‘RuPaul’s DragCon UK 2025’ Celebrates The Life Of The Vivienne

As festivities begin at the fifth annual “RuPaul’s DragCon UK” this weekend, promoters and participants are doing all they can to ensure the presence of The Vivienne is felt throughout.

Occurring just five days after the beloved drag performer’s sudden passing at age 32, hearts were heavy for the event’s kickoff early Friday afternoon. As seen on social media, tributes to The Vivienne, born James Lee Williams, were abundant while defining her impact on the world of drag and LGBTQ+ media.

From the start of “RuPaul’s DragCon UK 2025,” it was clear that The Vivienne was still on everyone’s mind.

During the ceremony’s ribbon cutting, which “opens” the convention for fans to fully enter the ExCel London convention center, RuPaul stood alongside co-host and friend Michelle Visage, and make-up artist, “RuPaul’s Drag Race” alum Raven, and gave words of hope and meaning to the crowd at large.

“I want us to focus on love and remember our dear The Vivienne,” she said to loud cheers of approval, “because that’s what she was all about.”

After reminding the crowd to “live their lives and be free,” Ru followed with a cheeky comment that her drag daughter would’ve wholeheartedly approved of.

“Have a lot of fun,” she stated, “and spread it around!”

Later in the afternoon, “RuPaul’s DragCon UK” would continue on a somber yet celebratory note, with a moment featuring the surviving cast members of “RuPaul’s Drag Race UK,” Series 1.

Standing in formation on stage in front of a photo of The Vivienne before the Queens’ Walk, a moment of silence gave way to touching words by an event organizer.

With close friend Baga Chipz in the forefront, the organizer led the crowd.

“We want to take this moment to thank you for all that you’ve given us,” she shared, adding, “Let this weekend be a celebration of [The Vivienne’s] love, life, and devotion to the art of drag. We love you!”

As a remix of “You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)” filled the hall, the cast would walk and prance down the pink carpet, displaying their charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent, for the crowd of onlookers.

With this year’s event being scheduled months before The Vivienne’s passing, there was a silent understanding of the emotional mindset of those attending RuPaul’s DragCon UK 2025.

In a note posted to the official “RuPaul’s DragCon” X/Twitter profile, the event promoters and World of Wonder, the production company behind the Drag Race franchise, asked fans to be respectful of those in attendance while kindly reminding them of how they knew The Vivienne, and how those who worked alongside her knew the performer.

“As we move through this weekend together, we know that many of us will want to celebrate The Vivienne by sharing condolences with those close to her,” it reads.

“Please be mindful,” it continues, “that we all process and experience grief differently and some people may not be ready yet to talk about the loss of someone close to them.”

The post follows with mentions of a dedicated memorial space at the convention for those comfortable expressing condolences about The Vivienne, and grief counselors from the Switchboard LGBTQ+ Helpline being in attendance if necessary.

“We cannot wait to see everyone this weekend and fill the room with love.”

As the drag community and its fans continue to come to terms with the sudden loss of The Vivienne, waves of tributes continue to come in from former “Drag Race” contestants and other loved ones.

Bimini Bon Boulash, a standout from the second series of “RuPaul’s Drag Race UK,” took to X this week to note The Vivienne as “a unique talent, sharp tongue and kind soul.”

“Tell the people you love how special they are,” Bimini continued, adding, “Loss is one of the cruelest parts of the human experience. Rest in peace.”

Publicist Simon Jones, whose clients included The Vivienne and Bimini Bon Boulash, would go on to write an extended piece for Metro UK after initially informing fans of the performer’s death in a separate statement.

“What I will remember most fondly is the amazing private moments we shared where Viv would make me laugh uncontrollably,” Jones recalled. “Sometimes we’d go for lunch or dinner just simply to gossip and catch up. That was the magic of Viv. They could enter a room and it would light up with a presence that everyone felt.”

One of the most emotional statements, no doubt, came from Baga Chipz, who competed with The Vivienne on the first-ever “RuPaul’s Drag Race UK” competition.

In a carousel of images shared on Instagram, the Series 1 runner-up referred to her fallen sister as family and a best friend.

“You will always be the Velma to my Louise, and I’ll always talk to you before I go onstage for every single show I do,” Bagz wrote, “because let’s face it you were a bloody powerhouse when you hit that stage. Always there for me when I needed you. My beautiful boy. My James. Our Viv.”

While RuPaul led with love at the opening of “RuPaul’s DragCon 2025” this year, she felt tough love was necessary for how a former contestant disgraced The Vivienne hours after her death.

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 comment made by The Vivienne.

“Bet Tyra was fuming when she realized Netflix spoiled the winner,” the late performer wrote, speaking of the app’s release of episodes ahead of their original airing schedule.

Ross, in turn, reposted the old comment and responded, “Yet it doesn’t compare to the fumes of the crematorium.”

After being criticized for her crassness by other “RuPaul’s Drag Race” alums and fans, Mama Ru would post a clip of herself “slapping” Ross from an acting challenge during Season 2 with the audio replaced by the infamous “Sharkeisha” viral video.