The glittering crown-wearing queen of charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent, The Vivienne, has taken her final bow at just 32. Known for slaying the runway, dropping one-liners sharper than stilettos, and making us laugh-cry through countless episodes of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK and All Stars, The Vivienne left the world far too soon.
Her publicist, Simon Jones, confirmed the heartbreaking news on social media, sending fans clutching their pearls and ugly crying into their feather boas.
“It is with immense sadness that we let you know our beloved James Lee Williams – The Vivienne, has passed this weekend,” Simon shared in an Instagram post. “James was an incredibly loved, warm-hearted, and amazing person.”
Warm-hearted? Amazing? Try iconic, Simon! But go off.
The statement continued, leaving mascara running across Drag Race fandoms everywhere: “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.”
You know it’s true—The Vivienne didn’t just achieve; she excelled, hunty. Winning the first season of Drag Race UK wasn’t just a victory—it was a coronation. And her run on All Stars? Legendary.
Simon also chimed in with a personal message: “From the moment I met them in 2019, I knew we could create magic together. Their talent was immense, and the light they brought to every room was astonishing.”
Honestly, if The Vivienne walked into a room, she didn’t just bring light—she brought disco balls, spotlights, and a fog machine for good measure.
Simon concluded, “I’m so proud and lucky that Viv was such a big part of my life every day for the last five years.”
A cause of death hasn’t been revealed, and Simon has kindly requested privacy for The Vivienne’s family to grieve and process this unimaginable loss.
To all Drag Race fans, let’s take a moment to remember The Vivienne as she would’ve wanted: with a fabulous lip sync, a perfectly blended contour, and a whole lot of sass. Rest in power, queen. May you continue to werk it on that great runway in the sky.
