RuPaul’s Drag Race star The Vivienne has been hailed as “a beacon to so many” after their death aged 32. James Lee Williams, who performed as the drag queen, won the first series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK and came third on the 2023 edition of Dancing On Ice.
Dancing On Ice judge Oti Mabuse remembered The Vivienne for being a “phenomenal entertainer” and “trailblazer”, while fellow RuPaul’s Drag Race winner Jinkx Monsoon said the star made a “mark in our hearts”. The news of Williams’s death was announced by their publicist, Simon Jones, on Sunday evening, who wrote that Williams was an “incredibly loved, warm-hearted and amazing person”.
Mr Jones added that Williams, who was born in Wales and later moved to Liverpool, would be remembered for their “immense talent”, adding “the light they brought to every room was astonishing”. RuPaul’s Drag Race judge Michelle Visage paid tribute to Williams, writing that their death was “heartbreaking”.
Alongside pictures of them together, Visage wrote on Instagram: “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.
