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The Vivienne

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The Vivienne
The Vivienne at RuPaul's DragCon LA, 2022
Born
James Lee Williams

(1992-04-12) 12 April 1992 (age 32)
Colwyn Bay, Wales, U.K.
Occupations
  • Drag queen
  • singer
Years active2015–present
Television
Spouse
David Ludford
​
​
(m. 2019; sep. 2023)​

James Lee Williams (born 12 April 1992), known professionally as The Vivienne, is a British drag performer known for being appointed as the UK Drag Ambassador in 2015 for American reality television series RuPaul's Drag Race. She later competed and won the first series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK in 2019, and competed again in the seventh series of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars in 2022.

The Vivienne delved into other ventures such as releasing her debut extended play (EP), Bitch on Heels (2022). She has since starred as the Wicked Witch of the West for The Wizard of Oz (2011) and reprise the role at the West End theatre at the Gillian Lynne Theatre.

Career

[edit]

2015–2018: Career beginnings

[edit]

Williams was given the name The Vivienne, because she was known for wearing Vivienne Westwood clothing, adding the definite article to make it unique. Her first drag show was located in Liverpool and has worked in various bars such as Superstar Boudoir.[1] The Vivienne competed in a one-day event judged by RuPaul, Katie Price, and Jonathan Ross, taking place at Café de Paris. She placed in the top two alongside drag performer La Voix, and was crowned as the UK Ambassador for RuPaul's Drag Race on 28 May 2015.[2] The Vivienne was later flown to Los Angeles and made a cameo appearance for the eight series of RuPaul's Drag Race (2016).[3]

2019–2021: Drag Race UK and Donald Trump impersonation

[edit]

On 21 August 2019, The Vivienne was announced as one of the ten contestants to be competing in the first series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK.[4] In September 2019, she participated in Jag Race, a racing competition in collaboration with Jaguar Cars, and raced for Sahir House, a charity based in her hometown of Liverpool that provides a space in which people can speak freely without fear of prejudice, stigma, abuse or exploitation in relation to HIV.[5] In November 2019, she was crowned the first winner of RuPaul's Drag Race UK. In November to December 2019, The Vivienne, alongside the cast of the first series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK embarked on a tour hosted by Drag Race alum Alyssa Edwards.[6]

The show saw The Vivienne and Baga Chipz reprise their Snatch Game impersonations of Donald Trump and Margaret Thatcher respectively, to host a fictional television news show, and consisted of six episodes as of January 2020.[7] At DragCon UK in January 2020 an additional episode was filmed with The Vivienne and Baga appearing as themselves.[8] Guests on the web series included fellow Drag Race UK alumni Sum Ting Wong as Queen Elizabeth II and Cheryl Hole as Gemma Collins.[9][10]

In March 2020, World of Wonder announced six-part series The Vivienne Takes on Hollywood, documenting The Vivienne travelling to Los Angeles in order to make a music video. The show premiered on BBC Three on 9 April, and simultaneously started streaming on WOW Presents Plus.[11][12] The same month, The Vivienne, once again alongside Baga Chipz, started presenting the UK version of I Like to Watch, a web series produced by Netflix in which they humorously review Netflix programming.[13]

In July 2020, The Vivienne voiced as Donald Trump in the BBC Three documentary Trump in Tweets.[14] She was one of the four competitors who appeared in the special Christmas edition of The Great British Sewing Bee that was transmitted on New Year's Eve 2020 on BBC One.[15] In June 2021, The Vivienne made a guest appearance as herself in the ITV soap opera, Emmerdale.[16]

2022–present: All Stars and Dancing on Ice

[edit]

In January 2022, The Vivienne starred in Channel 4's Celebrity Hunted, in aid of Stand Up to Cancer.[17]

In April 2022, The Vivienne was announced as part of the seventh season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars, whereby former winners of the franchise returned for the title of "Queen of All Queens".[18] In October 2022, she was announced to be competing in the fifteenth series of ITV ice-skating reality show, Dancing on Ice, setting her to be the first drag artist to participate in the show.[19] On 12 March 2023, The Vivienne finished in third place.[20]

In June 2023, The Vivienne presented the award for "Scene of the Year" at the 2023 British Soap Awards.[21]

