The Vivienne’s family issue emotional statement at Liverpool vigil: ‘We will miss you for an eternity’
“For an eternity we will all love you"
The family of Drag Race star The Vivienne has released a statement eight days after the Drag Race star’s tragic death.
Former Dancing On Ice competitor The Vivienne – real name James Williams – died on 5 January 2025 at the age of 32. The cause of death has not been made public.
Family friend Bobby Musker issued the statement on behalf of The Vivienne’s family at a vigil attended by hundreds in Liverpool, yesterday [12 January 2025].
“From an early age it was evident they were destined for the stage”
“As a family, we are completely overwhelmed by the outpouring of love for James, The Vivienne,” they said.
“From an early age, it was evident they were destined for the stage… they were determined to pave his own way in this world.
“The road was not easy but the dream never, ever changed and James would always tell us that they would make it happen, and they did.
“We will miss you for an eternity and for an eternity we will all love you.”
Musker, meanwhile, called Viv “‘the brightest star I’ve ever known,” adding that they had an “unmistakable energy that made them stand out in the crowd”.
The vigil took place on the steps of St George’s Hall. It was co-organised by Liverpool LGBTQ and HIV awareness charity Sahir House, of which The Vivienne was an ambassador.
Viv’s young niece Isabella meanwhile told the crowd: “Thank you very much for coming. I love you uncle James.”
St George’s Hall, and other landmarks in Liverpool, were lit up in green, in a nod to Viv’s role as the Wicked Witch of the West in a production of The Wizard of Oz.
Speaking at DragCon in London last week, RuPaul also paid tribute to the Drag Race UK season one champ.
“We are here to celebrate life and celebrate love and to spread it around,” Ru said. “We want to focus on love.”
“We are going to remember our dear The Vivienne with love and life,” he continued. “Because that’s what she was all about and she would love for you to live your lives and to be free and to have a lot of fun and spread it around.”