The Vivienne, a celebrated star from RuPaul’s Drag Race, was honored at a vigil in their hometown of Liverpool on Sunday evening.
James Lee Williams, hailing from Colwyn Bay in North Wales, passed away on January 5 at the age of 32.
Numerous fans and friends of The Vivienne convened at Liverpool‘s St George’s Hall.
Buildings throughout the city shone in green light to honor the drag artist and their portrayal of the Wicked Witch of the West in the musical adaptation of The Wizard Of Oz.
Fellow drag performer Danny Beard stated that the vigil was “a tribute to someone who impacted the lives of countless individuals.”
“The Vivienne was among the most recognizable drag queens globally, a true world-class entertainer,” they remarked.
“Above all, they were a brilliant beacon in all of our lives, especially for the LGBT community.”
James Lee Williams – more commonly recognized as The Vivienne. Pic: PA
Since The Vivienne gained recognition in 2019, they have made appearances on several television shows, including Blankety Blank during the Christmas season.
The premiere episode of the Dancing On Ice series on Sunday evening also paid homage to The Vivienne, who was a contestant in the 2023 season.
Presenter Holly Willoughby mentioned that many would have been “heartbroken by the devastating news.”
“They played a significant role in our show, making it all the way to the finale in 2023,” she remarked.
“They will be profoundly missed, and our hearts go out to The Vivienne’s loved ones during this difficult time. So tragic.”
Discover more from Sky News:
‘Nothing remains’ of Mel Gibson’s residence after LA wildfires
Boris Johnson labels Vladimir Putin a ‘f****** idiot’
Following Mr. Williams’s passing, a spokesperson for Dancing On Ice expressed their “deep sorrow” at the news.
They noted that Mr. Williams had created “TV history through their innovative and mesmerizing skating partnership,” becoming the first drag performer to attain the Dancing On Ice final.