Personal life

[edit]

Williams was born and raised in North Wales and moved to Liverpool at 16 years old. He is of Welsh and Romani heritage.[22]

Williams married David Ludford in 2019.[23][24] In April 2023, the couple announced their separation.[25]

In June 2023, The Vivienne fell victim to a homophobic attack in a McDonald's restaurant in Liverpool.[26] In a statement, Merseyside Police confirmed that "a man made homophobic comments towards him [The Vivienne] and then proceeded to punch him in the face before fleeing the scene".[27] The Vivienne utilised the attack as a way of highlighting the fact that homophobia still exists in 2023 and for members of the LGBT+ community to remain vigilant when out in public.[28] In December 2023, Alan Whitfield, 51, of Tom Mann Close, Everton, was found guilty of assault motivated by homophobia.[29] He was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison with an 18-month suspended sentence on 5 January 2024.[30]

Discography

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Extended plays

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Title EP Details
Bitch on Heels

Singles

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As lead artist

[edit]
Title Year Album
"Tonight" 2020 Bitch on Heels
"You Spin Me Round"
(Initial Talk remix)
"Bitch on Heels" 2021
"Jingle Bell Rock"
(with Tia Kofi) 		Non-album singles
"We Werk Together"
(with Ant & Dec, Lawrence Chaney and Krystal Versace) 		2022
[edit]
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
UK
[31] 		US
Elec.
[32]
"Break Up (Bye Bye)" (Filth Harmony version)[33]

(with the Cast of RuPaul's Drag Race UK)

2019 35 45 Non-album single
"To the Moon" (Cast Version)[34]

(RuPaul featuring the Cast of RuPaul's Drag Race UK)

— —
"Legends" (Cast Version)
(RuPaul featuring the cast of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars, season 7) 		2022 — —
"2gether 4eva" (The Other Girls)
(with the Cast of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars, season 7) 		— —

Filmography

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Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2016 RuPaul's Drag Race Herself Season 8 Episode 4; Member of the audience
Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie Drag Queen Film
2019 Just Tattoo of Us Herself Guest
RuPaul's Drag Race UK Contestant (Winner); Series 1
The Big Fat Quiz of the Year[35] 2019 Edition
2020 RuPaul's Drag Race Donald Trump Season 12 - Episode 1
Celebrity Juice Herself Guest - 2 episodes
Trump in Tweets Donald Trump Credited as Voice Over
The Great British Sewing Bee[36] Herself Christmas Special Contestant
2021 RuPaul's Drag Race UK Special guest; Series 2
Emmerdale Special guest
CelebAbility[37] Contestant
Celebrity Karaoke Club: Drag Edition
All-Star Dance Off Co-host with Steen Raskopoulos
The Weakest Link[38] Contestant (New Year's Eve Special)
2022 Celebrity Hunted Herself/Himself Contestant (Series 4)
Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway Herself Performed as part of The End of the Show Show
This Is Going to Hurt Drag Queen Episode 4
Celebrity Mastermind Herself Contestant (Series 20 Episode 5)
RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars Contestant; Season 7
Countdown to All Stars 7: You're a Winner Baby[39] VH1 special
The View[40] Guest
Celebrity Karaoke Club[41] Season 3; Guest
The Chris & Rosie Ramsey Show[42] Guest
RuPaul's Drag Race UK Special guest; Series 4
2023 That's My Jam Contestant
Dancing on Ice Contestant; Series 15
The British Soap Awards Presented the award for "Scene of the Year"
This Morning[43] Guest

Web

[edit]
Web
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2015, 2020 Transformations Herself Guest [44][45]
2019 Jag Race By Attitude [46]
2019–2020 Morning T&T Donald Trump World of Wonder original [47]
2020 The WOW Report Herself Guest [48]
I Like to Watch UK Netflix UK web series [49]
God Shave the Queens World of Wonder docu-series [50]
The Vivienne Takes on Hollywood World of Wonder original [51]
Trump Learns Things Donald Trump World of Wonder original [52]
The Pit Stop Herself Season Five, Episode Three [53]
2022 Around the Table Guest, By Entertainment Weekly [54]
BuzzFeed Celeb Guest, By BuzzFeed Celeb YouTube channel [55]
Friendship Test Guest, By Glamour [56]
Drip Or Drop? Guest, By Cosmopolitan [57]

