A moving vigil was held in honour of RuPaul’s Drag Race star The Vivienne – whose name was James Lee Williams – in Liverpool on Sunday following their sudden death last week
Hundreds gather to pay tribute to The Vivienne in Liverpool
Family, fans and fellow stars gathered in Liverpool on Sunday evening to pay tribute to RuPaul’s Drag Race star The Vivienne – who died earlier this month at the age of 32.
The performer, whose real name was James Lee Williams, passed away at their home last Sunday, 5 January, leaving the entertainment world and those who knew them devastated. A vigil was held on the steps of St George’s Hall to honour and celebrate the TV star – with fellow Drag Race performers and soap stars among those in attendance.
Buildings were lit up in green as a tribute to the performer – who had wowed audiences by playing the Wicked Witch of the West in an acclaimed UK touring production of The Wizard of Oz last year. And balloons were released into the air as those gathered at the ceremony bid the star farewell.
A statement written by The Vivienne’s family was read by their friend Bobby Musker, which said: “As a family we are completely overwhelmed by the outpouring of love for James, The Vivienne… From an early age it was evident he was destined for the stage… he was determined to pave his own way in this world.”
The family described the star as a “son, brother, uncle and true icon” and said: “The road was not easy but the dream never, ever changed and James would always tell us that they would make it happen and they did.”
The family said they were “so unbelievably proud of everything they achieved” and added: “We will miss you for an eternity and for an eternity we will all love you.” Danny Beard, who won season four of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, called The Vivienne a “truly larger than life” character who could “never be confined by the ordinary”.
Danny said: “The performances weren’t just acts, they were celebrations of life. They taught us it was OK to live out loud.” Emmerdale actor Liam Fox, who performed alongside The Vivienne in a stage production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, shared their sadness over the loss of the star.
Liam told the Metro: “It was so beautiful. She was so loved by all who knew her which makes it all the more tragic to have lost her so young when there was so much more ahead for her. I loved all the speakers, I loved all the stories from when she was starting out on the drag scene. There was laughter and tears. The balloon release, which happened organically during the song For Good, was particularly beautiful.”
Sunday’s vigil was organised with the help of Sahir House, Liverpool’s oldest LGBTQ+ charity – of which The Vivienne was an ambassador. The Vivienne found international fame after winning season one of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK in 2019 – going on to compete on the RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars in 2022 and appeared in other shows including Celebrity Hunted and Dancing On Ice.
They also featured in the 2016 film Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie, and even played themself in a special guest role on ITV’s long-running soap Emmerdale in 2021. The Vivienne’s death was announced last weekend as family and friends were left shocked and saddened by the performer’s sudden passing. Publicist Simon Jones broke the news on social media.
He 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, 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 statement added: “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.” Fans and fellow performers have shared their grief in the days since The Vivienne’s shock death. RuPaul Charles was among those leaving a tribute online.
Sharing a photograph of himself with The Vivienne on the famous Drag Race catwalk stage, RuPaul wrote: “With a broken heart, I join the entire Drag Race universe in mourning the loss of The Vivienne—an incredibly talented queen and a lovely human being.”
Drag Race judge Michelle Visage also shared her grief over the shock passing of the star. She wrote online: “I don’t have the words. Utterly heartbroken.”
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