British Drag Race icon 'The Vivienne' dies at 32

Winner of Rupaul's Drag Race UK, The Vivienne passed away at the age of 32 as announced by their publicist.

The entertainment world is mourning the loss of James Lee Williams, widely known as The Vivienne, the first-ever winner of RuPaul's Drag Race UK. The drag icon passed away at the age of 32, with the news confirmed by friends and representatives on social media. The cause of death has not been disclosed.

In a heartfelt Instagram post, The Vivienne's publicist Simon Jones wrote, "It is with immense sadness that we let you know our beloved James Lee Williams – The Vivienne, has passed this weekend. Their family is heartbroken at the loss of their son, brother, and uncle. We kindly request privacy as they grieve."

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Simon Jones (@simonjonespr)

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Simon Jones (@simonjonespr)

 

The Vivienne made history not only as a drag performer but also as the first drag queen to compete on Dancing on Ice, earning high praise from judges and fans alike. Recently, they had ventured into musical theater and hosted a BBC Radio Wales Christmas special, showcasing their versatile talent.

Just days before their passing, The Vivienne reflected on their ambitions for 2025 in a poignant Instagram post, writing, "Here’s to reaching new heights and achieving dreams in ’25."