The tragic news has been met with an outpouring of love from the community
BY ELLA GAUCI, IMAGE BY BBC
Yesterday (5 January), it was announced that RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner James Lee Williams, better known as The Vivienne, had tragically passed away at 32.
A representative of the icon posted the news to Instagram stating that they would not be releasing any further details, asking fans to give James’ family and friends the “time and privacy they now need to process and grieve”.
The Vivienne quickly became drag royalty when they were crowned as the first winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK in 2019. They returned back to the infamous show as part of the All Stars season seven crew in 2022. Alongside their Drag Race fame, The Vivienne has also starred on shows like Dancing On Ice and even on the West End as The Wicked Witch of the West in Wicked.
Taking their name from their love of Vivienne Westwood, The Vivienne has inspired countless audiences with their incredible work. The Vivienne was quickly elevated to the dizzying heights of Drag Race royalty after a particularly brilliant Snatch Game performance which involved an impersonation of Donald Trump. This performance would later go down as one of the best Snatch Games of Drag Race history. During their time on Drag Race, they were also praised for their candid and powerful discussions about battling addiction.
An official statement from RuPaul’s Drag Race read: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of The Vivienne. Her talent, humor, and dedication to the art of drag was an inspiration. She will be dearly missed, but her legacy will live on as a beacon of creativity and authenticity – she embodied what it means to be a true champion. Our hearts go out to her family and fans during this difficult time.”
Many Drag Race alumni have also posted their responses to the news, with Tia Kofi stating that James was “a mentor, an inspiration and a friend”. Drag Race judge and LGBTQIA ally Michelle Visage also posted a heartfelt tribute to the star, writing that she had been so glad to see their West End debut and “witness your dream come true right in front of my eyes”.
Other Drag Race stars such as Shea Couleé have reacted to the “devastating” news. Jinkx Monsoon left a touching tribute on Instagram, writing: “She has made her mark in our hearts and on her stages. It’s too soon for a curtain call but I know it’s a standing ovation.”
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