Remembering the Vivienne: A drag icon who lit up lives and stages

UPDATED: Jan 14, 2025 00:12 IST

Liverpool was awash with green light and raw emotion on Sunday night, as hundreds assembled outside St. George’s Hall to pay tribute to the life and legacy of the drag icon The Vivienne, also known as James Lee Williams. The much loved star of stage and screen, who shot to fame when he claimed victory in the first series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK in 2019, died last week aged 32, sending shockwaves among friends and fans.

The vigil, organised in collaboration with Sahir House, Liverpool’s oldest LGBTQ+ charity, was a testament to the profound impact The Vivienne had on the community. With the landmark glowing in green—a nod to their role in The Wizard of Oz—attendees swayed under a sea of phone torches while a moving rendition of Somewhere Over the Rainbow played. It was a moment of collective remembrance and love, uniting people from all walks of life to celebrate a performer who embodied resilience and authenticity.

The Vivienne’s family shared an emotional tribute, read aloud by close friend Bobby Musker, expressing their pride in the incredible achievements James had accomplished. “From an early age it was evident he was destined for the stage,” the statement read. “The road was not easy, but the dream never, ever changed.”

Among the heartfelt speeches, The Vivienne’s niece, Isabella, took the microphone to share a touching personal message. “Thank you for being here to celebrate my uncle. I love you, Uncle James,” she said, her words resonating with the crowd.

The evening also featured performances by Joey & the Hot Tub Boys, who honoured The Vivienne’s vibrant spirit with songs like Heart of Stone by Cher and Heroes by David Bowie. Friends, including Drag Race UK winner Danny Beard, described them as “a shining beacon of light for the LGBTQ+ community” whose performances were celebrations of life itself.

Tributes poured in from around the world, including heartfelt messages from presenter Holly Willoughby and Drag Race host RuPaul Charles. At DragCon UK, RuPaul remembered The Vivienne with a call to embrace love and life, saying, “She would love for you to live your lives, be free, and have fun.”

The Vivienne’s rise to fame was nothing short of remarkable. Born in Colwyn Bay, Wales, they moved to Liverpool at 16 to pursue a career as a makeup artist, later dazzling audiences with their performances in Gran Canaria. After conquering the UK’s drag scene, they became a household name, appearing on shows like Dancing on Ice and Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway.

For those who knew and loved The Vivienne, their laughter, quick wit, and warmth will be deeply missed. As their publicist Simon Jones poignantly noted, “There is literally no one who made me laugh as much as Viv. She brought so much love and warmth into my life.”

The Vivienne’s legacy is one of courage, creativity, and an unapologetic embrace of self-expression. As the green lights faded and the crowd dispersed, it was clear that James Lee Williams had not just entertained but inspired countless lives—a legacy that will shine brightly for years to come.