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2022 Virgin Atlantic Attitude Awards The Inspiration Award Herself Won [58]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "No ordinary label queen: The Vivienne". Vada Magazine. 19 September 2015. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
  2. ^ Bond, Nick (7 September 2017). "RuPaul crowns her UK Drag Race ambassador". Atittude. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
  3. ^ Dey, David (29 May 2015). "RuPaul crowns first ever UK Drag Ambassador: The Vivienne". Out. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
  4. ^ Smith, Reiss (21 August 2019). "The RuPaul's Drag Race UK queens are finally here". PinkNews.
  5. ^ "LIVERPOOL'S THE VIVIENNE AND COURTNEY ACT GO HEAD TO HEAD AS THEY 'JAG RACE' FOR LGBT CHARITIES". TheGuideDeliverpool. Archived from the original on 30 September 2019. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
  6. ^ Crossley, Becki (13 September 2019). "Stars of RuPaul's Drag Race UK to tour in December, tickets on sale now". List.
  7. ^ "Morning T&T". WOW Presents Plus. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  8. ^ "Morning T&T at RuPaul's DragCon UK 2020! - Season 1". WOW Presents Plus. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  9. ^ "REAL News and Graceful Brexits - Season 1". WOW Presents Plus. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  10. ^ "Cancelled?!? - Season 1". WOW Presents Plus. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  11. ^ Ramos, Dino-Ray (24 March 2020). "World Of Wonder Sets The Vivienne Takes Hollywood With RuPaul's Drag Race UK Winner". Deadline. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  12. ^ "BBC Three - The Vivienne Takes On Hollywood - Available now". BBC. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  13. ^ "The Vivienne and Baga Chipz host new Netflix series I Like to Watch UK". Attitude.co.uk. 25 March 2020. Archived from the original on 26 March 2020. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  14. ^ Trump in Tweets, retrieved 19 July 2020
  15. ^ Yeates, Cydney (31 December 2020). "The Great British Sewing Bee celebrity New Year special winner announced". Metro. Retrieved 4 March 2022.
  16. ^ Earp, Catherine (7 May 2021). "Emmerdale brings in RuPaul's Drag Race UK winner The Vivienne for Pride episode". Digital Spy. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
  17. ^ Archer, Katie (28 January 2022). "Celebrity Hunted: Who are the contestants taking part?". Yahoo News. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  18. ^ Nolfi, Joey; Sederholm, Jillian (13 April 2022). "Drag Race reveals first all-winners cast for All Stars 7". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 13 April 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  19. ^ "Dancing on Ice makes history with line-up as RuPaul's Drag Race UK winner joins". Digital Spy. 7 October 2022.
  20. ^ Bashforth, Emily (12 March 2023). "Nile Wilson and Olivia Smart crowned champions of Dancing on Ice 2023 after nail-biting final against Joey Essex and The Vivienne". Metro. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  21. ^ "The British Soap Awards 2023 - Winners list". ITV. 4 June 2023. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  22. ^ "The Vivienne on Her Early Days of Drag: 'They Offered Me a Blue WKD and 30 Quid'". 19 November 2019.
  23. ^ "'Drag Race U.K.' Winner The Vivienne Got Married at a Gay Club". www.out.com. 16 December 2019. Retrieved 24 December 2019.
  24. ^ "Drag Race UK winner The Vivienne got married at Heaven nightclub". PinkNews. 17 December 2019. Retrieved 24 December 2019.
  25. ^ Dowrick, Molly (14 April 2023). "Dancing on Ice finalist confirms spilt from husband after 'life gets in the way'". WalesOnline. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  26. ^ "RuPaul's Drag Race UK star The Vivienne suffers homophobic attack". BBC News. 17 June 2023. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  27. ^ Amin, Meghan (17 June 2023). "RuPaul's Drag Race UK winner The Vivienne "shook" after suffering "disgraceful homophobic attack" in McDonald's". Metro. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  28. ^ Williamson, Harriet (18 June 2023). "The Vivienne shares passionate message from her mum following homophobic McDonald's attack". PinkNews. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  29. ^ "Drag Race star attack was homophobic - magistrates". December 2023.
  30. ^ Parry, Josh; Johnson, Kristian (5 January 2024). "Man sentenced for homophobic attack on The Vivienne". bbc.com. British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  31. ^ "CAST OF RUPAUL's DRAG RACE UK | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Official Charts.
