Former RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner The Vivienne sadly died this weekend, and they shared a significant final post online in the days before their death.
James Lee Williams – who was known best as their drag name The Vivienne, which came from their love for the late fashion designer Vivienne Westwood – was crowned the first ‘Drag Superstar’ on the first season of the British version of the TV show in 2019.
A leading figure in the British drag scene, The Vivienne, 32, was confirmed to have died by friend and publicist Simon Jones on Sunday (5 January).
The Vivienne (centre) was a huge part of the British drag community and the UK edition of RuPaul’s Drag Race (Emma McIntyre/Getty Images)
He took to social media to write in a statement: “It is with immense sadness that we let you know our beloved James Lee Williams – The Vivienne, has passed this weekend.
“James was an incredibly loved, warm- hearted 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.”
“We will not be releasing any further details. We please ask that James’s family are given the time and privacy they now need to process and grieve,” Jones concluded.
Prior to The Vivienne’s passing, the performer shared an Instagram post to fans, urging them to donate to SAHIR, Liverpool’s largest and oldest LGBTQ+ and HIV charity.
They wrote: “Join me in giving back this year, everything I do charitable wise is usually for @sahirhouse house, Liverpools oldest LGBT+ charity!!! The work they do is incredible, thank you. £1 a month you won’t miss it.”
Following the announcement of the drag star’s passing, a number of celebrities have shared their condolences online, as Michelle Visage posted photos of her with The Vivienne, writing alongside it: “Heartbreaking. I don’t know how to say how I feel. 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.”
Visage continued, saying: “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, 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. RIP MY ANGEL fly high.”
Jones later wrote a follow-up post, adding that he ‘never ever’ wanted to write this, adding: “From the moment I met them in 2019 I knew we could create magic together and I became their manager.
The Vivienne was a well-loved figure in the drag community (Lia Toby/Getty Images)
“Their talent was immense and the light they brought to every room was astonishing. No one has ever made me laugh in my life as much as Viv did. Their comic genius and quick wit was like no other.”
Sadly saying that their career ‘was only just beginning’ and that they had a passion for musical theatre, he concluded: “I am heartbroken and devastated at this news. RIP my wonderful friend. You left us way too soon.”
Alongside their stint on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, the performer had a huge range of accomplishments, including competing in a one-day drag event in front of RuPaul, Katie Price, and Jonathan Ross, and later being given the title of UK Ambassador for RuPaul’s Drag Race.
They also came in third place on Dancing on Ice in 2023, as well as starring in a number of theatre shows – the most recent being as the Wicked Witch of the West in the revival of The Wizard of Oz musical.
