James Lee Williams, the British drag performer and singer who went by the name The Vivienne, has died aged 32.
The news was announced by their publicist, Simon Jones, who shared a statement from social media.
“It is with immense sadness that we let you know our beloved James Lee Williams – The Vivienne, has passed this weekend,” Jones said.
“James was an incredibly loved, warm-hearted, and amazing person. 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.”
The Vivienne, who was born in Wales, rose to prominence after competing in and eventually winning the first season of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK in 2019, having previously been appointed as the UK Drag Ambassador to the US show four years earlier.
Among their many memorable moments on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK was their candid discussions about dealing with drug addiction: “I didn’t really expect to talk about it, but when you’re on a reality TV show you do open up a lot more, because it’s just a pressure cooker of emotions and personalities,” they said in a 2021 interview.
They revealed that they often received at least 30 messages a day from fans who had been inspired to get clean.
After Drag Race, The Vivienne went on to appear in the critically acclaimed, award-winning medical drama This is Going to Hurt, based on Adam Kay’s memoir of the same name. They were the first drag performer to compete on Dancing on Ice in 2023, finishing in third place.
In 2024, they starred as the Wicked Witch of the West in a UK and Ireland tour of The Wizard of Oz musical, calling it “the most iconic story ever told”.
“It’s probably been the best experience of my life so far,” they told InCommon in an interview in January last year. “Just the rehearsal process alone was wonderful – being surrounded by the most amazing, talented and creative people, and for them to welcome me with open arms and actually enjoy what I’m doing with the role.
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“I feel very blessed and I keep feeling like I’m the one that’s ended up in Oz and that I’m going to wake up in Kansas once more and realise it was all a dream.”
The Vivienne reprised their role at the Gillian Lynne theatre in the West End.
Jones’s statement concluded: “We please ask that James’s family are given the time and privacy they now need to process and grieve.”
In a separate post, he said these were words he “never wanted to write”, adding: “No one has ever made me laugh in my life as much as Viv did. Their comic genius and quick wit was like no other,” he said.
“I’m so proud and lucky that Viv was such a big part of my life every day for the last five years.”
Following the news, tributes immediately began pouring in from hundreds of The Vivienne’s friends and supporters.
“I don’t have the words. Utterly heartbroken,” RuPaul’sDrag Race judge Michelle Visage wrote.
“I’m so sorry,” fellow drag artist Bimini wrote on Jones’s post. “I’m in total shock.”
Former Little Mix star and solo artist Perrie Edwards shared a series of heart emojis, while singer Nicole Appleton wrote: “Oh Simon I’m so sorry sending you love.”
Emmerdale actor Lisa Riley called The Vivienne an “incredible human”.
“Never stop shining your beautiful light over us all,” she wrote. “Love and strength to all your family. We will miss you so much.”