Yahoo Lifestyle 'Drag Race' Family Says Goodbye to The Vivienne in Fashionable Farewell
James Lee Williams, known to fans as the drag queen The Vivienne, died the first weekend of January at age 32.
The first-ever winner of RuPaul's Drag Race UK was laid to rest on Jan. 27 in Denbighshire, North Wales, with many loved ones, including several popular drag performers, showing up in style to say goodbye.
The Vivienne, who also competed on Season 7 of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars, was brought to the church in a horse-drawn carriage, with the crown and scepter they won on the popular competition show brought in ahead of their coffin.
Photos obtained by The Daily Mail show that Danny Beard, who won the fourth season of Drag Race UK, wore a jacket and pants covered in Vivienne Westwood logos to the funeral, a nod to the deceased’s love of the designer brand.
Baga Chipz and Cheryl, who competed alongside The Vivienne on the inaugural season of RuPaul's Drag Race UK both attended, wearing light brown and beige plaid overcoats.
Tia Kofi, who won the second season of RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World was also there in dark plaid pants and a black puffer coat, as was Little Mix singer Jade Thirlwall, who wore all black with crystal embellishments on her blazer.
An official cause of death for The Vivienne has not been shared, with their publicist announcing in a statement that the family will “not be releasing any further details,” asking for privacy “to process and grieve.”
Police issued a statement shortly after their sudden death, indicating that an investigation concluded that “there were no suspicious circumstances” surrounding The Vivienne’s passing. A spokesperson for Cheshire Police said “a file will be prepared for the coroner.”
