Drag star James Lee Williams – known as The Vivienne – took the entertainment world by storm when they won RuPaul’s Drag Race UK in 2019.
The 32-year-old’s sudden death over the weekend has led to countless tributes from family, friends, co-stars and admirers, many of them praising The Vivienne for their comedic talent.
But how did The Vivienne become a drag icon?
Drag star, top impressionist, West End standout and skating queen
The Welsh-born star first gained traction in 2015 after becoming the UK Drag Ambassador for the American series of RuPaul’s Drag Race.
The show sees drag queens competing in front of a panel of judges to become the next drag superstar.
The Vivienne later competed in the first UK series of the show in 2019, becoming a mainstream hit initially thanks to their impression of Donald Trump, for which they donned orange makeup and a large blonde wig.
The impression may have caught the public’s eyes, but it was The Vivienne’s own personal style that stole the show.
James Lee Williams – better known as The Vivienne. Pic: PA
Speaking in 2019, The Vivienne, who lived in Liverpool, described their drag style as “like a Scouse wife who has come into money, she moved to LA and blew it all and then she’s had to move back to Liverpool”.
They said they had adopted the drag name The Vivienne in honour of the clothes designer Vivienne Westwood because they dressed “head to toe in Westwood”.
They went on to win the competition after lip-syncing in the final to the Wham! hit I’m Your Man.
The Vivienne has been widely credited for helping build the foundations which made the UK version of the show, now six seasons in, such a hit.
Pic: AP
They also performed as the Wicked Witch of the West in a UK and Ireland tour of The Wizard Of Oz musical and reprised the role in the West End last year.
The Vivienne went on to come third in the 2023 series of Dancing On Ice alongside professional skating star Colin Grafton.
Colin Grafton and The Vivienne on Dancing On Ice 2023. Pic: PA
They said at the time that making it to the semi-final of the ITV competition meant a lot “especially at a time when drag is under attack”.
They were due to be back on tour next month performing in the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang musical in the role of the Childcatcher.
Responding to attack with class
A man who attacked the drag star in a hate crime in June 2023 received a suspended jail term last January.
Liverpool Magistrates’ Court ruled the one-punch attack by unemployed scaffolder Alan Whitfield on Williams was homophobic.
The celebrity was waiting for food at a McDonald’s in Edge Lane, Liverpool, when Whitfield subjected him to a “barrage of abuse” about his appearance and hit him on the jaw with a “heavy blow”.
The Vivienne’s face was bruised and hurt for a week, but they told the court that “luckily” they were a 6ft ex-rugby player who could take a punch.
The Vivienne at a film premiere in London in 2022. Pic: PA
In a victim statement read to the court, they said: “As a proud gay man, I have never hidden who I am or edited myself.
“It shames me to say at the age of 31, I am for the first time in my life a lot more conscious that I could be attacked at any moment simply for living my authentic life.
“This has caused me stress, anguish and ongoing trauma.”
Police give update on death
The 32-year-old’s death was announced on Sunday evening after police were called to a house near Chester at 12:22pm following reports of a sudden death.
Cheshire Police said in a later update there were “no suspicious circumstances”.
A spokesperson said: “Police attended, investigated the circumstances of the death of the 32-year-old man and concluded there were no suspicious circumstances. A file will be prepared for the coroner.”
In a statement announcing their death on Sunday, a spokesperson for the TV star said: “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.
“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.”
Tributes flood in from fellow celebrities
A host of celebrities have paid tribute, with Dancing On Ice judge Oti Mabuse calling The Vivienne a “phenomenal entertainer” and “trailblazer”.
Fellow RuPaul’s Drag Race winner Jinkx Monsoon said the star made a “mark in our hearts”.
RuPaul’s Drag Race judge Michelle Visage said she was “utterly heartbroken” by the news.
Sharing photos of herself with The Vivienne, she said: “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.”
She added: “I love you my darling. You will be so missed my lovely. May your light shine fiercely, forever.”
Former EastEnders actress Patsy Palmer, who appeared with Williams on Dancing On Ice, said she was “lost for words” and “deeply saddened”.
“You were so beautiful inside and out and I will never forget our experiences we shared during Dancing On Ice,” she wrote.
Coronation Street star Antony Cotton said it was “unbelievably sad” and Emmerdale actress Lisa Riley called The Vivienne an “incredible human” who will be missed.
Former Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts wrote: “Omg! I can’t believe this. This is heartbreaking news,” while Shea Coulee, who won the fifth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars, said: “I am in complete and utter shock. This is so devastating.”
Another Drag Race star, Bimini Bon Boulash, wrote: “I’m so sorry. I’m in total shock.”
RuPaul’s Drag Race said it was “deeply saddened to learn of the passing of The Vivienne”.
In a post on social media, the show said Williams’s “talent, humour, and dedication to the art of drag was an inspiration”.
The Vivienne’s publicist Simon Jones also described their “immense talent” and hailed their “comic genius and quick wit”.
Mr Jones wrote on Instagram: “These are words I never ever wanted to write. Viv was a close friend, a client and someone I loved very much.
“From the moment I met them in 2019 I knew we could create magic together and I became their manager. Their talent was immense and the light they brought to every room was astonishing. No-one has ever made me laugh in my life as much as Viv did. Their comic genius and quick wit was like no other.”
He said he was “heartbroken and devastated” by the news, adding: “RIP my wonderful friend. You left us way too soon.”
Fiona Campbell, BBC controller of youth audience, said the news was “deeply sad”, adding that the broadcaster was “fiercely proud of The Vivienne’s achievements”.