RuPaul expresses profound sadness over the passing of former Drag Race winner, The Vivienne.
The renowned drag queen and TV host took to Instagram on Monday to mourn the loss of The Vivienne, whom he praised as “an incredibly talented queen and a wonderful human being.”
The Vivienne, also known as James Lee Williams, secured victory in the inaugural season of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK in 2019.
More: The Vivienne’s impact as a drag ‘trailblazer’
The news of the 32-year-old’s passing was announced by their publicist Simon Jones on Sunday night.
Danny Beard, winner of the reality show in 2022, described The Vivienne as “a true entertainer” and “one of the most dedicated, talented, and quirky individuals I’ve known”, lamenting that their absence has left a void.
Cheddar Gorgeous, the runner-up of that season, shared on Instagram the loss of “a colleague, a companion, and an icon”, emphasizing the widespread grief in the entertainment world and the difficulty in comprehending such sorrow.
RuPaul joined the entire Drag Race universe in mourning the loss of The Vivienne
Bagachipz recalled how they used to engage with The Vivienne before each performance, hailing them as a “powerhouse on stage.”
The Vivienne’s former spouse, David Ludford, remembered the artist for showing them the true essence of love and what it means to truly care for someone.
The Vivienne at the UK premiere of Wicked in November. Pic: AP
The Vivienne gained fame in 2015 as the UK Drag Ambassador for the American edition of RuPaul’s Drag Race.
The show features drag queens vying for the title of the next drag superstar in front of a panel of judges.
Based on their affection for designer Vivienne Westwood, The Vivienne participated in the UK series in 2019 and emerged victorious after lip-syncing to Wham!’s hit “I’m Your Man” in the finale.
Williams, born in Wales, also achieved third place on the 2023 season of Dancing On Ice.
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A statement from Cheshire Police confirmed that officers responded to a residence in Chorlton-by-Backford, near Chester, at 12:22pm on Sunday following reports of an unexpected demise.
The police stated that no foul play was suspected.