Yahoo Lifestyle The Vivienne, RuPaul’s Drag Race Star, Dead at 32
Drag queen The Vivienne (aka James Lee Williams), who competed in and won RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Season 1, has died. They were 32.
The Vivienne’s publicist, Simon Jones, confirmed the news of their passing in an Instagram post on Sunday. A cause of death has not yet been reported.
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“It is with immense sadness that we let you know our beloved James Lee Williams — The Vivienne — has passed this weekend,” he wrote. “James was an incredibly loved, warmhearted and amazing person. 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.”
The Vivienne is best known for winning the first season of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK in 2019. They later competed in Season 7 of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars in 2022 and ITV’s Dancing on Ice in 2023, earning third place. They also starred as the Wicked Witch of the West in London’s West End revival of The Wizard of Oz.
Drag Race host RuPaul took to Instagram Monday to mourn the late contestant writing, “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.”
Michelle Visage, a judge on Drag Race and Drag Race UK, paid tribute to the performer in an Instagram post Sunday, writing, “I don’t know how to say how I feel. My darling [The Vivienne], 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.”
“Seeing you make your West End debut was amazing for me to witness your dream come true right in front of my eyes,” she continued. “I’m the lucky one to have known you and to have laughed together with you so many times. I love you my darling. You will be so missed my lovely. May your light shine fiercely, forever.”
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