The Vivienne - real name James Lee Williams - passed this weekend aged just 32, and their close friend has opened up about the tragic loss, saying it's 'cruel' their life was 'cut so tragically short'.
Simon Jones, who also worked as Vivienne’s manager and broke the news of their death, outlined how his professional career with Viv evolved into a beautiful friendship, and revealed his feelings in the wake of her passing. Simon explained that he was already a “huge fan” of The Vivienne after watching them in Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK, and was asked if he’d become their manager just before the first lockdown in 2020.
“Viv became a client, but a really good friend and someone I cared for dearly. In fact, we spoke nearly every day as our lives became intertwined,” he shared in the Metro. Simon described Viv’s incredible talent, sharing how the star could make him laugh harder than anyone else. “That was the magic of Viv. They could enter a room and it would light up with a presence that everyone felt,” he wrote.
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Getty Images)“On top of that, they were warm, charming, polite and professional. They made everyone feel special and loved – and that is a rare gift. They had pure star quality and pure raw talent.”
The PR manager went on to address how Viv’s career was reaching new heights, after the performer found a passion for musical theatre. The Dancing on Ice star appeared as the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz last year, alongside The Childcatcher in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang - both being full UK tours.
Simon shared: “It’s so cruel that this journey has been cut so tragically short. I feel confident Viv would have become a huge award-winning musical theatre star and cross over to Broadway. A huge dream they had.”
After sharing that he was “blown away” by seeing Viv’s skill on stage, he concluded his emotional tribute: “Viv leaves a legacy as one of the greatest drag and entertainment stars the UK has ever seen. Their presence will be felt forever. An icon of drag and a beautiful human who left us way too soon.”
Simon, as a beloved friend of Viv’s, shared the news of their death on Instagram on Sunday. He wrote: "It is with immense sadness that we let you know our beloved James Lee Williams - The Vivienne, has passed this weekend. James was an incredibly loved, warm- hearted and amazing person.
“Their family are heartbroken at the loss of their son, brother and uncle. They are so proud of the wonderful things James achieved in their life and career. We will not be releasing any further details. We please ask that James's family are given the time and privacy they now need to process and grieve."
While a cause of death has not yet been given, a police update was given today sharing that they discovered no suspicious circumstances at the scene of their death. A spokesman for Cheshire Police said officers had been called to an address in Chorlton-by-Backford, near Chester, at 12.22pm on Sunday following reports of a sudden death.
The spokesman said: "Police attended, investigated the circumstances of the death of the 32-year-old man and concluded there were no suspicious circumstances. A file will be prepared for the coroner."
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