Yesterday, RuPaul, previous contestants on ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’, and fans across the board paid tribute to the beloved UK Season 1 contestant, The Vivienne. RuPaul, the renowned drag queen and TV host, used her Instagram platform to share heartfelt memories of the Welsh drag artist.
The Vivienne’s, also known as James Lee Williams, passing came as a shock to the drag community. Many went to social media to pay their respects to the Season 1 UK winner, including Ru. The 64-year-old’s Instagram post was simple and sweet and involved the entirety of the show community in missing the wonderful queen. Check the post out for yourself below:
A post shared by RuPaul (@rupaulofficial)
A photo posted by on
This post serves as a heartfelt flashback featuring RuPaul and The Vivienne without their drag personas. Fans and fellow queens’ comments on this throwback are filled with affection and reminiscence, recalling All Stars Season 7 alum Williams. As a newcomer to the series (still catching up on US content), I can sense the void felt by all who knew or admired them. Their absence will be deeply felt, but it seems their passing will only bring the community closer together, as shown in the comments: a testament to strong bonds being forged during times of shared grief.
- ❤️❤️❤️- bagachipz
- You meant the world to her! Sending love 🤍- thedannybeard
- Such a huge loss💔- kyranthrax
- She is gonna be remembered by so many as one of the funniest, fastest and fiercest queens ever. RIP @thevivienne_ – barbiebreakout
- A huge loss 🤍- elektrafence
Beyond her fame from “Drag Race,” Vivienne also made significant strides as a singer-performer. She released an album titled “Bitch on Heels,” along with several other non-album singles. In recent years, she’s made a promising start in theater, landing roles in productions such as “The Wizard of Oz” and the UK tour of “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.” Even beyond her drag career, Vivienne is admired and fondly remembered for her contributions to both stages.
In the midst of the 17th season of American Drag Race, scheduled for 2025 on our TV lineup, we’re deeply saddened by the heartbreaking news of a 32-year-old contestant’s demise. This remarkable show is renowned for its queens who put everything on the line and for its innovative final format, constantly adapting to cater to the fans’ preferences – as demonstrated in Season 16.
The impact of Vivienne, who has sadly departed, will continue to resonate deeply. She’s left an inspiring legacy that highlights the extraordinary talents within the drag community. It’s heartening to see RuPaul and others honoring Williams openly and affectionately. In my own way, I plan to pay tribute by revisiting some cherished moments from Drag Race and a selection of my favorite drag performances in movies.
If you’re interested in watching previous seasons of RuPaul’s Drag Race, you can accomplish this by subscribing to Paramount+. However, to catch Season 17, you may require a Philo subscription or access to MTV via your cable service provider.
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2025-01-07 00:07