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‘RuPaul’s Drag Race UK’ alum The Vivienne dies at 32
The Vivienne, winner of “RuPaul’s Drag Race UK” 2019, has passed away. They were 32.
The drag artist’s manager, Simon Jones, delivered the tragic news on Instagram on Monday (Philippine time), saying “It is with immense sadness that we let you know our beloved James Lee Williams – The Vivienne, has passed this weekend.”
“Their family are heartbroken at the loss of their son, brother, and uncle,” he added. “They are so proud of the wonderful things [The Vivienne] achieved in their life and career.”
Simon also said they will no longer release any further details and ask that The Vivienne’s family be “given the time and privacy they now need to process and grieve.”
In a separate post, Simon paid tribute to The Vivienne, whom he described as a “close friend, a client, and someone I loved very much.”
“From the moment I met them in 2019, I knew we would create magic together, and I became their manager,” he said.
“No one has ever made me laugh in my life as much as Viv did,” he added. “Their comic genius and quick wit was like no other.”
Simon called himself lucky that the drag artist became a part of his life for the past five years.
“I am heartbroken and devastated at this news,” he said.
“RIP my wonderful friend. You left us way too soon,” he added.
Meanwhile, “RuPaul’s Drag Race” paid tribute to The Vivienne through an Instagram post.
“[Their] talent, humor, and dedication to the art of drag was an inspiration,” the show wrote.
“[They] will be dearly missed, but [their] legacy will live on as a beacon of creativity and authenticity – [they] embodied what it means to be a true champion,” they added.
Rest in power, The Vivienne!
— Hermes Joy Tunac/LA, GMA Integrated News
