RuPaul Honors The Vivienne ‘With a Broken Heart’ Following Drag Race UK Winner’s Death
RuPaul and longtime judge Michelle Visage joined fellow Drag Race alums, including All Stars 7 sisters Jaida Essence Hall and Raja, in mourning the tragic loss of The Vivienne, the Drag Race UK winner who passed away at the age of 32.
On Monday, RuPaul shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, posting a throwback photo of herself and The Vivienne on the Drag Race Main Stage. In the caption, the Emmy-winning host and producer expressed her sorrow over the loss.
“With a broken heart, I join the entire Drag Race universe in mourning the loss of The Vivienne,” RuPaul wrote. “An incredibly talented queen and a lovely human being.”
Since the Drag Race series began in 2009, The Vivienne is the fifth queen from the franchise to pass away. Earlier losses include Drag Race Thailand contestant Bandit (2023), season 2’s Sahara Davenport (2012), Chi Chi DeVayne from season 8 and All Stars 3 (2020), and Drag Race UK competitor Cherry Valentine (2022).
RuPaul had personally crowned The Vivienne as the winner of Drag Race UK season 1 in 2019, and before that, she appointed The Vivienne as the official ambassador of Drag Race in the UK.
Before her untimely death, The Vivienne returned to compete on Drag Race in 2022 as part of the All Stars 7 cast. This marked the first time the series brought together a group of past winners for the chance to become the first queen to win the competition twice.
Fellow All Stars 7 queens also took to social media to mourn The Vivienne’s death, including Raja (season 3), Jinkx Monsoon (season 5), Yvie Oddly (season 11), Jaida Essence Hall (season 12), Trinity The Tuck, Monét X Change (All Stars 4), and Shea Couleé (All Stars 5).
Jaida Essence Hall wrote a touching message on Instagram, expressing her gratitude for The Vivienne’s light and friendship, “I’m going to miss you so much @thevivienne_.” Trinity also shared her fondness for The Vivienne, recalling the wonderful times they shared.
Raja, deeply moved, hosted a tearful Instagram Live on Sunday after news of The Vivienne’s death broke, honoring their friendship and celebrating their time together. Shea Couleé also posted a heartfelt tribute, saying, “There aren’t enough words to describe your impact on not only me, but the entire drag landscape.”
Shea continued, “Your joy, humor, and supportive sisterhood will stay with me forever. Like a handprint on my heart. Hoping and looking forward to when our celestial paths cross. Until then, love you dearly sister. You really were one of a kind.”
Michelle Visage, a longtime judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race, also expressed her grief, calling The Vivienne’s death “heartbreaking.” She posted a photo of herself with The Vivienne on Instagram, reflecting on their shared history and the lasting bond they had.
“Your laughter, your wit, your talent, your drag. I loved all of it but I loved your friendship most of all,” Visage wrote. “You were a beacon to so many. Seeing you make your West End debut was amazing. I’m the lucky one to have known you and laughed together with you so many times. I love you my darling. You will be so missed.”
At RuPaul’s Drag Race Live! in Las Vegas, the cast dedicated their Sunday night performance to The Vivienne, with the audience responding with a round of applause.
The Vivienne’s publicist, Simon Jones, confirmed the queen’s passing on social media but chose not to disclose further details regarding the 32-year-old’s cause of death. Representatives for The Vivienne have yet to respond to Entertainment Weekly’s request for additional comment.
Latest new from lovesunatee.com
