Tragic past of RuPaul's Drag Race star The Vivienne
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The Vivienne gained a huge cult following when they won the inaugural season of RuPaul's Drag Race UK back in 2019 and consistently broke the boundaries of creativity and artistic expression before their tragic death aged just 32.
The star, whose real name was James Lee Williams, made appearances in a number of prime time TV shows after scooping up the RuPaul crown and became the first drag queen to star in Dancing on Ice back in 2023.
The news of Williams' death was announced by their publicist Simon Jones on Sunday, who described Williams as an 'incredibly loved' and 'amazing person'.
It comes as Cheshire Police announced today that there were 'no suspicious circumstances' surrounding Williams' death.
The talented performer, whose stage name was inspired by the late fashion designer Vivienne Westwood, was considered to be a trailblazer in British drag and battled a ketamine addiction before going on to win RuPaul's Drag Race UK.
Opening up about their drug addiction, Williams previously said: 'It was party drugs - but I couldn't leave the drugs at the party.'
After acknowledging they needed to seek help, Williams underwent treatment at The Armistead Centre in Liverpool before moving to Gran Canaria.
Speaking to The Mirror at the time, she said: 'Some guys I knew from Gran Canaria... asked me to do a gig in Pride. I did it, I was there for a week and I felt like myself and I hadn't touched anything for a week.'
The Vivienne also went through a breakdown of their marriage to husband David Ludford in 2023 after they tied the knot in 2019 at London's Heaven club.
The star took to Instagram in April 2023 to share the news with fans, writing: 'As many may have noticed, David and I have been apart recently. We have made the decision to part ways after an amazing 5 and a half years.
James Lee Williams, tragically died last week aged 32 following a glittering career that launched to new heights when they won the inaugural season of RuPaul's Drag Race UK
Williams is seen at the press night of The Wizard of Oz in July 2023
The Vivienne, whose real name is James Lee Williams, with their mother Caroline
Williams was born in Colwyn Bay, Wales, in April 1992
'We are still very much friends, but sometimes life gets in the way and people grow apart.
'We wish each the absolute best and will always be part of each other's lives. We'd ask that you please respect our privacy at this time. Thank you. James and David.'
David, who runs a company selling wigs for drag queens called Drag Helmet Wigs, had been a constant support for The Vivienne throughout their career, The Mirror reported.
The Vivienne and David were the first couple to tie the knot at London's Heaven when it was granted permission to host weddings.
The couple's split came as a shock to fans who flooded social media at the time with messages of support and best wishes.
That same year, The Vivienne suffered a homophobic attacked at a McDonald's in Liverpool.
Alan Whitfield, 51, from Everton, admitted assault by beating and was handed a 12-week suspended sentence.
Magistrates ruled the attack was motivated by 'hostility' towards Williams' sexuality.
Speaking to ITV's This Morning at the time, The Vivienne said: 'It was in broad daylight. I wasn't in drag. I was stood getting a burger and what happened happened.
'It did kind of shake me up a bit because even from a young age I'd been so confident and didn't care what one thought but even after the attack...getting on a train and hiding round a corner.'
The Vivienne pictured in the promo for 2023's Dancing on Ice in which they came third
Pictured: The Vivienne's post on Instagram announcing their return to The Wizard of Oz tour
The Vivienne and their dance partner Colin Grafton on 2023's Dancing on Ice
Describing Wales as a 'big-fish-in-a-small-pond situation', the star moved to Liverpool aged 16 to pursue a career as a makeup artist, developing a passion for drag along the way
The Vivienne with their mother Caroline
Pictured: he Vivienne attending the National Television Awards 2020 held at the O2 Arena
Pictured: RuPaul's Drag Race UK star The Vivienne pictured in May 2022
Read More
BREAKING NEWS
The Vivienne's final post revealed: Drag Race winner took to social media days before death
Cheshire Police said officers were called to an address in Chorlton-by-Backford at 12.22pm on Sunday following reports of a sudden death.
The spokesman said: 'Police attended, investigated the circumstances of the death of the 32-year-old man and concluded there were no suspicious circumstances.
'A file will be prepared for the coroner.'
Confirming the news on Instagram yesterday, The Vivienne's publicist Simon Jones wrote: 'It is with immense sadness that we let you know our beloved James Lee Williams - The Vivienne, has passed this weekend.
'James was an incredibly loved, warmhearted 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. We will not be releasing any further details.
'We please ask that James's family are given the time and privacy they now need to process and grieve.'
He continued: 'These are words I never ever wanted to write. Viv was a close friend, a client and someone I loved very much.
'From the moment I met them in 2019 I knew we could create magic together and I became their manager. Their talent was immense and the light they brought to every room was astonishing. No one has ever made me laugh as much in my life as Viv did. Their comic genius and quick wit was like no other.
'I'm so proud and lucky that Viv was such a big part of my life everyday for the last five years. It's tragic that their career was only just beginning. In musical theatre Viv had found a space and career they loved, excelled and thrived in.
'I am heartbroken and devastated at this news. RIP my wonderful friend. You left us way too soon.'
Confirming the news on Instagram, Simon Jones PR wrote: 'It is with immense sadness that we let you know our beloved James Lee Williams - The Vivienne, has passed this weekend
The Vivienne (James Lee Williams) and RuPaul (RuPaul Andre Charles) pictured together at RuPaul DragCon
Read More
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Just days before their death last week, Williams shared a heart-wrenching social media post.
The drag artist took to Instagram on Thursday to urge fans to donate to LGBTQ+ and HIV charity SAHIR.
Encouraging others to give £1 a month, they wrote: 'Join me in giving back this year, everything I do charitable wise is usually for @sahirhouse house, Liverpool's oldest LGBT+ charity!!!
'The work they do is incredible, thank you. £1 a month you won't miss it.'
Williams, who came second on the 2023 series of Dancing on Ice, recently performed as the Wicked Witch of the West in a UK and Irelands tour of The Wizard of Oz musical and reprised their role in the West End at the Gillian Lynne Theatre last year.
Tributes have since poured in from co-stars, friends and loved ones including Strictly's Oti Mabuse, ITV's Lorraine Kelly and RuPaul's judge Michelle Visage.
EastEnders actress Patsy Palmer wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: 'What devastating news. Sleep easy beautiful soul. Thankyou for being you.'
Paying tribute on Instagram, Oti Mabuse said: 'Some news hits you harder than others and stops you in your tracks. I absolutely loved The Viv. A beautiful human being, funny, kind, a trailblazer, creative and so warm.'
RuPaul's Drag Race judge Michelle Visage paid tribute to Williams, writing that their death was 'heartbreaking'.
Colin Grafton and The Vivienne (right) during a photo call for Dancing On Ice 2023
Pictured: The Vivienne attending the British Soap Awards in 2023 at The Lowry Theatre in Salford
Read More
BREAKING NEWS
The Vivienne's final post revealed: Drag Race winner took to social media days before death
Taking to Instagram to post photographs of them both together, Visage wrote: 'I don't know how to say how I feel. My darling 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.
'I love you my darling. You will be so missed my lovely. May your light shine fiercely, forever. RIP MY ANGEL fly high.'
The Vivienne was due to be back on tour next month performing in The Chitty Chitty Bang Bang musical in the role of the Childcatcher.
Paying tribute to The Vivienne on social media, the show wrote: 'We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of The Vivienne.
'Her talent, humor, and dedication to the art of drag was an inspiration.
'She will be dearly missed, but her legacy will live on as a beacon of creativity and authenticity - she embodied what it means to be a true champion.
'Our hearts go out to her family and fans during this difficult time.'
Born in Colwyn Bay, Wales, in April 1992, Williams grew up watching Lily Savage on TV, siting that as their first exposure to drag.
Describing Wales as a 'big-fish-in-a-small-pond situation', the star moved to Liverpool aged 16 to pursue a career as a makeup artist, first working on the beauty counter in Debenhams.
It was there that they earned their nickname The Vivienne for dressing entirely in Vivienne Westwood, developing their budding passion for drag while going out with friends in the evenings.
In an interview for The Sunday Times in 2020, Williams said: 'I saw some drag queens at a club one night and was stunned.
'These people were getting paid to have a great night and entertain people. I knew immediately that was what I wanted to do.'
Williams began performing and adopted their nickname as their official stage name, explaining they wanted to avoid a 'cheap, nasty drag name'.
In 2015, Williams beat 20 fellow performers in a short competition hosted by RuPaul.
In 2019, the budding star auditioned for and went on to win the first series of 'RuPaul's Drag Race UK'.
