The Vivienne: Stars attend funeral of drag queen James Lee Williams

Josh Parry

LGBT & identity reporter

Reporting fromNorth Wales

Drag Race stars have joined family, friends and other celebrities to say farewell to James Lee Williams, better known as drag queen The Vivienne.

The funeral took place in north Wales on Monday, three weeks after the performer was found dead aged 32 at their home in Cheshire.

Famous names among the mourners included singers Jade Thirlwall and H from Steps, drag queens Cheryl Hole, Baga Chipz and Danny Beard, and actresses Claire Sweeney and Jennifer Ellison.

The coffin arrived in a horse-drawn carriage pulled by black horses with green plumes. Floral tributes “Vivienne”, “James” and “Son”, and the crown and sceptre awarded to RuPaul’s Drag Race winners were carried into the church ahead of the coffin.

Others at the service in Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire, included TV personalities Kim Woodburn and Kerry Katona, and more former Drag Race contestants including Veronica Green and Tia Kofi.

The Vivienne won the first series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK in 2019, and also starred in musical theatre and TV productions.

Aston Merrygold from boy band JLS, who co-starred with the drag queen in a stage production of The Wizard Of Oz last year, was also at the funeral.

After the service, those in attendance gathered on the lawn outside the church and white doves were released.

In early January, the news of Williams’ passing sparked an outpouring of grief from the LGBTQ+ community and beyond.

Monday’s funeral service took place at St Margaret’s Church in Bodelwyddan, near where Williams grew up and went to school.

They moved to Liverpool as a teenager and began performing in local bars and clubs as The Vivienne – named after their love of Vivienne Westwood clothing – before moving to Gran Canaria as a performer at Sparkles Show Bar.

In 2019 they won the first series of Drag Race UK and became known for their impersonation and character acting, most famously for their impression of Donald Trump.

The Vivienne later became the first competitor from the UK series to appear in the US version of the show, competing in series seven of Drag Race All Stars.

Away from RuPaul’s hit show, Williams also appeared on mainstream television shows including Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway and Dancing on Ice, had a guest appearance on Emmerdale, and most recently competed on a Christmas special of Blankety Blank.

After their death, tributes were paid by high-profile names including Ariana Grande, Drag Race judge Michelle Visage and host and creator of the show RuPaul.

Hundreds also attended a public vigil in Liverpool, where friends and family paid tribute through music and speeches.

Public buildings in the city were lit up green in honour of The Vivienne’s role as The Wicked Witch of the West in the UK and Ireland tour of The Wizard of Oz.

A book of condolences was opened at The Museum of Liverpool for members of the public and has since been handed to the family.

Police said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding Williams’ death.

Shortly after their death was announced, Liverpool-based organisation Sahir House received an influx of donations in memory of The Vivienne, who was a long-standing supporter of the charity and posted about it shortly before their death.