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James Lee Williams, known to fans as The Vivienne, the first-ever winner of RuPaul's Drag Race U.K., has tragically passed away at the age of 32. The announcement, made by Williams' publicist, Simon Jones, on January 5, 2025, confirmed the news but did not specify the cause of death.
Jones described Williams as "an incredibly loved, warm-hearted, and amazing person," adding that their family was heartbroken by the loss of their son, brother, and uncle. He requested privacy so the family could grieve during this difficult time.
RuPaul, the creator of RuPaul's Drag Race, expressed his sorrow in an Instagram post on January 6, 2025.
"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," he wrote.
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Michelle Visage, a long-time judge on the show, called Williams "a beacon to so many." She shared a heartfelt tribute on Facebook, reminiscing about their friendship and Williams' impact on the drag community.
"Your laughter, your wit, your talent, your drag. I loved all of it, but I loved your friendship most of all," Visage wrote.
Fellow drag queens also expressed their grief. RuPaul's Drag Race U.K. season three-star Bimini Bon Boulash commented on Instagram:
"I'm so sorry; I'm in total shock."
Meanwhile, Cheryl Hole, another contestant, said:
"I will love you forever, Viv."
Career and legacy of The Vivienne
Born in North Wales, Williams adopted the stage name The Vivienne as a tribute to designer Vivienne Westwood. Their rise to prominence began in 2015 when they became the U.K. drag ambassador for RuPaul's Drag Race. In 2019, The Vivienne made history as the first winner of RuPaul's Drag Race U.K., dazzling audiences with a memorable lip-sync to Wham!'s I'm Your Man.
Beyond their success on the show, Williams' talents extended to acting and live performances. They starred in Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie (2016) and took on the role of the Childcatcher in a U.K. tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. In 2020, they fronted the BBC Three series The Vivienne Takes on Hollywood, showcasing their charisma and versatility.
David Paul Ludford, Williams' ex-husband, shared his heartbreak in a touching Instagram post. Reflecting on their six years together, Ludford described Williams as someone who "changed my life" from the moment they met in 2017. Despite their divorce in 2023, Ludford expressed enduring love and admiration for Williams, concluding:
"Going to miss you more than people will ever know. Sleep tight, angel."
Ludford accompanied his tribute with a series of photos, including moments from their wedding in 2019 and candid snapshots of their time together. He shared another post filled with additional memories, describing his profound sense of loss and calling Williams an angel.
"Her legacy will live on as a beacon of creativity and authenticity—she embodied what it means to be a true champion," read a statement on X (formerly Twitter).
The official RuPaul's Drag Race social media accounts paid homage to The Vivienne, acknowledging their talent, humor, and dedication to the art of drag.
