RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner The Vivienne’s ex-husband has paid tribute to the late star, who died on January 5, aged 32.
READ MORE: ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race UK’ star The Vivienne has died, aged 32
Posting pictures from their wedding on Instagram, David Ludford wrote “My heart literally sank when I got the call!! My heart is shattered!!! Never in a million years did I think I’d ever be writing anything like this”. He would go on to describe his former partner as an “angel”. The couple divorced in 2023 after six years together.
The Vivienne, real name James Lee Williams, was the first winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK in 2019, before finding success on television and in theatre. They would come third in the 2023 series of Dancing On Ice, and star in the UK theatre tours of The Wizard of Oz and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
While no cause of death has been released, a spokesman for Cheshire Police released a statement saying there were “no suspicious circumstances” surrounding their passing.
The news has prompted tributes from many Drag Race stars, including creator of the series RuPaul. In his own post, he stated “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”.
My heart is heavy. The Vivienne was truly loved. A unique talent, sharp tongue and kind soul. I am sending my love to every person in our community today. Tell the people you love how special they are. Loss is one of the cruelest parts of the human experience.
Rest in Peace
— BÎмÎηÎ (@biminibabes) January 6, 2025
Elsewhere, fellow Drag Race UK contestant Bimini Bon Boulash posted on X (formerly Twitter) that they were “truly loved” and “a unique talent”. Wicked star Ariana Grande posted a picture of Williams on her Instagram stories, with three heart emojis.
Drag Queen Baga Chipz, who appeared with Williams on the Netflix YouTube show I Like To Watch UK, paid tribute saying “my beautiful, talented, mad, bestest friend in the whole wide world. Not just my sister but also my brother”.
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