Drag Race choose Michelle Visage leads tributes to ‘her angel’ The Vivienne alongside heartbroken Perrie Edwards and Ashley Roberts following the entertainer’s shock loss of life aged 32

RuPaul‘s Drag Race UK judge Michelle Visage joined Perrie Edwards and Ashley Roberts in leading leading tributes to The Vivienne, who won the show’s UK series in 2019, following their tragic death aged 32.

News of the talented drag artist’s passing was announced across social media on Sunday. A cause is yet to be established. 

Sharing photos of herself alongside the Vivienne, real name James Lee Williams, Michelle penned a heartfelt tribute to ‘her angel’.

She wrote: ‘Heartbreaking 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’.

The news was announced in a statement by The Vivienne’s publicist Simon Jones on Instagram, to which Little Mix’s Perrie replied with a string of broken heart emojis.

Meanwhile Pussycat Doll star Ashley reshared the statement and commented: ‘This is devastating news, absolutely horrific, RIP Queen Viv’. 

She later captioned a snap of herself and The Vivienne in happier times writing: ‘The world lost an angel, rest in peace’.

X Factor and Union J star Jaymi Hensley shared his own tribute and asked late fiancé Olly Marmon to welcome their pal into heaven in a heartbreaking post. 

Oliver, 33, died after plummeting 30ft from the third floor of a three-star Hind Hotel in Wellingborough, Northampton, on August 12, just weeks ahead of his wedding to Jaymi.

The singer wrote:  ‘I actually can’t believe this! When we took this photo little did we know there would only be three of us left. 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.

Dancing on Ice’s Oti Mabuse, who judged The Vivienne as a contestant during the 2023, shared her own heartfelt tribute.

‘Some news hits you harder than others and stops you in your tracks. I absolutely loved the Viv. A beautiful human being,’.

She continued: ‘Funny, kind, a trailblazer, creative and so warm. You were such an asset to Dancing On Ice, one of the greatest on Drag Race and just a phenomenal entertainer on screen and theatre. Rest in peace’.  

The Vivienne’s Dancing On Ice co-star Claire Sweeney wrote: ‘Devastating news RIP The Vivienne, beautiful inside and out’.

Fellow DOI star Adele Roberts also paid her respects: ‘Absolutely heartbroken. Thinking of The Vivienne’s family, friends and loved one. Gone far too soon. Rest in paradise Queen’. 

Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies said: ‘The Vivienne, James Lee Williams (1992-2025). We met a couple of times and chatted online, he was absolutely delightful’. 

‘I was expecting lots of drag queen banter and bitching, but he was far more than that, kinder and more thoughtful and glittering with shrewd observations. And what a talent! On the cusp of graduating to West End stardom. What a world. Night, darling.

Confirming the news on Instagram, The Vivienne’s publicist Simon Jones wrote: ‘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, warmhearted 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.’ 

He continued: ‘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 as much in my life as Viv did. Their comic genius and quick wit was like no other.

‘I’m so proud and lucky that Viv was such a big part of my life everyday for the last five 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.’ 

The Vivienne received the name as they were known for wearing designer Vivienne Westwood and was later one of the ten contestants selected to compete on the first series of Drag Race when it travelled across the pond. 

Following their win, The Vivienne went on to host an online chat show where celebrities joined her to chat about series’ of the show, before they ventured in musical theatre. Recently, the performer hosted a Christmas party show on BBC Radio Wales.