The Vivienne, whose real name was James Lee Williams, had been one of the breakout stars on RuPaul’s Drag Race – the BBC reality show in which drag queens compete in front of host RuPaul
RuPaul is so upset by The Vivienne’s death he is “seriously considering” quitting his hosting duties on his iconic show, reports today claim.
The 64-year-old host paid tribute to The Vivienne, real name James Lee Williams, after they died aged 32 on the weekend. Ru had said: “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.”
The Vivienne had been one of the breakout stars on RuPaul’s Drag Race – the BBC reality show in which drag queens compete in front of host RuPaul to be named his “superstar”. The Vivienne won the first UK series in 2019.
Their death has reportedly left Ru “in bits” – and considering stepping away from his TV series, which has aired on the BBC for five years, after enjoying success in the US.
A source said: “This has come like a bolt out of the blue for Ru. The Vivienne was one of his brightest stars and everyone knows what a soft spot he had for them. He has been left absolutely devastated by their passing and is now weighing up his own future. Ru is now seriously considering standing down from hosting the UK franchise, which will always be associated with The Viv.”
Ru, from San Diego, California, did not address the tragedy for 24 hours before his emotional Instagram message. The drag queen was at first missing among the sea of tributes, which included poignant words from singer Michelle Visage and Emmerdale actress Lisa Riley.
But Ru eventually paid his respects to The Viv, following which friends told Mail Online Ru is ready to step down from the UK franchise, leaving it in the hands of co-presenters Michelle Visage herself, Alan Carr and Graham Norton. Fans of the show, though, are sure to question how long the show can continue – if at all – without its eponymous host.
Williams, who chose the name The Vivienne from a love of Vivienne Westwood clothing, struggling to make a living in the bars of Gran Canaria. So, Williams, born and raised in Colwyn Bay, north Wales, became obsessed with RuPaul and his talent show, which had launched in the US in 2009, and The Vivienne was publicly formed.
The Viv won RuPaul’s first UK series, and competed again in the seventh season of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars in 2022. In 2019, The Vivienne was popular for their successful combination of honesty, catty putdowns and an excellent impersonation of Donald Trump.
But on Sunday Williams’s distraught father found his child unresponsive at home. Cheshire Police said officers were called to an address in Chorlton-by-Backford at 12.22pm on Sunday and in an update, confirmed they had found “no suspicious circumstances”.
