Fellow stars shared touching messages to honour The Vivienne, with her manager sharing a personal tribute hours after breaking the upsetting news of their loss
Drag Race UK star The Vivienne – real name James Lee Williams – died this weekend, with her manager confirming the tragic news on social media.
After the news broke, plenty of The Vivienne’s closest colleagues and loved ones shared their heartbreak on Instagram, honouring the star’s impact on their lives. Hits Radio host Jaymi Hensley-Marmon wrote: “I actually can’t believe this! When we took this photo little did we know there would only be three of us left [broken heart emoji] my darling @ollymarmon please welcome our beautiful James @thevivienne_ into heaven! Look after each other , this is too much for my heart to handle! The scales of better people being up there then here has now well and truly changed.”
Another heart-wrenching tribute came from singer Michelle Visage, who shared: “Heartbreaking [broken heart emoji] I don’t know how to say how I feel. My darling @thevivienne_ 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.”
Tia Kofe, who won Drag Race UK vs The World, added: “This is an incredible loss to the British drag community and to the world. Viv represented UK drag at its absolute finest on stage and screen internationally. She was a mentor, an inspiration and a friend. This shock will be felt deeply by us all. Love you Viv.”
Ashley Roberts of the Pussycat Dolls wrote: “Omg! I can’t believe this. This is heartbreaking news,” while Little Mix’s Perrie Edwards shared a post about The Vivenne and added heart emojis. Love island star Amber Davies also shared the post, and added: “Just in complete disbelief. The most supportive and wonderful soul. RIP our Viv we all love you so so much.”
Jeremy Joseph, who runs the Heaven nightclub where The Vivienne got married, shared: “Viv, my heart is broken, I’m numb. I need to write words to say what you mean to me & nothing comes close to what I want to say. The world has lost a trail blazing drag queen, but I’ve lost one of my closest friends. Now I feel like my world is emptier. I’m so proud of everything you achieved, but mostly, I’m so proud that I was lucky enough to be part of your life.”
Their manager, Simon Jones, added: “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 in my life as much as Viv did. Their comic genius and quick with was like no other. I’m so proud that Viv was such a big part of my life every day for the last 5 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.”
Simon was the first to break the news on Sunday night, sharing a statement reading: “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. 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.”
* Follow Mirror Celebs on Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .
