‘RuPaul’s DragCon UK 2025’ celebrates the life of Vivienne

As the festivities begin at the fifth annual “RuPaul’s DragCon UK” this weekend, promoters and attendees are doing their best to ensure attendance Vivien felt in everything.

Coming just five days after the beloved drag performer sudden passage at the age of 32, hearts were heavy from the start of the event on Friday afternoon. As seen on social media, tributes to Vivienne, born James Lee Williams, have been rich, but also 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 a ribbon-cutting ceremony that “opens” the convention to fans with full access to the ExCel London convention center, Ru Paul stood alongside co-host and friend Michelle Visage and make-up artist RuPaul’s Drag Race alum Raven and gave hopes and meanings for the crowd as a whole.

“I want us to focus on love and remember our dear Vivienne,” she said to loud applause, “because that’s all she was.”

Reminding the crowd to “live your life and be free,” Roo dropped a sassy comment that her drag daughter would wholeheartedly approve of.

“Have lots of fun,” she declared, “and spread the word!”

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

Standing in line on the stage in front of The Vivienne’s photo ahead of the Walk Queens, a minute’s silence was followed by moving words from the event organiser.

With close friend Baga Chips in the front rows, the organizer commanded the crowd.

“We want to take this moment to thank you for everything you’ve given us,” she shared, adding, “May this weekend be a celebration of love, life and dedication to the art of drag (Vivien). We love you!”

As the remix of “You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)” filled the room, the actors walked and jumped on the pink carpet, showing off their charisma, uniqueness, courage and talent to the crowd.

With this year’s event scheduled months before Vivienne’s death, there was a tacit understanding of the emotional state of those attending RuPaul’s DragCon UK 2025.

In a note posted on the official “RuPaul’s DragCon” X/Twitter profile, event promoters and World of Wonder, the production company behind the Drag Race franchise, asked fans to respect those in attendance by kindly reminding them how they knew Vivienne and how executor those who with worked for her.

“As we spend this weekend together, we know many of us will want to celebrate Vivienne by sharing our condolences with her loved ones,” the post said.

“Please keep in mind,” it continues, “that we all perceive and experience grief in different ways, and some people may not be ready to talk about the loss of a loved one yet.”

The following post mentions a special memorial place at the convention for those feeling sympathy for The Vivienne and grief counselors from the LGBTQ+ Switchboard helpline who will be in attendance if needed.

“We can’t 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 pour in from former “Drag Race” contestants and other loved ones.

RuPaul’s Drag Race UK standout Bimini Bon Boulash took to X this week to praise 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 hardest parts of the human experience. Rest in peace.”

Publicist Simon Jones, whose clients were Vivienne and Bimini Bon Boulache, will write a lengthy article for Metro Great Britain after initially notifying fans of the artist’s death in a separate statement.

“What I’ll remember most are the amazing private moments where Viv made me laugh uncontrollably,” Jones recalled. “Sometimes we would go to lunch or dinner just to gossip and talk. That was the magic of Viva. They could walk into the room and it would light up with a presence that everyone could feel.’

One of the most emotional lines undoubtedly came from Buggy Chips, who competed against The Vivienne on the first ever RuPaul’s Drag Race UK.

In a carousel of images shared on Instagram, the runner-up sister called her fallen sister her family and best friend.

“You’ll always be Velma to my Louise and I’ll always talk to you before I go on stage for every show I do,” Baggs wrote, “because let’s face it, when you came on stage, you were in a daze by force Always there for me when I need you. My beautiful boy. My James. Our Viv”.

While RuPaul lovingly hosted the opening night of RuPaul’s DragCon 2025 this year, she felt that tough love was necessary for the way a former contestant shamed Vivienne hours after her death.

As reported on ExplosionJames Ross, who competed on the second season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” as Tyra Sanchez in 2010, took to X on Sunday to “soak” The Vivienne’s five-year-old comment.

“I bet Tyra was pissed when she realized Netflix screwed up the winner,” the late performer wrote, referring to the app releasing episodes ahead of their original schedule.

Ross, in turn, retweeted an old comment and replied: “But it doesn’t compare to crematorium smoke.”

After being criticized for her rudeness by fellow “RuPaul’s Drag Race” alums and fans, Mama Ru released a clip of her “slapping” Ross from the Season 2 cast, with the sound replaced by the infamous viral “Sharkeisha” video.