Leaping from one career triumph to the next, Williams then appeared on the seventh season of 'RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars' as The Vivienne, before becoming a finalist in 'Dancing on Ice' in 2023, where viewers branded them a 'star'.
The Vivienne
The star, whose real name was James Lee Williams, made appearances in a number of prime time TV shows after scooping up the RuPaul crown and became the first drag queen to star in Dancing on Ice back in 2023.
It comes as Cheshire Police announced today that there were 'no suspicious circumstances' surrounding Williams' death.
The talented performer, whose stage name was inspired by the late fashion designer Vivienne Westwood, was considered to be a trailblazer in British drag and battled a ketamine addiction before going on to win RuPaul's Drag Race UK.
Opening up about their drug addiction, Williams previously said: 'It was party drugs - but I couldn't leave the drugs at the party.'
After acknowledging they needed to seek help, Williams underwent treatment at The Armistead Centre in Liverpool before moving to Gran Canaria.
Speaking to The Mirror at the time, she said: 'Some guys I knew from Gran Canaria... asked me to do a gig in Pride. I did it, I was there for a week and I felt like myself and I hadn't touched anything for a week.'
The Vivienne also went through a breakdown of their marriage to husband David Ludford in 2023 after they tied the knot in 2019 at London's Heaven club.
The star took to Instagram in April 2023 to share the news with fans, writing: 'As many may have noticed, David and I have been apart recently. We have made the decision to part ways after an amazing 5 and a half years.
James Lee Williams, tragically died last week aged 32 following a glittering career that launched to new heights when they won the inaugural season of RuPaul's Drag Race UK
Williams is seen at the press night of The Wizard of Oz in July 2023
The Vivienne, whose real name is James Lee Williams, with their mother Caroline
Williams was born in Colwyn Bay, Wales, in April 1992
'We are still very much friends, but sometimes life gets in the way and people grow apart.
'We wish each the absolute best and will always be part of each other's lives. We'd ask that you please respect our privacy at this time. Thank you. James and David.'
David, who runs a company selling wigs for drag queens called Drag Helmet Wigs, had been a constant support for The Vivienne throughout their career, The Mirror reported.
The Vivienne and David were the first couple to tie the knot at London's Heaven when it was granted permission to host weddings.
The couple's split came as a shock to fans who flooded social media at the time with messages of support and best wishes.
That same year, The Vivienne suffered a homophobic attacked at a McDonald's in Liverpool.
Alan Whitfield, 51, from Everton, admitted assault by beating and was handed a 12-week suspended sentence.
Magistrates ruled the attack was motivated by 'hostility' towards Williams' sexuality.
Speaking to ITV's This Morning at the time, The Vivienne said: 'It was in broad daylight. I wasn't in drag. I was stood getting a burger and what happened happened.
'It did kind of shake me up a bit because even from a young age I'd been so confident and didn't care what one thought but even after the attack...getting on a train and hiding round a corner.'
The Vivienne pictured in the promo for 2023's Dancing on Ice in which they came third
Pictured: The Vivienne's post on Instagram announcing their return to The Wizard of Oz tour
The Vivienne and their dance partner Colin Grafton on 2023's Dancing on Ice
Describing Wales as a 'big-fish-in-a-small-pond situation', the star moved to Liverpool aged 16 to pursue a career as a makeup artist, developing a passion for drag along the way
The Vivienne with their mother Caroline
Pictured: he Vivienne attending the National Television Awards 2020 held at the O2 Arena
Pictured: RuPaul's Drag Race UK star The Vivienne pictured in May 2022
Read More
BREAKING NEWS
The Vivienne's final post revealed: Drag Race winner took to social media days before death
Cheshire Police said officers were called to an address in Chorlton-by-Backford at 12.22pm on Sunday following reports of a sudden death.
The spokesman said: 'Police attended, investigated the circumstances of the death of the 32-year-old man and concluded there were no suspicious circumstances.
'A file will be prepared for the coroner.'
Confirming the news on Instagram yesterday, The Vivienne's publicist Simon Jones wrote: 'It is with immense sadness that we let you know our beloved James Lee Williams - The Vivienne, has passed this weekend.
'James was an incredibly loved, warmhearted 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. We will not be releasing any further details.
'We please ask that James's family are given the time and privacy they now need to process and grieve.'
He continued: 'These are words I never ever wanted to write. Viv was a close friend, a client and someone I loved very much.
