The Vivienne, the champion of the first season of RuPaul's Drag Race UK, has passed away at 32, as confirmed by toneop
The performer, whose real name was James Lee Williams and hailed from Colywn Bay, Wales, also took part in season 7 of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars, being the sole non-U.S. winner invited to join.
Simon Jones, The Vivienne's representative, announced the news of their death on X (previously known as Twitter) on January 5. The cause of death remains undisclosed.
“With profound sadness, we share that James Lee Williams, known as The Vivienne, passed away this weekend,” read Jones’ statement.
“James was widely adored, kind-hearted, and a remarkable individual. His family is devastated by the loss of their son, brother, and uncle. They take immense pride in all James has accomplished in both life and career," Jones elaborated.
"No additional details will be released. We respectfully request that James' family is allowed the privacy and time they need to grieve,” the statement concluded.
Apart from Drag Race, The Vivienne participated in several other reality shows, such as Celebrity Mastermind, Celebrity Karaoke Club, and Dancing on Ice. They also hosted Netflix's Still Watching Netflix YouTube channel.
After the announcement of The Vivienne's passing, the Drag Race community began sharing their tributes.
“We are deeply saddened to hear about The Vivienne's passing. Her talent, humor, and dedication to the art of drag were truly inspirational. She will be greatly missed, but her legacy will endure as a symbol of creativity and authenticity — embodying what it means to be a true champion. Our hearts are with her family and fans during this challenging time,” the official RuPaul's Drag Race account shared on X.
World of Wonder, the company that produces Drag Race, posted on X: "We are devastated to learn of the loss of James Lee Williams, AKA The Vivienne, this weekend. Her talent, humor, and kindness were truly inspiring. She achieved tremendous success in her career and will be sorely missed. Our heartfelt condolences go to her family and friends, who request privacy and time to mourn.”
“Heartbreaking 💔. I don’t know how to express my feelings," Drag Race judge Michelle Visage wrote on Instagram. “My dear @thevivienne_, we have known each other since I started coming here to the UK.”
You were a constant presence, always full of laughter, generosity, and precision. Your sense of humor, sharp mind, and remarkable drag performances were unforgettable. Among all these qualities, what I cherished the most was your friendship. You shone as a guiding light to countless people.
I am completely shocked and devastated," commented Shea Coulée, who also participated in All Stars, on Jones' post.
"I'm so sorry 💔. I'm in total shock," expressed fellow UK drag queen Bimini Bon-Boulash.
Tia Kofi tweeted, "This is an enormous loss for both the British drag community and the world. Viv showcased UK drag at its finest, both onstage and onscreen, globally. She was a mentor, an inspiration, and a friend. This shock will profoundly affect us all. Love you Viv."
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| From left: Shea Coulée, The Vivienne, and RuPaul kick off RuPaul's Los Angeles DragCon 2022. |
On December 26, The Vivienne expressed their aspirations for the coming year in a tweet.
"What a year it has been. Here's to achieving new heights and fulfilling dreams in 2025. Wishing everyone a prosperous new year," they wrote on Instagram.
PEOPLE has reached out to The Vivienne's representatives for a comment.