Ex-husband of The Vivienne shares heartbreaking post after ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ star’s death

The Vivienne‘s ex-husband has penned a heartbreaking tribute following the Drag Race UK winner’s sudden passing.

The Vivienne passed away at age 32. Credit: John Lamparski / Getty

James Lee Williams, best known as drag artist The Vivienne, rose to prominence in 2015 after becoming the UK Drag Ambassador for the American series of RuPaul’s Drag Race.

They went on to win the inaugural season of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK in 2019 and placed third on Dancing On Ice (2023).

The beloved drag performer was confirmed to have passed away at the age of 32 on Sunday (January 5).

The devastating news was broken by Williams’ representative Simon Jones, who took to Instagram to share the following statement: “It is with immense sadness that we let you know our beloved James Lee Williams – The Vivienne, has passed this weekend.

“James was an incredibly loved, warm-hearted, and amazing person. Their family are heartbroken at the loss of their son, brother, and uncle. They are so proud of the wonderful things James achieved in their life and career. We will not be releasing any further details. We please ask that James’s family are given the time and privacy they now need to process and grieve,” he added.

Officials from Cheshire Police have revealed that police were called to an address in Chorlton-by-Backford, near Chester, at 12:22PM on Sunday after receiving reports of a sudden death.

“Police attended, investigated the circumstances of the death of the 32-year-old man, and concluded there were no suspicious circumstances. A file will be prepared for the coroner,” the spokesman confirmed, per Sky News.

A cause of death has not been disclosed yet.

Williams won the first season of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK. Credit: Karwai Tang / Getty

Tributes have poured in from across the globe, with many, including The Vivienne’s ex-husband, David Ludford, expressing their heartbreak over the star’s tragic passing.

Ludford and Williams tied the knot at Heaven, a gay nightclub based in London, in December 2019. However, in 2023, the couple confirmed their separation after six years of marriage.

On Monday (January 6), Ludford took to Instagram to share an emotional tribute post, which read: “My heart literally sank when I got the call! My heart is shattered!”

Check out the post below:

Ludford continued: “Never in a million years did I ever think I’d ever be writing anything like this about James Lee Williams. This man changed my life so much from the day we first met in August 2017 in Gran Canaria! We literally clicked straight away and we knew we were going to be together for along time!”

“He made me feel love and shown me what it was really like to love someone. We literally went through and did so much together it was like a whirlwind and I wouldn’t have changed the time we spent together for anything in the world!

“I feel like a t** feeling this upset and hurt because we have been fully divorced for just over a year now but we was together 6 [years] and we loved each other so much and you can’t take away,” Ludford penned. “I’m so happy to say I not only met you but we was together, we was husbands and you was the biggest part of my life for such a long time.”

“6 years is such a long time to spend 24/7 with. You will always have a place in my heart. Going to miss you more than people will ever know. Sleep tight angel,” the wig hairstylist concluded.

The post included pictures from the former couple’s wedding night, followed by a few candid snaps.

The drag star attended the Wicked (2024) premiere. Credit: Lia Toby / Getty

RuPaul Charles, the host of RuPaul’s Drag Race, mourned the loss of the iconic drag superstar in a heartfelt tribute post.

“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,” they penned.

RuPaul’s Drag Race judge Michelle Visage also reacted to the news, writing: “I don’t have the words. Utterly heartbroken,” while Drag Race UK star Bimini Bon Boulash added: “I’m so sorry… I’m in total shock”.

RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs The World winner Tia Kofi expressed their grief in a post on X (formerly Twitter): “This is an incredible loss to the British drag community and to the world.

Our thoughts continue to be with Williams’ family, friends and fans.