  32. ^ "EDM Music & Dance Songs Chart - November 16, 2019". 21 January 2013. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
  33. ^ "Drag Race UK's girl group episode was the best in years, including America". 31 October 2019. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
  34. ^ "RuPaul's Drag Race U.K. Finale Recap: The Queen of England". 21 November 2019. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  35. ^ Yeates, Cydney. "The Vivienne hits back as she's criticised for using word 'fishy' on Big Fat Quiz Of The Year 2019". Metro. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  36. ^ Darville, Josh. "The Great British Sewing Bee Celebrity specials set for BBC One this Christmas". Tellymix. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
  37. ^ "CelebAbility Series 5, Episode 2". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  38. ^ Benson, Rhianna (31 December 2021). "Celebrity line-up revealed for The Weakest Link NYE special". Get Reading. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
  39. ^ ROBERTS, KAYLEIGH (2 May 2022). "How to Watch 'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 7'". Cosmopolitan. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
  40. ^ ""RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars" Season 7 Cast Takes Over 'The View' Part 1 | The View". YouTube. 12 May 2022. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
  41. ^ "Tonight on @itv2, I'll be surprising the Celebrity Karaoke Club contestants!! Nice to back on the drunkest stage in television 😂🎉😂". Instagram. 6 June 2022. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  42. ^ "TWatch me Tonight on The Chris and Rosie Ramsey show @bbctwo 9pm you don't wanna miss this 🙈🙈". Instagram. 6 June 2022. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  43. ^ "Drag Race winner The Vivienne opens up about homophobic attack". ITV. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  44. ^ The Vivienne and James St. James - Transformations. YouTube. 22 September 2015. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
  45. ^ Nguyen, Nikki (12 May 2020). "The Vivienne Slays James St. James' Mug on "Transformations"". World Of Wonder.
  46. ^ Courtney Act and The Vivienne actually drag race | Heat One – Jag Race S1, E1. YouTube. 30 September 2019. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
  47. ^ "The Vivienne and Baga Chipz Serve "Morning T&T" in New Digital Series". NewNowNext.com. 22 November 2019.
  48. ^ RuPaul on SNL! Margot Robbie! Britney! The Vivienne Joins Us for The WOW Report for Radio Andy!. YouTube. 19 February 2020. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  49. ^ Drag Queens Baga Chipz and The Vivienne React To Sex Education | I Like To Watch UK. YouTube. 25 March 2020. Retrieved 24 February 2020.
  50. ^ Barraclough, Leo. "'RuPaul's Drag Race' Producers Greenlight Two Docu-Series for SVOD (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
  51. ^ Damshenas, Sam. "Drag Race UK winner The Vivienne to slay Hollywood in brand new series". Variety. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
  52. ^ Nguyen, Nikki (13 April 2020). "Trump Sissys That Walk on "Trump Learns Things"". worldofwonder.net. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
  53. ^ The Pit Stop S5 E3 | Bob & The Vivienne Recap Get a Room! | RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars. YouTube. 20 June 2020. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
  54. ^ "Around the Table With 'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 7' | Around the Table | Entertainment Weekly". Entertainment Weekly. 26 April 2022. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
  55. ^ "The Queens Of "RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 7" Play Who's Who". BuzzFeed Celeb. 24 May 2022. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  56. ^ "RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars Take a Friendship Test | Glamour". YouTube. 9 June 2022. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  57. ^ "Ru Paul's Drag Race All Stars Rating Looks From Other Queens *ICONIC* | Drip Or Drop? | Cosmopolitan". YouTube. 1 July 2022. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
  58. ^ "The winners from the 2022 Virgin Atlantic Attitude Awards, powered by Jaguar". www.attitude.co.uk. 12 October 2022. Retrieved 6 November 2022.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to The Vivienne.
Preceded by
First
 Winner of RuPaul's Drag Race UK
UK season 1 		Succeeded by
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