RuPaul says coronary heart ‘damaged’ after The Vivienne’s loss of life

RuPaul has stated his coronary heart is “damaged” after the loss of life of James Lee Williams, higher generally known as drag queen The Vivienne.

“I be a part of the whole Drag Race universe in mourning the lack of The Vivienne, an extremely proficient queen and a beautiful human being,” he wrote on Instagram.

The Vivienne, who was 32 and gained the primary sequence of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK in 2019, died over the weekend.

Tributes have been pouring in to the drag star on social media, with the present saying they have been “deeply saddened” by the information.

In a publish on X earlier, RuPaul’s Drag Race present additionally paid tribute: “She will likely be dearly missed, however her legacy will reside on as a beacon of creativity and authenticity – she embodied what it means to be a real champion”.

It added: “Our hearts exit to her household and followers throughout this troublesome time.”

Like most of the drag queens on the present, The Vivienne was unapologetically distinctive and hilariously straight-talking, however she additionally had one thing extra: pizzazz.

Described by choose Michelle Visage as “the most effective Snatch Recreation character within the historical past of the present”, it was The Vivienne’s President Trump impression within the sport – full with pouted lips, orange make-up and a floppy blonde wig – that gained her the present.

That win consolidated The Vivienne’s affect within the drag neighborhood and her profession on the planet of TV and musical theatre flourished.

Visage described the star as “a beacon to so many”.

Writing on social media, the present’s choose known as the information “heartbreaking”, including: “My darling The Vivienne, we return to after I began coming over right here to the UK.”

“You have been all the time there, all the time laughing, all the time giving, all the time on level.”

“Your laughter, your wit, your expertise, your drag. I liked all of it however I liked your friendship most of all.”

Drag Race UK star Bimini Bon Boulash additionally reacted to the information, writing on Instagram: “I am so sorry I am in whole shock”.

Cheryl – who used to go by the identify Cheryl Gap – took half in the identical sequence of Drag Race as The Vivienne. The performer wrote on Instagram: “I’ll love you ceaselessly Viv.”

Asserting the information of Williams’ loss of life on Sunday, publicist Simon Jones stated the performer was “an extremely liked, warm-hearted and wonderful individual”.

Dexter Clift, higher generally known as River Medway, competed on the third sequence of Drag Race UK and went on to carry out with The Vivienne in varied initiatives together with reveals and music movies.

They informed the BBC: “He was the blueprint of a drag famous person. So proficient, so humorous, so entertaining. I used to like getting a gig with Viv as a result of it meant I might get to look at her.

“The Viv has been round doing drag for thus lengthy however I believed we have been going to see the following Paul O’Grady. I used to be satisfied The Viv was going to host Drag Race UK someday.

“I discover it very troublesome to assume that that is the tip of that story.”

Williams’ ex-husband, David Ludford, paid tribute on Instagram.

He wrote: “My coronary heart actually sank after I obtained the decision! My coronary heart is shattered!”

Williams was born in Wales, and adopted the drag identify due to a love for carrying Vivienne Westwood clothes.