As festivities start on the fifth annual “RuPaul’s DragCon UK” this weekend, promoters and individuals are doing all they’ll to make sure the presence of The Vivienne is felt all through.
Occurring simply 5 days after the beloved drag performer’s sudden passing at age 32, hearts had been heavy for the occasion’s kickoff early Friday afternoon. As seen on social media, tributes to The Vivienne, born James Lee Williams, had been plentiful whereas defining her influence on the world of drag and LGBTQ+ media.
Article continues beneath commercial
RuPaul Tells The Vivienne’s Followers And Pals To ‘Focus On Love’ As An Emotional Weekend Begins
From the beginning of “RuPaul’s DragCon UK 2025,” it was clear that The Vivienne was nonetheless on everybody’s thoughts.
Throughout the ceremony’s ribbon chopping, which “opens” the conference for followers to completely enter the ExCel London conference middle, RuPaul stood alongside co-host and good friend Michelle Visage, and make-up artist, “RuPaul’s Drag Race” alum Raven, and gave phrases of hope and which means to the group at massive.
“I need us to concentrate on love and keep in mind our pricey The Vivienne,” she mentioned to loud cheers of approval, “as a result of that’s what she was all about.”
After reminding the group to “dwell their lives and be free,” Ru adopted with a cheeky remark that her drag daughter would’ve wholeheartedly authorized of.
“Have a whole lot of enjoyable,” she said, “and unfold it round!”
Article continues beneath commercial
‘RuPaul’s DragCon UK’ Honors The Vivienne’s ‘Life, Love, And Devotion’ To The Artwork Of Drag
Later within the afternoon, “RuPaul’s DragCon UK” would proceed on a somber but celebratory word, with a second that includes the surviving forged members of “RuPaul’s Drag Race UK,” Collection 1.
Standing in formation on stage in entrance of a photograph of The Vivienne earlier than the Queens’ Stroll, a second of silence gave approach to touching phrases by an occasion organizer.
With shut good friend Baga Chipz within the forefront, the organizer led the group.
“We wish to take this second to thanks for all that you just’ve given us,” she shared, including, “Let this weekend be a celebration of [The Vivienne’s] love, life, and devotion to the artwork of drag. We love you!”
Article continues beneath commercial
As a remix of “You Spin Me Spherical (Like A Document)” crammed the corridor, the forged would stroll and prance down the pink carpet, displaying their charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and expertise, for the group of onlookers.
Article continues beneath commercial
‘RuPaul’s DragCon UK’ Reminds Followers To ‘Be Conscious’ As Others Mourn The Vivienne
With this yr’s occasion being scheduled months earlier than The Vivienne’s passing, there was a silent understanding of the emotional mindset of these attending RuPaul’s DragCon UK 2025.
In a word posted to the official “RuPaul’s DragCon” X/Twitter profile, the occasion promoters and World of Surprise, the manufacturing firm behind the Drag Race franchise, requested followers to be respectful of these in attendance whereas kindly reminding them of how they knew The Vivienne, and the way those that labored alongside her knew the performer.
“As we transfer by way of this weekend collectively, we all know that many people will wish to have a good time The Vivienne by sharing condolences with these near her,” it reads.
Article continues beneath commercial
“Please be conscious,” it continues, “that all of us course of and expertise grief otherwise and a few folks is probably not prepared but to speak concerning the lack of somebody near them.”
The submit follows with mentions of a devoted memorial house on the conference for these snug expressing condolences about The Vivienne, and grief counselors from the Switchboard LGBTQ+ Helpline being in attendance if vital.
“We can not wait to see everybody this weekend and fill the room with love.”
Tributes From Far And Broad Proceed To Come In For The Vivienne
Because the drag neighborhood and its followers proceed to return to phrases with the sudden lack of The Vivienne, waves of tributes proceed to return in from former “Drag Race” contestants and different family members.
Bimini Bon Boulash, a standout from the second sequence of “RuPaul’s Drag Race UK,” took to X this week to notice The Vivienne as “a novel expertise, sharp tongue and sort soul.”
“Inform the folks you’re keen on how particular they’re,” Bimini continued, including, “Loss is likely one of the cruelest elements of the human expertise. Relaxation in peace.”
Publicist Simon Jones, whose shoppers included The Vivienne and Bimini Bon Boulash, would go on to put in writing an prolonged piece for Metro UK after initially informing followers of the performer’s dying in a separate assertion.
Article continues beneath commercial
“What I’ll keep in mind most fondly is the superb personal moments we shared the place Viv would make me chuckle uncontrollably,” Jones recalled. “Typically we’d go for lunch or dinner simply merely to gossip and catch up. That was the magic of Viv. They might enter a room and it might mild up with a presence that everybody felt.”
One of the crucial emotional statements, little question, got here from Baga Chipz, who competed with The Vivienne on the first-ever “RuPaul’s Drag Race UK” competitors.
In a carousel of pictures shared on Instagram, the Collection 1 runner-up referred to her fallen sister as household and a finest good friend.
“You’ll at all times be the Velma to my Louise, and I’ll at all times discuss to you earlier than I am going onstage for each single present I do,” Bagz wrote, “as a result of let’s face it you had been a bloody powerhouse while you hit that stage. All the time there for me after I wanted you. My lovely boy. My James. Our Viv.”
Article continues beneath commercial
RuPaul Will get One In On The Vivienne’s Behalf In Relation To Disgraced ‘Drag Race’ Star
Whereas RuPaul led with love on the opening of “RuPaul’s DragCon 2025” this yr, she felt robust love was vital for a way a former contestant disgraced The Vivienne hours after her dying.
As reported on The Blast, James Ross, who competed on Season Two of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” as Tyra Sanchez in 2010, took to X on Sunday to “dunk” on a five-year remark made by The Vivienne.
“Guess Tyra was fuming when she realized Netflix spoiled the winner,” the late performer wrote, talking of the app’s launch of episodes forward of their unique airing schedule.
Ross, in flip, reposted the outdated remark and responded, “But it doesn’t evaluate to the fumes of the crematorium.”
After being criticized for her crassness by different “RuPaul’s Drag Race” alums and followers, Mama Ru would submit a clip of herself “slapping” Ross from an performing problem throughout Season 2 with the audio changed by the notorious “Sharkeisha” viral video.
