Woman who claims to be Madeleine McCann says all she wants to do is 'help people who have experienced trauma'

31 March 2023, 20:51 | Updated: 6 April 2023, 12:20

Julia Wendell says she could be Madeleine McCann
Julia Wendell says she could be Madeleine McCann. Picture: Social media/Dr Phil
Kieran Kelly

By Kieran Kelly

A woman who says she is Madeleine McCann has said all she wants to do is "help people who have experienced trauma" as she continues to wait for results from her DNA test.

Speaking after her bombshell appearance on US show Dr Phil on Monday night, the 21-year-old said she has been helping people all her life.

"Even when I didn't have so much money, I bought food for people who needed food and I found a job for a person who is homeless, so I always try to help people," she told RadarOnline.

"My goal is to help children and teenagers and adult people who experienced trauma ... not only sexually abusing, but any type of violence in their childhood [and] in their life," she said.

Read More: 'She played for my sister and she cried': Woman who believes she is Madeleine McCann plays piano in moving video

Read More: Woman who believes she is Madeleine McCann claims 'sex trafficker is trying to lure her back to Portugal'

Wendell added: "As I said earlier, you don't have to feel ashamed. It's nothing shameful. You can't be ashamed. Your abuser should be ashamed."

Wendell hit the headlines after claiming she was Madeleine McCann on social media, who has not been seen since a family holiday in Portugal in 2007.

She says she first suspected she could be the missing Brit in June last year, though has no proof. Wendell is currently waiting for the results of a DNA test after moving to Los Angeles due to death threats.

Julia Wendell appeared on Dr Phil on Monday
Julia Wendell appeared on Dr Phil on Monday. Picture: Dr Phil
Madeleine McCann was last seen on a family holiday in Portugal in 2007
Madeleine McCann was last seen on a family holiday in Portugal in 2007. Picture: Handout

Wendell recently brought a woman to tears after singing and playing the piano after her spokesperson Dr Fia Johansson revealed Julia has written 72 songs about the abuse she claims she suffered as a child.

Since claiming she was Madeleine last month she has revealed a number of traumatic experiences from her childhood, including a doctor allegedly drugging her with prescription pills.

Dr Johansson, who is also a psychic, whisked Julia from Poland to California after she received death threats.She is currently awaiting results of three DNA tests and a genetic test to prove her identity.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

The Park Fire burns along a road in California

Man arrested over California fire sparked by burning car pushed into gully

Israel has hit out at Britain's decision

Israel hits out at Starmer for dropping Britain's challenge to international arrest warrant for Netanyahu

Justin Timberlake at a premiere

Timberlake ‘not intoxicated’ and drink-drive charge should be dismissed – lawyer

What is your least favourite chocolate bars?

Brits divided over UK’s ‘worst chocolate bar’ with one Christmas classic branded ‘disgusting’

The French weather has been wet ahead of the opening ceremony

'Disaster' as flood warning issued for Paris ahead of Olympic opening ceremony, after arsonists target French railways

A crying woman at the site of a mudslide in Ethiopia

Ethiopia declares three days of mourning as toll of mudslide victims increases

Hongchi Xiao has been found guilty of the manslaughter of Danielle Carr-Gomm

Alternative healer found guilty of manslaughter of pensioner in slapping therapy workshop

Kennie Carter

Four teens jailed over revenge murder of 16-year-old Kennie Carter in Manchester, as heartbroken mother pays tribute

Graziano Di Prima has been placed under medical supervision

Ex-Strictly pro Graziano Di Prima 'placed under medical supervision' after being axed over Zara McDermott abuse claims

Insolvent Ted Baker could be set to close all its stores in a matter of weeks

Ted Baker to ‘close all stores’ in a matter of weeks as hundreds face unemployment

Nasa may have found a sign of life on Mars

Nasa finds Mars rock that 'may have hosted life', with mysterious 'features we've never seen before'

Barack Obama with Kamala Harris

Barack and Michelle Obama give endorsement for Kamala Harris’s White House bid

The police officer is facing a criminal investigation

Police officer who kicked man in the head in Manchester airport under criminal investigation for assault

Andrew found himself at the centre of Price's 2009 divorce from Peter Andre

Katie Price breaks silence as former dressage teacher to replace Charlotte Dujardin in Olympic team

Playa de las Cucharas, Costa Teguise

British tourist, 45, dies in suspected drowning off Lanzarote beach on family holiday

Joaquin Guzman Loera, also known as "El Chapo" is transported to Maximum Security Prison of El Altiplano in Mexico City,

El Chapo's son Joaquín Lopez and Sinaloa Cartel co-founder Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada in US custody