The death of Drag Race UK superstar The Vivienne at just 32 has shaken fans around the world after the weekend’s shock announcement.
The Vivienne, also known as James Lee Williams, died after coming third on the 2023 edition of Dancing On Ice, as well as rising to West End stardom and appearing in their own TV shows.
The artist was particularly known for their impression of Donald Trump during the show’s iconic ‘Snatch Game’ episode, and performed as the wicked witch of the west in a UK and Ireland tour of The Wizard Of Oz musical, reprising the role in the West End at the Gillian Lynne Theatre last year.
Reacting to their death, former husband David Ludford paid tribute on Instagram by posting photos from their wedding and throughout their six-year relationship.
Ludford, a wig hairstylist, said Williams ‘changed my life so much’ from the day they first met in in August 2017 in Gran Canaria.
‘We literally clicked straight away and we knew we (were) going to be together for along time’, Ludford wrote.
‘He made me feel love and shown me what it was really like to love someone.’
Michelle Visage, who judges the UK and US versions of Drag Race and now presents Drag Race Down Under, said their death was ‘heartbreaking’.
The Vivienne, also known as James Lee Williams, died suddenly aged 32 over the weekend
Also known as Jamie Lee Williams, The Vivienne was also a finalist in Dancing On Ice
She added: ‘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.
‘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.’
And host RuPaul Charles wrote: ‘With a broken heart, I join the entire Drag Race universe in mourning the loss of The Vivienne – an incredibly talented queen and a lovely human being.’
But The Vivienne’s tragic death is just the latest in a string of drag queens from the brand’s series around the world who have died young – with causes ranging from heart failure to a serious lung infection.
Here MailOnline takes a look at all the beloved stars who have sadly lost their lives since leaving the show.
The Vivienne
The Vivienne pictured being crowned as the winner of the first series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK
The Vivienne, whose real name is James Lee Williams, went on to appear in the West End and on various TV shows
Last year The Vivienne made history as they became the first drag queen to perform on Dancing On Ice
The Vivienne won the first ever series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK in 2019, after a dominant run in the competition which saw them impersonate Donald Trump and impress the judges with their talent and artistry.
They chose their drag name due to their love of Vivienne Westwood’s fashion and overcame a long battle with drug addiction to go sober and become one of the UK’s most recognisable queens.
After winning the competition, The Vivienne went on to reappear on the seventh series of All Stars in the US, starred in their own BBC series and became a Dancing on Ice finalist.
Since appearing in the West End, they had been scheduled to return to London’s home of theatre with the production ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,’ playing the role of ‘the child catcher’.
The star tragically died aged just 32 over the weekend.
Police have confirmed there are no suspicious circumstances and said a file will be prepared for the coroner.
Cherry Valentine
Cherry Valentine appeared on the second series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, which aired amid the pandemic in 2021
Cherry, also known as George Ward, was a fully-qualified mental health nurse who returned to work in children’s psychiatric wards during the pandemic
Cherry Valentine appeared on the second series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, which aired amid the pandemic in 2021.
As well as being a drag entertainer, Cherry Valentine, known off-stage as George Ward, was also a qualified mental health nurse who went back to help the NHS during Covid.
During the competition Cherry Valentine was eliminated first but reappeared later in the series in a chance to return to the series.
Describing themselves as gender fluid, they were the first drag queen with Romani heritage to appear on the show.
In 2022, shortly before their death, Cherry Valentine discussed their background in the BBC’s Cherry Valentine: Gypsy Queen and Proud.
They tragically died at home on September 18, 2022, aged just 28, having taken their own life.
A memorial concert was later held at the Clapham Grand in their honour in November 2022.
Chi Chi Devayne
Chi Chi Devayne, known off stage as Zavion Michael Davenport, finished in fourth place on the eighth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race in 2016 and eighth place on the third season 3 RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars in 2018
Chi Chi, from Louisiana, died on August 20, 2020 aged just 35 after contracting pneunomia
Chi Chi Devayne was one of the most well-known drag queens from the original American series RuPaul’s Drag Race.
The drag queen, known off stage as Zavion Michael Davenport, finished in fourth place on the eighth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race in 2016 and eighth place on the third season 3 RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars in 2018.
Chi Chi captured the hearts of Drag Race fans after being open about their humble life outside of the show and how they had battled to overcome bankruptcy.
Besides appearing on multiple TV and web series, Chi Chi was also featured on several songs and music videos, before and after their death.
Chi Chi, from Louisiana, died on August 20, 2020 aged just 35.
The star had previously revealed to fans in 2018 that they had been diagnosed with scleroderma, an autoimmune disease that causes skin to thicken and can restrict the function of organs.
Having been hospitalised for kidney failure, Chi Chi was again rushed to hospital with pneumonia in August 2020 but sadly died.
Sahara Davenport
Sahara Davenport, also known as Antoine Ashley finished seventh on the second series of the original US series
Sahara Davenport, also known as Antoine Ashley, appeared on the second US series of RuPaul’s Drag Race.
Davenport, from Dallas, Texas, She came seventh in the series and started a long line of Davenports appearing on the show.
Drag families are typically formed by a ‘mother’ figure who puts another member of the community for the first time – who then become a part of the family.
Sahara also battled to overcome addiction with the help of her drag mother before the show.
The drag artist died suddenly, aged 27, of heart failure at Johns Hopkins Hospital on October 1, 2012.
Their partner, also a drag queen known as Manila Luzon, appeared on the following series of the show.
Bandit
Bandit came joint fourth in the second series of Drag Race Thailand in 2019
Bandit, a drag queen from the second series of Drag Race Thailand, came joint fourth on their series in 2019.
They were a performer, costume designer and personal stylist.
Outside of drag, Bandit also lectured in fashion design at multiple universities and released several fashion lines.
Bandit died in Thailand in December 2023, aged 38.
The cause of death remains unknown.
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