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’.
RuPaul ‘s Drag Race UK judge Michelle Visage j(L) oined Perrie Edwards and Ashley Roberts in leading leading tributes to The Vivienne (R) following their tragic death aged 32
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’
The news was announced in a statement by The Vivienne’s representatives Simon Jones PR 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.
The news was announced in a statement by The Vivienne’s representatives Simon Jones PR on Instagram, to which Little Mix’s Perrie replied with a string of broken heart emojis
Meanwhile Pussycat Doll star Ashley 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 (L) shared his own tribute and asked late fiancé Olly Marmon (C) 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
Dancing on Ice’s Oti Mabuse, who judged The Vivienne as a contestant during the 2023, shared her own heartfelt tribute
The Vivienne’s 2023 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’
‘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.
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’.