'From the moment I met them in 2019 I knew we could create magic together and I became their manager. Their talent was immense and the light they brought to every room was astonishing. No one has ever made me laugh as much in my life as Viv did. Their comic genius and quick wit was like no other.
'I'm so proud and lucky that Viv was such a big part of my life everyday for the last five years. It's tragic that their career was only just beginning. In musical theatre Viv had found a space and career they loved, excelled and thrived in.
'I am heartbroken and devastated at this news. RIP my wonderful friend. You left us way too soon.'
Confirming the news on Instagram, Simon Jones PR wrote: 'It is with immense sadness that we let you know our beloved James Lee Williams - The Vivienne, has passed this weekend
The Vivienne (James Lee Williams) and RuPaul (RuPaul Andre Charles) pictured together at RuPaul DragCon
Read More
Ariana Grande shares heartfelt tribute to The Vivienne following shock death aged 32
Just days before their death last week, Williams shared a heart-wrenching social media post.
The drag artist took to Instagram on Thursday to urge fans to donate to LGBTQ+ and HIV charity SAHIR.
Encouraging others to give £1 a month, they wrote: 'Join me in giving back this year, everything I do charitable wise is usually for @sahirhouse house, Liverpool's oldest LGBT+ charity!!!
'The work they do is incredible, thank you. £1 a month you won't miss it.'
Williams, who came second on the 2023 series of Dancing on Ice, recently performed as the Wicked Witch of the West in a UK and Irelands tour of The Wizard of Oz musical and reprised their role in the West End at the Gillian Lynne Theatre last year.
Tributes have since poured in from co-stars, friends and loved ones including Strictly's Oti Mabuse, ITV's Lorraine Kelly and RuPaul's judge Michelle Visage.
EastEnders actress Patsy Palmer wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: 'What devastating news. Sleep easy beautiful soul. Thankyou for being you.'
Paying tribute on Instagram, Oti Mabuse said: 'Some news hits you harder than others and stops you in your tracks. I absolutely loved The Viv. A beautiful human being, funny, kind, a trailblazer, creative and so warm.'
RuPaul's Drag Race judge Michelle Visage paid tribute to Williams, writing that their death was 'heartbreaking'.
Colin Grafton and The Vivienne (right) during a photo call for Dancing On Ice 2023
Pictured: The Vivienne attending the British Soap Awards in 2023 at The Lowry Theatre in Salford
Read More
BREAKING NEWS
The Vivienne's final post revealed: Drag Race winner took to social media days before death
Taking to Instagram to post photographs of them both together, Visage wrote: 'I don't know how to say how I feel. My darling 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.
'I love you my darling. You will be so missed my lovely. May your light shine fiercely, forever. RIP MY ANGEL fly high.'
The Vivienne was due to be back on tour next month performing in The Chitty Chitty Bang Bang musical in the role of the Childcatcher.
Paying tribute to The Vivienne on social media, the show wrote: 'We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of The Vivienne.
'Her talent, humor, and dedication to the art of drag was an inspiration.
'She will be dearly missed, but her legacy will live on as a beacon of creativity and authenticity - she embodied what it means to be a true champion.
'Our hearts go out to her family and fans during this difficult time.'
Born in Colwyn Bay, Wales, in April 1992, Williams grew up watching Lily Savage on TV, siting that as their first exposure to drag.
Describing Wales as a 'big-fish-in-a-small-pond situation', the star moved to Liverpool aged 16 to pursue a career as a makeup artist, first working on the beauty counter in Debenhams.
It was there that they earned their nickname The Vivienne for dressing entirely in Vivienne Westwood, developing their budding passion for drag while going out with friends in the evenings.
In an interview for The Sunday Times in 2020, Williams said: 'I saw some drag queens at a club one night and was stunned.
'These people were getting paid to have a great night and entertain people. I knew immediately that was what I wanted to do.'
Williams began performing and adopted their nickname as their official stage name, explaining they wanted to avoid a 'cheap, nasty drag name'.
In 2015, Williams beat 20 fellow performers in a short competition hosted by RuPaul.
In 2019, the budding star auditioned for and went on to win the first series of 'RuPaul's Drag Race UK'.
Leaping from one career triumph to the next, Williams then appeared on the seventh season of 'RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars' as The Vivienne, before becoming a finalist in 'Dancing on Ice' in 2023, where viewers branded them a 'star'.
The Vivienne
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