Baga Chipz has called for RuPaul’s Drag Race UK to be scrapped and replaced with ‘re-runs of The Vivienne’ to honour the late star.
The drag queen, 35, starred in the first season of the BBC reality competition alongside The Vivienne in 2019, and she thinks the best way to pay tribute to the series one winner, who died on January 5th aged 32, is to just air clips of them going forwards.
Speaking to BANG Showbiz at RuPaul’s DragCon UK at ExCel London, Baga said: ‘I think we should not have any more drag queens on Drag Race [UK] anymore and just have re-runs of The Vivienne.
‘That would be so much better. We should just watch that.’
The Ackley Bridge star – whose real name is Leo Loren – developed a close bond with The Vivienne, and they will always be her favourite, calling them ‘so fabulous’.
‘Some people have the look or they have the charisma and all that and the talent. I would say I’m quite charismatic, and I’m quite comedic and all that, and I’ve got that side – but she had it all.
Baga Chipz has called for RuPaul’s Drag Race UK to be scrapped and replaced with ‘re-runs of The Vivienne’ to honour the late star (pictured together at RuPaul’s DragCon LA in 2022)
The Vivienne, whose real name was James Lee Williams, tragically died on Sunday at the age of 32, devastating fans and their fellow queens (pictured in 2023)
‘She – because she was tall and statuesque and looked so gorgeous – people would be like, “Oh, she’s a bit intimidating,” but then she would open her gob, and she would do anything for anyone.
‘On Drag Race we always sat next to each other and did our makeup, and we’d always have a fag together. You meet people in life, and you just gel.
‘I was very lucky on my season because we all got on, but Viv and I were just a bit more – you have your favourites, don’t you?
The Vivienne, whose real name was James Lee Williams, tragically died on Sunday at the age of 32, devastating fans and their fellow queens.
The Viv, who used they/them pronouns, had been one of the breakout stars of the UK version of RuPaul’s Drag Race, winning the first series in 2019 with a successful combination of honesty, catty putdowns and an excellent impersonation of Donald Trump.
The Mail revealed last week that the shocking tragedy has also cast doubt of the future of Drag Race UK, with host RuPaul debating stepping back from the show.
The icon, 64, was said to be ‘absolutely devastated’ by The Viv’s death and has been ‘in bits’ about the sudden loss.
Baga Chipz starred in the first season of the BBC reality competition alongside The Vivienne in 2019, and she thinks the best way to pay tribute is to just air clips of them going forwards (pictured together in 2020)
Breaking his silence on The Vivienne’s death on Monday, RuPaul told his six million Instagram followers: ‘With a broken heart, I join the entire Drag Race universe in mourning the loss of The Vivienne – an incredibly talented queen and a lovely human being.’
Alongside the post was a throwback photo of James, out of drag, and posing next to his idol.
But, the tragedy has weighed so heavily on RuPaul that he is now ‘seriously considering’ stepping away from his hosting duties on the show.
A friend of the star told the Mail: ‘This has come like a bolt out of the blue for Ru. The Vivienne was one of his brightest stars and everyone knows what a soft spot he had for them.
‘He has been left absolutely devastated by their passing and is now weighing up his own future. Ru is now seriously considering standing down from hosting the UK franchise, which will always be associated with The Viv.’
The Mail revealed last week that the shocking tragedy has also cast doubt of the future of Drag Race UK , with host RuPaul debating stepping back from the show (pictured together at 2020 DragCon UK)
For some time RuPaul has confided in those close to him that his filming schedule is packed and he ‘isn’t getting any younger’.
What’s more, he believes the show is in ‘good hands’ with his co-presenters Michelle Visage, Alan Carr and Graham Norton.
But, without its eponymous host, fans of the show are sure to question how long it can continue – if at all.