RuPaul ‘may step down’ from hosting Drag Race UK after being left devastated over The Vivienne’s death
DRAG Race legend RuPaul could quit the UK version of the show following The Vivienne’s tragic death, according to reports.
The Vivienne, real name James Lee Williams, died at home at the weekend aged just 32.
The much-loved drag act shot to fame in 2019 as the first winner of RuPaul‘s hit reality TV show on this side of the Atlantic.
Williams’ death has left the show host devastated and contemplating his future on the programme.
A friend of the star told the Mail: “This has come like a bolt out of the blue for Ru. The Vivienne was one of his brightest stars and everyone knows what a soft spot he had for them. He has been left absolutely devastated by their passing and is now weighing up his own future.
“Ru is now seriously considering standing down from hosting the UK franchise, which will always be associated with The Viv.”
They added that RuPaul had already voiced concerns over his busy filming schedule and was aware he “wasn’t getting any younger”.
The US star shared a picture of him with The Vivienne after learning of their death and wrote: “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.”
The news of Williams’ death was announced by their publicist, Simon Jones, on Sunday evening.
Mr Jones wrote that Williams, who was born in Wales and later moved to Liverpool, was an “incredibly loved, warm-hearted and amazing person”.
He added that Williams would be remembered for their “immense talent” and “the light they brought to every room was astonishing”.
Williams performed as the Wicked Witch of the West in a UK and Ireland tour of The Wizard Of Oz musical and reprised the role in the West End at the Gillian Lynne Theatre last year.
They were due to be back on tour next month performing in the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang musical in the role of the Childcatcher.
Speaking in 2019 ahead of competing in the first series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, The Vivienne explained their name saying: “I love Vivienne Westwood and when I moved to Liverpool everyone used to call me Vivienne as I was head to toe in Westwood.”
The Vivienne said of their drag style: “My style is like a Scouse wife who has come into money, she moved to LA and blew it all and then she’s had to move back to Liverpool.”