RuPaul's Drag Race UK winner, All Stars 7 queen died
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The U.K. drag superstar competed on the first season of "Drag Race UK" and returned to star on "All Stars 7," with Michelle Visage remembering her as "a beacon to so many."
By Joey Nolfi Published on January 5, 2025 03:06PM EST
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The Vivienne attends the Wicked: Part One European Premiere at The Royal Festival Hall on November 18, 2024 in London, England.
'RuPaul's Drag Race UK' winner The Vivienne dies at 32. Photo: Lia Toby/Getty
RuPaul's Drag Race UK winner and returning All Stars 7 queen The Vivienne, who won fan affection and RuPaul's admiration for her comedic prowess and stunning looks on the runway, has died at age 32.
"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," read a statement released by Simon Jones, The Vivienne's publicist, Sunday on Instagram.
The statement added that, "We will not be releasing any further details," and that the family asks that they're "given the time and privacy they now need to process and grieve."
Entertainment Weekly has reached out to representatives for The Vivienne and RuPaul's Drag Race for additional information.
RuPaul's Drag Race digital cover
The Vivienne. Vijat M for EW
Longtime RuPaul's Drag Race judge Michelle Visage reacted to the news as "heartbreaking," and shared a photo of herself and The Vivienne to her Instagram profile after the news broke.
"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. Your laughter, your wit, your talent, your drag. I loved all of it but I loved your friendship most of all," Visage wrote. "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."
Other RuPaul's Drag Race alums responded to Jones' statement with condolences in the comments section, including Courtney Act, Bianca Del Rio, fellow Drag Race UK contestant Crystal, and The Vivienne's All Stars 7 castmate, Shea Couleé, who wrote, "I’m in complete and utter shock. This is so devastating."
The Vivienne first rose to international fame on TV as the inaugural winner of RuPaul's Drag Race UK, upon which she courted praise for mocking U.S. President Donald Trump in a fan-favorite Snatch Game impersonation, a performance Visage touted as possibly "the best Snatch Game character in the history of the show" back in 2019.
"To hear RuPaul say that it was like Saturday Night Live standard — better than Alec Baldwin — I was like, oh my God, it was just some stupid idea for Snatch Game," The Vivienne previously told EW in a cover story on her return to the competition among the all-winners cast of All Stars 7. "I kind of forged a career on doing Donald Trump's voice. I voice-overed a whole documentary for BBC. It's kind of mad because I'm just a drag queen taking the mick out of Donald Trump, and you get a call from these huge companies and they're like, oh, we want you to be Donald Trump. I mean, it's not the best claim to fame is it? Because we all love Trump," she joked.
During her time on All Stars 7, The Vivienne wowed the judges with her runway fashions, and again excelled at the season's comedy challenges, ultimately winning for her work in the Fairytale Justice improvised courtroom sketch.
Before officially joining any Drag Race cast, however, in 2017 RuPaul officially named The Vivienne as a British ambassador for the series.
In addition her tenure on Drag Race, The Vivienne also regularly appeared in British films and TV programs, including the popular Absolutely Fabulous movie in 2016 and as a contestant on season 15 of the celebrity-focused Dancing on Ice show in 2023.
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