RuPaul Mourns the Loss of Beloved Drag Star The Vivienne
The world of drag is in mourning as RuPaul, the iconic host of RuPaul’s Drag Race, has expressed her deep sorrow over the passing of James Lee Williams, better known as The Vivienne, who tragically passed away over the weekend.
RuPaul took to Instagram to share her sentiments, saying, "With a broken heart, I join the entire Drag Race universe in mourning the loss of The Vivienne." Alongside her message, RuPaul posted a poignant photo of herself with Williams on the Drag Race main stage. This photo was taken before The Vivienne's memorable appearance on the UK's spin-off of the show in 2019.
RuPaul's heartfelt tribute described The Vivienne as "an incredibly talented queen and a lovely human being." Her words echo the sentiments of many who have worked with or been inspired by The Vivienne throughout her career.
On Sunday, January 5th, the sad news was confirmed by The Vivienne's publicist, Simon Jones. In his statement, Jones referred to Williams as an "incredibly loved" individual and a "close friend." James Lee Williams was only 32 years old.
The circumstances surrounding The Vivienne's passing were investigated by Cheshire Police. A police representative clarified, "Police attended, investigated the circumstances of the death of the 32-year-old man, and concluded there were no suspicious circumstances. A file will be prepared for the coroner."
Since the announcement of The Vivienne's death, there has been an outpouring of grief and tributes from stars across the entertainment industry. These tributes attest to Williams' talent and the impact she had on everyone she met. Williams rose to fame as the first winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, setting a high bar for future contestants.
The journey to stardom for The Vivienne began in 2015 when she was crowned 'RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Ambassador' in a contest judged by Jonathan Ross, Katie Price, and RuPaul. This accolade solidified her place in the drag community and laid the foundation for her later successes.
In 2022, The Vivienne showcased her remarkable talent on RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 7. Her charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent continued to shine through in everything she did.
Moving beyond the drag scene, The Vivienne made a significant impact on mainstream television. In 2023, she competed in ITV's Dancing On Ice, where she reached the finals alongside her skating partner, Colin Grafton, demonstrating her versatility and dedication to her craft.
The stage also called to The Vivienne, who realized a lifelong dream by performing in the West End. She graced audiences with her portrayal of The Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz and charmed viewers as the Childcatcher in the touring production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Michelle Visage, a fellow judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race, remembered Williams as a "beacon to so many." In a moving tribute, she wrote, "You were always there, always laughing, always giving, always on point. Your laughter, your wit, your talent, your drag. I loved all of it, but I loved your friendship most of all."
The Vivienne's close friend in the Drag Race community, Baga Chipz, also shared a touching message, "You will always be the Velma to my Louise and I’ll always talk to you before I go onstage for every single show I do because let’s face it, you were a bloody powerhouse when you hit that stage." Baga continued, "Always there for me when I needed you. My beautiful boy. My James. Our Viv."
The legacy of The Vivienne is one of joy, brilliance, and resilience. As the drag community and fans worldwide come to terms with her loss, her memory will undoubtedly continue to inspire future generations of queens and performers. Her life, though cut short, was filled with achievements and a passion that touched the hearts of many.
In closing, RuPaul’s words resonate deeply within the community: "The loss of The Vivienne is a profound reminder of the beauty and fragility of life. Her spirit will live on through all who had the privilege to know her and be graced by her presence."
The Vivienne's contributions to the world of drag and beyond will never be forgotten, and she will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.
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