RuPaul’s Drag Race stars lead tributes to ‘incredible’ performer The Vivienne who died aged 32
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James Lee Williams, the popular British drag performer, has died at the age of 32. Tributes have poured in after James Lee Williams, the popular British drag performer, actor and singer who went by the name The Vivienne, has died aged 32. The Vivienne won the first series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK and came third on the 2023 edition of Dancing On Ice.
![[Michelle Visage, right, said The Vivienne was a ‘beacon to so many’ as she paid tribute. Pictured: Unveiling the RuPaul waxwork]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/02/06/00/05170906-67298679-08eb-47aa-9f5c-1665965efbc6.jpeg)
Williams, who was born in Wales, adopted the drag name as they were known for wearing Vivienne Westwood clothing. Their publicist, Simon Jones, announced the news on Sunday evening, writing that Williams was an “incredibly loved, warm-hearted and amazing person”.
![[The Vivienne attends the British Soap Awards (Danny Lawson/PA)]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/05/19/4152183f26671fc890d80c7e437ce52dY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzM2MTkyMTc2-2.72476512.jpg)
RuPaul’s Drag Race judge Michelle Visage said they were a “beacon to so many” who was always laughing and would be “so missed”. “You were a beacon to so many. I‘m the lucky one to have known you and to have laughed together with you so many times,” Visage said.
![[TV presenter Lorraine Kelly said The Vivienne was ‘whip smart’ and a ‘delight to interview’]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/10/02/09/fd3f9b5a65a9498623dd5e1b510d59e7Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzI3OTQxMjU5-2.76149723.jpg)
RuPaul’s Drag Race UK star Bimini Bon Boulash was also among those posting messages on the official announcement, writing in an Instagram comment: “I’m so sorry I’m in total shock”. TV presenter Lorraine Kelly wrote on X: “Oh this is so sad - such a lovely, funny, whip smart and generous person. A delight to interview. My thoughts with everyone who loved The Vivienne.”.
Meanwhile, Coronation Street star Antony Cotton said the news of the death of James Lee Williams, known as The Vivienne, was “unbelievably sad”. In a post on X, Cotton added: “This is so unbelievably sad. James was a real joy to be around. We loved him x.”.
