A funeral service for James Lee Williams, known as The Vivienne, took place in north Wales after the beloved drag performer’s death at the age of 32.
The Drag Race UK champion was found at home in Cheshire on 5 January, with police confirming there were “no suspicious circumstances” surrounding her death.
On Monday (27 January), family, friends, and celebrities gathered to pay their respects at St Margaret’s Church in Bodelwyddan, close to where The Vivienne attended school.
According to the BBC, the funeral procession featured a pair of black horses adorned with jade-coloured plumes leading the way for the coffin. In a touching tribute, the iconic crown and sceptre awarded to Drag Race winners were carried ahead of the procession.
The service was attended by a host of well-known figures, including former Little Mix singer Jade Thirlwall, who is set to headline the UK’s Mighty Hoopla festival this year. Steps singer Ian “H” Watkins, a prominent LGBTQ+ figure, was also present, as were fellow drag queens Cheryl Hole and Baga Chipz. The latter, a close friend of The Vivienne, previously shared an emotional tribute, calling her late friend her “bestest friend.”
Actresses Claire Sweeney, known for her role in Coronation Street, and Jennifer Ellison, who hosted Dance Moms UK, also attended.
Other notable attendees included Kim Woodburn, who The Vivienne famously impersonated, and singer Kerry Katona.
Former Drag Race UK contestants Veronica Green, who recently shared her multiple sclerosis diagnosis, and Tia Kofi were also among those paying their respects.
The Vivienne first gained national recognition in 2015 when she was named the UK’s first RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Ambassador by RuPaul. In 2019, she made history as the first winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, becoming a household name. During her time on the show, she spoke openly about her struggles with addiction, expressing a desire to use her platform to help others.