• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
RuPaul’s Drag Race winner The Vivienne dies aged 32

Home> Celebrity> News

Updated 23:23 5 Jan 2025 GMTPublished 23:14 5 Jan 2025 GMT

RuPaul’s Drag Race winner The Vivienne dies aged 32

James Lee Williams was the first winner of Ru Paul's Drag Race UK

Niamh Shackleton

Niamh Shackleton

RuPaul’s Drag Race star The Vivienne has died aged 32, their publicist has said.

James Lee Williams, who performed as a drag queen, won the first series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK.

Williams, who was born in Wales, adopted the drag name as they were known for wearing Vivienne Westwood clothing.

Drag star The Vivienne has died at the age of 32 (David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for World Of Wonder Productions)
Drag star The Vivienne has died at the age of 32 (David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for World Of Wonder Productions)

Advert

Their publicist, Simon Jones, announced the news on Sunday evening (January 5), writing that Williams was an 'incredibly loved, warm-hearted and amazing person'.

In a post on Instagram, Jones added: “It is with immense sadness that we let you know our beloved James Lee Williams – The Vivienne, has passed this weekend.

“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 please ask that James’s family are given the time and privacy they now need to process and grieve.”

Advert

A cause of death has not been publicly revealed.

They've been described as an 'amazing person' in heartfelt tributes (Santiago Felipe/Getty Images)
They've been described as an 'amazing person' in heartfelt tributes (Santiago Felipe/Getty Images)

Jones added that Williams would be remembered for their 'immense talent' and 'the light they brought to every room was astonishing'.

The tribute went on: “These are words I never ever wanted to write. Viv was a close friend, a client and someone I loved very much.

Advert

“Their comic genius and quick wit was like no other.”

RuPaul’s Drag Race judge Michelle Visage also paid tribute to Williams, saying they were 'a beacon to so many'.

Michelle Visage penned a tribute to James Lee Williams online (michellevisage/Instagram)
Michelle Visage penned a tribute to James Lee Williams online (michellevisage/Instagram)

Alongside pictures of them together, Visage wrote on social media: “Heartbreaking, I don’t know how to say how I feel.

Advert

“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.

“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.”

As well as the UK version of Ru Paul's Drag Race, The Vivienne competed on an all-winners season of the RuPaul franchise in the US in 2022.

Advert

They were the only UK contestant for that series.

If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact GrieveWell on (734) 975-0238, or email [email protected].

Featured Image Credit: Emma McIntyre/Getty/David M. Benett/Getty

Topics: Celebrity, LGBTQ, News, UK News

Niamh Shackleton
Niamh Shackleton

Niamh Shackleton is an experienced journalist for UNILAD, specialising in topics including mental health and showbiz, as well as anything Henry Cavill and cat related. She has previously worked for OK! Magazine, Caters and Kennedy.

X

@niamhshackleton

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • RuPaul's Drag Race winner The Vivienne found by neighbor in the bath after their sudden death aged 32, inquest finds
  • RuPaul's Drag Race winner The Vivienne died from cardiac arrest after taking ketamine
  • RuPaul's Drag Race star Jiggly Caliente dies aged 44 following 'severe infection'
  • The Walking Dead star Kelley Mack dies aged 33 from rare brain cancer as symptoms explained

Choose your content:

17 hours ago
20 hours ago
  • 17 hours ago

    New York influencer and close friend of rapper 6ix9ine found dead in her car aged 33

    6ix9ine paid tribute to his late friend Ariela La Langosta

    Celebrity
  • 17 hours ago

    Mother of Elon Musk's '13th child' claims she's currently broke and 'getting evicted'

    Ashley St. Clair has launched a new venture after experiencing struggles with her career

    Celebrity
  • 20 hours ago

    Aubrey Plaza makes heartbreaking admission about grief in first interview since her husband's death

    Aubrey Plaza has been speaking on a recent podcast about the harsh realities of grief

    Celebrity
  • 20 hours ago

    Another It Ends With Us star accuses Justin Baldoni of harassment in bombshell new filing

    Isabela Ferrer has claimed Baldoni's 'inappropriate' behavior began after Lively subpoenaed her

    Celebrity