Vivienne: How the RuPaul winner turned a British drag breakout star

Known to the world as The Vivienne, James Lee Williams was certainly one of British drag's largest breakout stars, and it began along with his Donald Trump impression on the primary season of RuPaul's Drag Race UK in 2019.

Like most of the present's drag queens, The Vivienne was undoubtedly distinctive and hilariously straight-talking, however she additionally had one thing else: pizzazz.

Described by choose Michelle Visage as “the best Snatch Game character in the history of the show”, it was Vivienne's President Trump impression – in Snatch Game – with pouty lips, orange make-up and a floppy blonde wig that made her Won the present.

That win solidified Vivienne's affect within the drag neighborhood, and her profession flourished on this planet of TV and musical theater.

Giving some of the memorable performances on Snatch Game isn’t any simple feat, however Vivienne's highlights on the present go far past her Trump impression as she was answerable for a number of the present's most iconic moments.

After adopting the drag identify The Vivienne because of her fondness for carrying Vivienne Westwood's garments, her weekly outfits on the catwalk have been second to none.

On the present, she described her drag type as “like a Scouse wife who's come into money, gone to LA and blown everything and then she had to go back to Liverpool”.

Without any contour strains and an ideal stroll in stilettos, she wowed the judges along with her daring, shiny and enticing look.

Her 'Queen Elizabeth Walking Around Balmoral' costume, during which she wore a gold poncho and brown knitted skirt with fluffy geese connected, was certainly one of her most memorable outfits.

Combine that along with her floss dancing within the costume and he or she made the viewers, fellow contestants, and even RuPaul cry with laughter.

In the ultimate she was described by choose Graham Norton as having “it all”. Fellow choose Alan Carr stated she had a “trademark wit” and gave a “comedy masterclass” with impressions of Trump, Margaret Thatcher and Kim Woodburn.

Vivienne turned a contestant on the seventh season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars in 2022.

In January 2023, Vivienne turned the primary drag queen to look on Dancing on Ice and was partnered with American skater Colin Grafton.

She completed third behind gymnasts Nyle Wilson and Joey Essex.

The pair skated to songs by homosexual icons like Dolly Parton and Cher and particularly excelled at films and music weeks, whether or not acting at Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious or Don't Cry for Me Argentina.

Her wonderful capability 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.

But it was the week 5 efficiency that impressed many as James determined to not carry out in drag for the primary time, admitting that it made him emotional dancing to Beyoncé's Halo “Without My Armour”.

James was extensively praised for her resolution, with one particular person on X saying that “'Vivien skating as James and not being in drag is inspiring in itself”.

Williams starred in a number of theater reveals, most lately in a task that appeared good – the misunderstood however sturdy and compassionate Wicked Witch of the West within the revival of The Wizard of Oz musical.

The artist reprized the function within the West End on the Gillian Lynne Theater final 12 months, starring alongside Aston Merrygold within the UK and Ireland tour.

“I don't have many words to say because it's such a big dream,” she wrote on Instagram. “Dream big kids.”

Vivienne channeled her Wicked Witch of the West function offstage in November when she turned heads in her emerald inexperienced sequin robe on the European premiere of the movie Wicked.

Most lately, she was performing as Childcatcher on the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang tour and had simply carried out in Blackpool per week earlier.

While The Wizard of Oz was Vivienne's first theater function, she was no stranger to TV and efficiently pursued a profession in tv following RuPaul's Drag Race, showing in a variety of packages together with Hunted, Emmerdale and The Great British Sewing Bee. Was able to making.

At Christmas, Vivienne appeared in a celeb particular of the BBC's Blankety Blank.

In 2020, Vivienne starred in The Vivienne Takes Hollywood, a six-part collection on BBC Three.

The present documented the drag queen's journey to Los Angeles to make a music video and it was full along with her traditional Northern humor and zingy one-liners.

Not all Drag Race contestants and winners are capable of construct such a profitable model round themselves regardless of their humor and flawless seems, which is a testomony to how Vivienne's persona shines via in all of her work.