Tributes have poured in following the sudden and tragic death of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK champion The Vivienne. On 5 January, The Vivienne’s publicist Simon Jones announced “with immense sadness” that the legendary drag performer, birth name James Lee Williams, “passed this weekend” at the age of 32. “James was an incredibly loved, warm-hearted and amazing person,” Jones said in a statement. “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’ post was met with shock and sadness from thousands of fans, celebrities and Drag Race alumni such as Ashley Roberts, Bianca Del Rio, Bimini, Bosco, Crystal, Harriet Rose, Jonbers Blonde, Kitty Scott-Claus, Marisha Wallace, Michelle Visage and Tayce.
In a separate Instagram post, Visage described the news as “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.