Getty PicturesJames Lee Williams, higher referred to as drag queen The Vivienne, has died elderly 32.
Publicist Simon Jones stated the performer, who died over the weekend, used to be “a surprisingly cherished, warm-hearted and wonderful individual”.
The Vivienne starred in musical theatre and TV productions, and gained the primary sequence of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK in 2019.
The display paid tribute to the drag big name on social media, announcing they have been “deeply saddened” via the inside track of the performer’s loss of life.
Cheshire Police say there are not any suspicious cases surrounding the performer’s loss of life.
In a submit on X, RuPaul’s Drag Race stated: “She shall be dearly overlooked, however her legacy will live to tell the tale as a beacon of creativity and authenticity – she embodied what it way to be a real champion”.
It added: “Our hearts cross out to her circle of relatives and lovers all over this hard time.”
The display’s pass judgement on Michelle Visage also known as the big name “a beacon to such a lot of”.
Writing on social media, Visage referred to as the inside track “heartbreaking”, including: “My darling The Vivienne, we return to once I began coming over right here to the United Kingdom.”
“You have been at all times there, at all times guffawing, at all times giving, at all times on level.”
“Your laughter, your wit, your skill, your drag. I cherished it all however I cherished your friendship maximum of all.”
Drag Race UK big name Bimini Bon Boulash additionally reacted to the inside track, writing on Instagram: “I am so sorry I am in general surprise”.
Cheryl – who used to move via Cheryl Hollow – took phase in the similar sequence of Drag Race as The Vivienne. The performer wrote on Instagram: “I will be able to love you without end Viv.”
John Hyland, group partnerships lead at Sahir, a LGBTQ+ and HIV charity in Liverpool, additionally paid tribute. Drag lovers were donating to Sahir’s newest marketing campaign as a mark of appreciate for The Vivienne, who posted in regards to the enchantment simply days earlier than their loss of life.
John stated: “It says so much to Viv’s personality that her final social submit used to be about our Pound for Sahir marketing campaign. She simply sought after to offer again.
“In the event you have a look at the reaction this night, I feel we are going to be in mourning on this town for a very long time. The Vivienne used to be a fantastic personality, a fantastic affect.”
Dexter Clift, higher referred to as River Medway, competed at the 3rd sequence of Drag Race UK and went on to accomplish with The Vivienne in quite a lot of initiatives together with displays and track movies.
They informed the BBC: “He used to be the blueprint of a drag celebrity. So gifted, so humorous, so entertaining. I used to like getting a gig with Viv as it supposed I might get to observe her.
“The Viv has been round doing drag for see you later however I believed we have been going to look the following Paul O’Grady. I used to be satisfied The Viv used to be going to host Drag Race UK at some point.
“I to find it very tricky to assume that that is the tip of that tale.”
Williams’ ex-husband, David Ludford, paid tribute on Instagram.
He wrote: “My center actually sank once I were given the decision! My center is shattered!”
Natasha Von Spirit, a Liverpool drag queen, stated that The Vivienne had put British drag “within the mainstream” and that they’d be enjoying songs in tribute to them during the evening.
They stated: “Every time she used to be out at the scene after drag race she used to be simply one of the crucial Liverpool gays.
“I’ll play all kinds for Viv this night – indubitably Strolling in Memphis as a result of earlier than Drag Race she sung that none prevent, and indubitably just a little of her personal track as smartly.”
Getty PicturesWilliams used to be born in Wales, and followed the drag title as a result of a love for dressed in Vivienne Westwood clothes.
Rydal Penrhos college in Colwyn Bay, the place Williams used to be a former scholar, stated it used to be “deeply stunned and saddened” via the big name’s loss of life.
“The Vivienne’s a hit profession as a performer and artist proved a supply of inspiration and pleasure to such a lot of”, the college stated in a commentary.
In addition to profitable Drag Race, The Vivienne got here 3rd at the 2023 version of Dancing On Ice, and carried out because the Depraved Witch of the West in a UK and Eire excursion of The Wizard Of Oz. musical.
The performer reprised the function within the West Finish on the Gillian Lynne Theatre final yr.
The Vivienne additionally competed on an all-winners season of the RuPaul franchise in the United States in 2022, and starred in BBC 3 display The Vivienne Takes On Hollywood in 2020.
In an Instagram submit on Boxing Day, The Vivienne post a sequence of pictures, captioning it: “24′ highlights.”
“What a yr it is been. Here is to attaining new heights and reaching goals in 25,” the big name wrote, earlier than signing off: “Viv xxx.”
Mr Jones stated phrases pronouncing The Vivienne’s loss of life have been ones he “by no means ever sought after to put in writing”.
“No person has ever made me snort in my existence up to Viv did. Their comedian genius and fast wit used to be like no different,” he stated.
“I am so proud and fortunate that Viv used to be one of these large a part of my existence each day for the final 5 years.”
Mr Jones requested for privateness for the big name’s circle of relatives and stated no additional main points could be launched at the moment.
Fiona Campbell, BBC controller of minor target market, referred to as the inside track “deeply unhappy”, including: “We’re fiercely happy with The Vivienne’s achievements, together with profitable the primary ever sequence of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK.
“At this time our ideas are with their friends and family, the Drag Race sisterhood and their many lovers.”
