RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner James Lee Williams, popularly often called The Vivienne, has died on the age of 32, in accordance with their publicist Simon Jones.
“It’s with immense disappointment that we let you understand our beloved James Lee Williams – The Vivienne, has handed this weekend,” Jones announced Sunday on X.
“James was an extremely cherished, warm-hearted and wonderful individual.”
The reason for demise wasn’t disclosed.
The Vivienne, born in Wales, rose to prominence in 2015 after turning into U.Okay. drag ambassador for the American TV sequence RuPaul’s Drag Race. The performer received the primary season of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK in 2019. Their impression of then-U.S. president Donald Trump was beloved by followers and judges of the present and helped additional set up their profession.
The performer additionally got here again for RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Season 7 in 2022.
In 2023, The Vivienne turned the primary drag performer to compete on Dancing on Ice, showing as a contestant on Season 15, partnering with American determine skater Colin Grafton and ending in third place.
The performer additionally made their West Finish debut final yr, taking up the function of the Depraved Witch of the West in a brand new revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s 2011 manufacturing of The Wizard of Oz.
In a late 2024 interview, the performer mentioned the function “was type of like a metaphor for my life.”
Williams’s stage identify was impressed by iconic English designer Vivienne Westwood, whose clothes the star would typically put on.
Tributes pour in on-line
Many stars have taken to social media to recollect The Vivienne.
“I be a part of the whole Drag Race universe in mourning the lack of The Vivienne, an extremely gifted queen and a stunning human being,” wrote RuPaul on Instagram.
“Her expertise, humor, and dedication to the artwork of drag was an inspiration,” posted the official RuPaul’s Drag Race account on X.
“She shall be dearly missed, however her legacy will reside on.”
We’re deeply saddened to be taught of the passing of The Vivienne. Her expertise, humor, and dedication to the artwork of drag was an inspiration. She shall be dearly missed, however her legacy will reside on as a beacon of creativity and authenticity – she embodied what it means to be a real… pic.twitter.com/Kf5biayP9R
Singer-songwriter Michelle Visage, a decide on RuPaul’s Drag Race, mentioned on Instagram, “I do not know find out how to say how I really feel. You may be so missed my pretty. Could your mild shine fiercely, endlessly.”
RuPaul’s Drag Race: UK vs the World winner Tia Kofi remembered The Vivienne on social media, writing: “That is an unimaginable loss to the British drag group and to the world.”
“She was a mentor, an inspiration and a pal. This shock shall be felt deeply by us all. Love you Viv.”
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