If you followed British pop culture at all over the last few years, you knew the face. That razor-sharp contour. The uncanny, gravelly Donald Trump impression that somehow felt more real than the man himself. James Lee Williams, known to the world as The Vivienne, wasn't just another reality TV contestant. They were a force of nature who basically built the blueprint for what a British "Drag Superstar" looks like.
Honestly, it’s still hard to process that they’re gone. James passed away in early January 2025 at the age of 32. It was a shock that rippled through the drag community, from the local bars in Liverpool to the bright lights of Hollywood. But beyond the glitz of the runway, there was a real person—a guy from North Wales who just wanted to make people laugh and wear some Vivienne Westwood.
The Rise of a Scouse Icon
James Lee Williams didn't just wake up one day and decide to be a star. It was a long road from Colwyn Bay. Born in April 1992, James was of Romani heritage and grew up in a supportive but quiet environment. By 16, they’d moved to Liverpool to work as a make-up artist. That’s where the magic started.
The name "The Vivienne" came from a literal obsession with designer Vivienne Westwood. James used to dress head-to-toe in her designs, and the local scene just started calling them "Vivienne." Eventually, the "The" was added to make it feel more like a title. It fit.
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By 2015, RuPaul had already scouted them as the UK Drag Ambassador. It took another four years for the actual show to cross the pond, but when RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Season 1 finally premiered in 2019, it was basically Viv’s game to lose. They didn't just win; they dominated.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Career
People often think Drag Race was the beginning and end of the story. It wasn't. James was a legitimate theater actor and a trailblazer on mainstream TV.
They were the first drag performer to compete on Dancing on Ice in 2023. Think about the guts that takes. Not just learning to skate at 30, but doing it in full drag, under the scrutiny of a prime-time ITV audience. They finished third, proving that drag wasn't a "niche" act anymore. It was world-class entertainment.
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Then there was the stage. James starred as the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz on the West End and toured the UK as the Childcatcher in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Their manager, Simon Jones, often mentioned that musical theater was where James felt most alive toward the end. They had found a new gear.
The Tragedy in Early 2025
The news broke on January 5, 2025. James had been found at home in Cheshire. Initially, the details were kept private, but the family later chose to be incredibly transparent to help others.
An inquest in June 2025 confirmed that James Lee Williams died of a cardiac arrest caused by ketamine use. The coroner ruled it a "death by misadventure," meaning there was no intent to cause self-harm. It was a tragic accident.
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Their sister, Chanel Williams, has since become a vocal advocate for removing the stigma around drug use. She’s been working with the charity Adferiad to push for better education on substance abuse. The family’s perspective is clear: James shouldn't be defined by how they died, but by how they lived. They were a son, a brother, and a person who struggled with the pressures of fame and past addictions, just like anyone else.
Why James Lee Williams Still Matters
You can’t talk about the current state of UK drag without mentioning Viv. They bridged the gap. They took the "old school" British drag—the biting wit, the impressions, the "Scouse wife" energy—and polished it with "new school" American-style glamour.
- Authenticity: James was always open about being "the girl from Wales" who made it big.
- Versatility: From singing to skating to acting, they refused to be put in a box.
- Legacy: The 2025 documentary Dear Viv by World of Wonder showed just how much they meant to peers like Baga Chipz and Jinkx Monsoon.
Practical Steps for Fans and Supporters
If you want to honor the legacy of The Vivienne, it’s not just about re-watching Snatch Game (though that’s a great start).
- Support the Adferiad Charity: James’s family is working with them to fund addiction services and open conversations about ketamine use in the UK.
- Champion Local Drag: James started in Liverpool bars like Pink and Superstar Boudoir. The best way to keep the art form alive is to support the queens performing in your local venues.
- Watch "Dear Viv": The documentary released in late 2025 provides the most accurate, family-approved look at James’s life behind the makeup.
James Lee Williams left a void that won't be filled anytime soon. They showed us that you can be from a small town in Wales and become a global icon, as long as you have the talent and the "nerve" to go for it.