British drag queen The Vivienne dies at 32

British drag queen The Vivienne | Image: Instagram/@thevivienne_

James Lee Williams, famously known as The Vivienne, who won the first season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race UK,” has died at age 32. 

The British performer’s publicist Simon Jones announced The Vivienne’s death on X (formerly Twitter).

“It is with immense sadness that we let you know our beloved James Lee Williams—The Vivienne—has passed this weekend,” the publicist wrote on Jan. 5. “James was an incredibly loved, warm-hearted, and amazing person.”

Jones requested privacy for The Vivienne’s family as they chose not to disclose the drag queen’s cause of death.

“Their family is heartbroken at the loss of their son, brother, and uncle. They are so proud of the wonderful things James achieved in their lives and careers. We will not be releasing any further details. We please ask that James’ family be given the time and privacy they now need to process and grieve,” concluded the statement.

Following news of The Vivienne’s death, a statement was shared on RuPaul’s Drag Race’s X page. 

“We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of The Vivienne,” it read, adding that their “talent, humor, and dedication to the art of drag was an inspiration” and that their “legacy will live on as a beacon of creativity and authenticity.”

The Vivienne, a native of Wales, started their career at age 16 in Liverpool, where they became a fixture in the local drag scene and where they also adopted their stage name. 

“I was known for draping myself in Vivienne Westwood,” they told Vada magazine in 2015, referring to the fashion designer, who died in 2022.

Even before winning the title in the first season of the drag race competition, The Vivienne was named the first-ever UK RuPaul’s Drag Race Ambassador in 2015. They also returned to compete on “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars” in 2022, where they placed 5th-8th place.

After their win on Drag Race UK, The Vivienne starred in their own series, “The Vivienne Takes on Hollywood,” which followed their journey to Los Angeles to break into the American entertainment industry. 

They also participated in “Dancing on Ice” in 2023, becoming the first drag queen to compete on the show, where they placed third.

The Vivienne has released music and is well-regarded for her vocal talent. They are also known for her activism, advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and visibility.