Former RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner James Lee Williams, known as The Vivienne, has died at the age of 32.
The news was shared today on social media by her PR agent Simon Jones who issued the statement below:
James Lee Williams (,known professionally as The Vivienne), was a British drag performer known for being appointed as the UK Drag Ambassador in 2015 for American reality television series RuPaul’s Drag Race. She later competed in and won the first series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK in 2019, and competed again in the seventh series of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars in 2022. She became the first drag performer to compete on Dancing on Ice in 2023, appearing as a contestant on the fifteenth series, in which she finished in third place.
The Vivienne delved into other ventures such as releasing her debut extended play (EP), Bitch on Heels (2022). She starred as the Wicked Witch of the West for The Wizard of Oz (2011) and reprised the role on the West End at the Gillian Lynne Theatre. She had numerous other film, TV and stage appearances including ‘Absolutely Fabulous – The Movie’
Fans and colleagues have shared their memories of the performer on social media:
Tia Kofi – Drag Race UK vs the World winner
“This is an incredible loss to the British drag community and to the world. Viv represented UK drag at its absolute finest on stage and screen internationally. She was a mentor, an inspiration and a friend. This shock will be felt deeply by us all. Love you Viv”
Indie Mac User 