In the past few hours, the heartbreaking news has broken, that theatre performer, star of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, and LGBTQ+ rights advocate The Vivienne has passed away, aged 32. The first winner of the UK version of the drag competition in 2019, The Vivienne, portrayed by James Lee Williams, had been a recurring figure on the show since their win, and had launched a successful career in musical theatre, touring the UK recently as The Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz, followed by The Childcatcher in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
In a statement breaking the news from their representative agency, the sad announcement was made, proclaiming James as “an incredibly loved, warm-hearted and amazing person. Their family are heartbroken […] They are so proud of the wonderful things James achieved in their life and career”. The cause of The Vivienne’s death has not been revealed, but it has also been asked that “James’s family are given the time and privacy they now need to process and grieve”.
Tributes have been pouring in from all corners of the entertainment industry, with RuPaul’s Drag Race judge Michelle Visage saying “I’m the lucky one to have known you and to have laughed together with you so many times. I love you my darling […] May your light shine fiercely, forever”. Fellow judge Ross Matthews called them “An undeniable star. A force of nature. A masterful performer. A dear, kind heart. A heartbreaking loss”, fellow West End performer Alice Fearn saying “You are incredible in whatever dimension you are in. Shine bright”, among many others.
The Vivienne, James Lee Williams, was born in North Wales before moving to Liverpool at sixteen. With an already-established drag career, The Vivienne gained nationwide notoriety for their starring in the first UK season of RuPaul’s Drag Race, which they went on to win. They went on to star in a range of television shows following the victory, including I Like to Watch and Trump in Tweets, as well as their numerous guest appearances, including on The Great British Sewing Bee, Emmerdale and Celebrity Hunted, which they took part in to raise money for Stand Up to Cancer. She also returned to RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars, and starred in the 2023 series of Dancing on Ice.
The Vivienne also turned their talents to the stage, starring as The Wicked Witch of the West in the U.K. touring production of The Wizard of Oz. They made their West End debut with the production during its tour stop in London, to much critical acclaim, including from Forge Press, calling their performance “utterly delightful in every way. The Vivienne brought a level of great panache to the character that had me anticipating every scene she was in”. Following this role, The Vivienne starred as The Childcatcher in the U.K. touring production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
But as well as being a performer and entertainer, The Vivienne was also a staunch LGBTQ+ rights activist, appearing at several Pride events, as well as speaking out about homophobia, from their own experiences. When a victim of a violent homophobic assault in June 2023, The Vivienne spoke out about the attack to encourage the LGBTQ+ community to remain vigilant in a society with rising homophobic and anti-LGBTQ+ hate crimes. The assailant was sentenced to a suspended prison sentence, exactly one year prior to The Vivienne’s passing. Their activism and advocacy was highly commended throughout their career, often being a shining beacon for LGBTQ+ advocacy and rights in the U.K.
The passing of The Vivienne, James Lee Williams, is a shocking and heartbreaking loss to the drag, theatre, entertainment, and entire LGBTQ+ communities. Their endless charm, wit, talent and energy was widely celebrated, and the wealth of tributes being paid to the star are a testament to the important impact they have had on communities around the country, and in the wider world. Their work and notoriety will remain timeless and the memories their friends, family and fans have with The Vivienne a powerful tribute to the legacy of a true star.
They were, for many including myself, an important figure and advocate in coming to terms for who they are and being authentically themselves. It is partially due to the power and the strength that The Vivienne held that I felt able to express my true self, and their important role for many young people in the LGBTQ+ community can never be put into sufficient words. The Vivienne will always be my drag queen, and their loss is a deeply tragic moment for many people who looked up to them and their talents, whether as a performer, drag queen or queer advocate. Their passing, and at such a young age, has left a significant void in our world, and in my heart, that could never be filled.
James Lee Williams, The Vivienne (1992 – 2025)
