Liverpool to host vigil to celebrate the life of The Vivienne

A vigil will be held at St George’s Hall to celebrate the life of drag superstar The Vivienne, bringing together the LGBTQ community, family, friends and fans to say goodbye.

It was announced on Sunday that Drag Race UK winner The Vivienne, whose real name was James Lee Williams, died aged 32.

The shock news prompted an outpouring of tributes from loved ones, colleagues, and fans across the globe.

The vigil will take place at St George’s Hall on Sunday, January 12, at 6.00pm, giving people space to share their grief and memories.

James was a much-loved figure on Liverpool’s LGBTQ+ scene and, after finding fame on the first RuPaul’s Drag Race UK in 2019 as The Vivienne, regularly supported the local community.

Most recently they took time out from a tour with Chitty Chitty Bang Bang to join a fundraiser in December for Liverpool LGBTQ+ and HIV charity Sahir, formerly Sahir House.

John Hyland, community partnerships lead at Sahir, is organising the vigil after being in contact with James’ family.

John said:

“It will be a place for the Liverpool community, and for everyone who has been touched by their death, to come together and grieve collectively and say goodbye.

“Whenever people have asked me about The Vivienne, I’ve said they’re probably the most famous drag queen in the UK, they’re definitely the modern day Lily Savage.

“We’ve been getting non-stop messages and donations since Sunday night and they have come from all over the world, different demographics – men, women, younger people, all ages – and people who didn’t even watch Drag Race but just wanted to give a donation in their memory.”

The Vivienne as Donald Trump in Sahir House Snatch Game. Credit: Sahir House

John added:

“Although The Vivienne went on to become a global icon in the drag world, they never lost touch with their Liverpool roots.

“There was never any animosity or jealousy from other queens, they were so supportive, it was always ‘that’s our sister.’ That was because Viv always brought it back home and always wanted to give back.

“Last year the local drag community had been arranging a fundraiser at Superstar Boudoir which was a charity version of Snatch Game from Drag Race with celebrity impersonations.

“The drag queen who organised it wanted Viv to come and support it so when the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang tour was here we caught up and James said yes, no hesitation. They did an impersonation of Trump and it was amazing.

“That’s why James’ family wanted to make sure they did something in Liverpool because they know how much The Vivienne meant to this city and how much of the city is in The Vivienne.”