The Vivienne: How RuPaul winner became British drag breakout star

Recognized to the world as The Vivienne, James Lee Williams was one of many greatest breakout stars of British drag, and it began with an impression of Donald Trump in 2019 on the primary season of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK.

Like lots of the drag queens on the present, The Vivienne was unapologetically distinctive and hilariously straight-talking, however she additionally had one thing extra: pizzazz.

Described by choose Michelle Visage as “the perfect Snatch Sport character within the historical past of the present”, it was The Vivienne’s President Trump impression – full with pouted lips, orange make-up and a floppy blonde wig – within the Snatch Sport that received her the present.

That win consolidated The Vivienne’s affect within the drag group and her profession on the planet of TV and musical theatre flourished.

Giving one of the memorable performances within the Snatch Sport isn’t any simple feat, however The Vivienne’s highlights from the present go far past her Trump impression as she was answerable for a number of the present’s most iconic moments.

Having adopted the drag title The Vivienne due to a love for sporting Vivienne Westwood clothes, her weekly outfits on the catwalk had been second to none.

On the present, she described her drag type as being “like a Scouse spouse who has come into cash, she moved to LA and blew all of it after which she’s needed to transfer again to Liverpool”.

With no contour line misplaced and a perfected stroll in stilettos, she wooed the judges along with her daring, glitzy and saucy appears.

Her ‘Queen Elizabeth strolling round Balmoral’ outfit, which noticed her put on a gold poncho and gray knitted skirt with fluffy geese hooked up to it, was certainly one of her most memorable.

Mix that along with her doing the floss dance within the outfit and she or he had viewers, fellow contestants and even RuPaul crying with laughter.

Within the last she was described by choose Graham Norton as having “all of it”. Fellow choose Alan Carr added that she had “trademark wit” and delivered a “comedy masterclass” along with her impressions of Trump, Margret Thatcher and Kim Woodburn.

The Vivienne went on to be a contestant within the seventh season of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars in 2022.

In January 2023, The Vivienne grew to become the primary drag queen to seem on Dancing on Ice and was partnered with American skater Colin Grafton.

She completed in third place behind gymnast Nile Wilson and Joey Essex.

The pair skated to songs by homosexual icons resembling Dolly Parton and Cher and significantly excelled within the films and musical weeks, whether or not performing to Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious or Do not Cry for Me Argentina.

Her jaw-dropping means to skate completely from day one meant not solely did she by no means seem within the backside two, however she additionally by no means appeared decrease than third on the chief board.

Nevertheless it was the week 5 efficiency that struck a chord with many as James selected to not carry out in drag for the primary time, confessing that it made him emotional dancing to Beyonce’s Halo “with out my armour”.

James was extensively praised for his or her resolution, with one individual on X saying that “‘The Vivienne skating as James and never in drag in itself is inspiring”.

Williams starred in various theatre exhibits, most just lately in a job that appeared to be the proper match – the misunderstood but sturdy and compassionate Depraved Witch of the West within the revival of The Wizard of Ouncesmusical.

Starring alongside Aston Merrygold within the UK and Eire tour, the performer reprised the position within the West Finish on the Gillian Lynne Theatre final yr.

“I haven’t got many phrases to say as that is one enormous dream,” they wrote on Instagram. “Dream massive children.”

The Vivienne channelled her Depraved Witch of the West position off-stage in November when she despatched heads spinning in her emerald inexperienced sequined robe on the European premiere of the Depraved movie.

Most just lately, she was performing because the Childcatcher on the tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and carried out only a week in the past in Blackpool.

Whereas The Wizard of Ounceswas The Vivienne’s first theatre position, she was no stranger to TV and was capable of efficiently construct a profession in tv after RuPaul’s Drag Race, showing in a spread of programmes together with Hunted, Emmerdale and the Nice British Sowing Bee.

Over Christmas, The Vivienne appeared on a star particular of PJ’s Blankety Clean.

In 2020, the Vivienne starred in a six-part sequence The Vivienne Takes on Hollywood on PJ Three.

The present noticed the drag queen doc her travels to Los Angeles to be able to make a music video and was full along with her traditional Northern humour and zingy one-liners.

Not all drag race contestants and winners have been capable of construct such a profitable model round themselves regardless of their humour and flawless appears, which is testomony to how The Vivienne’s character shone by means of in all her work.