Breaking News: ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race UK’ Champion The Vivienne Passes Away at 32

The Vivienne, the first champion of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, has passed away at 32, as confirmed by her publicist and manager Simon Jones on Instagram.

“I am at a loss for words,” Jones’ statement expressed. “Viv was not only a friend and a client, but also someone I deeply cherished. Since our first meeting in 2019, I knew there was something special about them and I took on the role of their manager. They possessed an extraordinary talent and the energy they brought into every space was incredible. I have never laughed with anyone as much as I did with Viv. Their sense of humor and sharp wit were truly unique.”

“Having Viv as a major part of my daily life for the past five years has been a privilege,” Jones added. “It is heartbreaking that their career was just taking off. They had recently discovered a passion and talent for musical theatre, where they were truly thriving. I am utterly devastated by this loss. Rest in peace, my incredible friend. You were taken from us far too soon.”

Memorial and Tributes

In a supplementary statement from the family, Jones mentioned that The Vivienne, born James Lee Williams, was “a tremendously loved, kind-hearted, and remarkable individual.” At this moment, no additional information will be provided, and the family requests privacy to grieve.

The Vivienne gained fame in the drag circuit in 2015 as the UK’s Drag Ambassador for RuPaul’s Drag Race. She won the inaugural season of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK in 2019 and returned for RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Season 7 in 2022, the first season to feature only previous winners. In 2023, The Vivienne made history as the first drag performer on Dancing on Ice, securing third place in Season 15.

Last year, The Vivienne debuted on the West End, portraying the Wicked Witch of the West in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s 2011 production of The Wizard of Oz at the Gillian Lynne Theatre.

In an extensive interview with the culture blog JaDar last year, The Vivienne opened up about the personal importance of the role, the portrayal of the Emerald City as a metaphor for self-discovery, her experiences with impostor syndrome, and the “glamorous” touch she brought to her character.

“I never imagined my career would lead to theater,” she shared with the publication. “It’s always been a dream; I’m a huge fan of musical theatre so I seize every opportunity to catch a show on the West End. You never know what opportunities might come your way. One might think you need years of formal training to make it on the West End, but I guess I did get that training, just in an unconventional way. Performing in drag, changing in unusual places, and touring the world really prepared me for this.”

In the same conversation, The Vivienne hinted at a film project she was developing, without divulging many details but mentioning that it was “a significant story that needs to be told.” She was also exploring a potentially iconic role with a renowned writer.

“You have to try different things to see what works, right? The possibilities are limitless. Drag allows you to utilize every ounce of creativity, so why not make the most of it?” she concluded.

The Vivienne was a prominent figure in the UK drag scene, maintained a YouTube channel, and hosted several award shows. In 2020, she narrated the BBC Three documentary Trump in Tweets, where she impersonated the then president-elect.

Born in Wales in 1992, Williams adopted the drag persona inspired by their fondness for Vivienne Westwood attire and relocated to Liverpool at age 16 to pursue a career in drag.