RuPaul Remembers 'Incredibly Talented Queen' The Vivienne After “Drag Race UK ”Winner's Death

RuPaul is paying tribute to The Vivienne one day after the RuPaul's Drag Race UK winner’s death was announced.

The Emmy Award-winning host, 64, remembered the drag artist — born James Lee Williams in Colwyn Bay, Wales — in a touching Instagram tribute.

“With a broken heart, I join the entire Drag Race universe in mourning the loss of The Vivienne — an incredibly talented queen and a lovely human being,” RuPaul shared of the late performer.

Related: The Vivienne, RuPaul's Drag Race UK Winner, Dies at 32: 'An Incredibly Loved, Warm-Hearted Person'

The tribute comes one day after The Vivienne's rep, Simon Jones, announced the news of their death on X.

"It is with immense sadness that we let you know our beloved James Lee Williams - The Vivienne, has passed this weekend," Jones shared in a statement.

"James was an incredibly loved, warm-hearted and amazing person,” the statement continued. “Their family are heartbroken at the loss of their son, brother and uncle. They are so proud of the wonderful things James achieved in their life and career.”

"We will not be releasing any further details. We please ask that James' family are given the time and privacy they now need to process and grieve," the statement concluded.

Related: Ex-Husband of RuPaul's Drag Race UK Winner The Vivienne Says His 'Heart is Shattered' After Their Death at 32

The Vivienne was crowned the winner of RuPaul's Drag Race UK season 1. The performer also competed on RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars season 7, on which they were the only non-U.S. winner invited to participate.

Fellow Drag Race alums reacted to the news of their death in the comment section. Shea Coulée, who also competed on All Stars, wrote, “I’m in complete and utter shock. This is so devastating.”

“I’m so sorry 💔. I’m in total shock,” fellow UK drag queen Bimini Bon-Boulash added.

Other members of the Drag Race community remembered the late star in their own social media posts.

"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," the official RuPaul's Drag Race account wrote on X.

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World of Wonder, the production company behind Drag Race, also shared on social media: "We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of James Lee Williams, AKA The Vivienne this weekend. Her talent, humor and kindness were an inspiration. She achieved so much in her career and will be greatly missed. Our deepest condolences go out to her family and friends, who request the time and privacy required to grieve."

"Heartbreaking 💔. I don’t know how to say how I feel," Drag Race judge Michelle Visage wrote on Instagram. "My darling @thevivienne_ we go back to when I started coming over here to the UK. 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. You were a beacon to so many."

Tia Kofi tweeted, "This is an incredible loss to the British drag community and to the world. Viv represented UK drag at its absolute finest on stage and screen internationally. She was a mentor, an inspiration and a friend. This shock will be felt deeply by us all. Love you Viv."

The Vivienne’s ex-husband David Paul Ludford also shared a touching tribute on Jan. 6.

"My heart literally sank when I got the call!! 🪽💔😔My heart is shattered!!! 😭," he captioned an Instagram post. "Never in a million years did I think I’d ever be writing anything like this about @thevivienne_."

Luford shared that Williams "changed my life" after meeting in August 2017 on the island of Gran Canaria in Spain. He recalled how they "clicked straight away" and he instantly knew they were going to be in each other’s lives for a long time.

"We literally went through and did so much together it was like a whirlwind and I wouldn’t have changed the time we spent together for anything in the world" Luford continued. "Going to miss you more than people will ever know. Sleep tight angel."

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