Vivienne has become one of the UK's most popular drag queens, after taking home the trophy on the first series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK.
Sadly, the artist's publicist, Simon Jones, confirmed on January 5, 2025, that she had passed away.
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Rocket to fame
Vivian James Lee Williams was born on April 12, 1992.
She grew up in North Wales and moved to Liverpool at the age of sixteen.
After moving to northwest England, she began her career and took her name from the famous fashion designer Vivienne Westwood.
In 2015, she appeared on the first series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK.
Read more about Vivian
Drag legends RuPaul and Michelle Visage were wowed by Vivian's hilarious antics, which included a witty imitation of Donald Trump, as well as her sophisticated fashion.
She took home the trophy and became one of the most popular drag queens on television.
Life in the public eye
Vivienne had her own TV show on BBC Three called The Vivienne Takes Hollywood, and also appeared on Channel 4's Celebrity Hunted.
Viewers fell in love with her again when she appeared on Dancing on Ice in 2023.
However, in the same year, the performer was the victim of a homophobic attack at a McDonald's restaurant in Liverpool.
Merseyside Police said a man made “homophobic comments” towards the drag queen before punching her “in the face”.
Vivian spoke in court about how the incident had traumatized her.
She said: “I moved out of the house when I was 16 and I've always been very confident and never let my surroundings dictate what I do with my life.
“On the Saturday or Sunday after the attack, I was at Chester train station traveling alone, I didn't know it was the Chester Races and there were a lot of people around getting bags.
“It was the first time in my life that I walked away from any situation.
“I found myself hiding at the end of the stage away from the audience because I was dealing with, 'What if this happens again?'
“I think that was the moment I realized how much it affected me.
“As a 31-year-old man, it's very difficult to adjust to.”
The man behind the attack, Alan Whitfield, was found guilty of homophobic assault and sentenced to 12 weeks in prison, with an 18-month suspended sentence.
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Vivian's love life
Vivian married David Ludford in 2019, after meeting him in Gran Canaria in 2017.
According to David, the duo “clicked instantly” and shared a love of drag.
David is the owner of a wig production and styling company.
The couple separated in 2023, after spending seven years together.
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Vivian's tragic death
Sadly, Vivian's publicist Simon Jones has announced that the artist has passed away on January 5, 2025.
Simon released a heartbreaking statement that said: “It is with great sadness that we inform you that our beloved James Lee Williams – The Vivian, passed away this weekend.
“James was a lovely, warm-hearted and incredibly amazing person.
Their family is deeply saddened by the loss of their son, brother and uncle.
“They are very proud of the wonderful things James has achieved in their lives and careers.”
Simon added: “We will not publish any further details.
“We ask that James’ family be given the time and privacy they need now to process their grief.”
David also released a statement saying that The Vivienne taught him “what it really means to love someone.”
Michelle Visage, one of the judges on RuPaul's Drag Race, described the performer as a “beacon to so many.”
