend, I did some homework and watched her documentary.
“She’s talented and confident with a touch of spice! I feel she needs a healthy balance with a sense of calmness outside of the TV world.”
Mike, 53, and Wendy dined and chatted for hours at Tao Restaurant and drank at CORE Club, before meeting up again the following day for soul food at Melbas in Harlem.
Talking about dating Wendy, Mike said he was encouraged to apply for the competition by his close friend, Mario Lopez, as he thought it would broaden his horizons.
He says he first met the 56-year-old star in his hotel lobby before she took him on a grand tour of her swanky apartment overlooking the river, which blew him away.
“I toured her place which was like a gallery of her personal memories which was very educational to see who she is,” he told The Sun.
“She is a talented painter with framed art hanging in her place which is amazing.
“Tao restaurant then really took care of me with setting up the perfect location with great food.
“I enjoyed her stories, and me being my corny, outgoing self and made her laugh.
“The date was really nice, we laughed and learned a lot about each other.
“I have been around Mario and other celebrities for years and I’m not star struck, I’m not a Hollywood guy.
“I like that I’m a no bulls**t type of guy and a man of my word with good intentions and beliefs.”
Mike said the host spoke about her 20-year-old son Kevin with ex Hunter, who he’d “love to meet” and shared her battle with Lymphedema which has caused swelling to her ankles and resulted in her struggling to walk.
He said: “I was not aware it existed, she can walk, just at a slower pace than others and if it’s long areas like airports, a wheelchair can come in handy. Otherwise, she is very mobile in day-to-day activities.”
The flirty pair had to leave Tao at 10pm on their first date as the restaurant closed early due to Covid regulations in New York, but boxed up their left-overs.
Mike then managed to sneak in a cheeky kiss, saying: “There was no make-out session, just a gentlemanly kiss at the end of the night.”
Wendy shared a snap of the couple cuddling up in the back of a car during their adventure, captioned: “Mike & I are having fun!! I’m glad he’s a REAL gentleman.”
She then dished all about her date on the show, saying: “I like him. I really really like Mike. We’re [close]. We didn’t have the sex, but we’re close. Based on the virus you don’t get close to people, but I couldn’t resist.
Wendy added Mike reminds her of the Sex and the City character, Charlotte’s husband, Harry Goldenblatt.
She went on: “He’s so nice. He’s such a gentleman. He’s so respectful… I really like him.
“We kissed… You know I get tested all the time. We kissed. He’s got to stand on his tippy toes… Like I really like him, and he really likes me.
“Like it broke my heart when he was leaving. Like I walked him to the elevator and waited for the doors to close.”
Wendy also said of their date: “We had like a two-hour dinner to a point where the maitre d’ had to come over and say we’re closing now…
“When we did break a gaze and look around, there was literally nobody there. They’re pulling table cloths off the table. There was nobody there.”
“We are going to see each other very soon again… He liked me, and I like him. Good morning, Mike. Hi Mr. Esterman, Harry.”
