The “Drag Race” alum crudely joked about Vivienne’s death

alum”RuPaul’s Drag Race” was widely condemned for crude comments on the sudden and tragic death of the first ever winner “RuPaul’s Drag Race UK“, Vivien.

Former contestant James Ross, who appeared in the second season of the US series as Tyra Sanchez, reignited the feud with the late entertainer five years after their previous interaction on social media – and hours after Vivienne’s death was publicly announced.

As fans mourned the loss of The Vivienne, born James Lee Williams, Ross took the moment to respond to a message on X (formerly Twitter) from the late drag artist dated July 27, 2020.

“I bet Tyra was pissed when she realized Netflix ruined the win too,” The Vivienne wrote, noting that the streaming app “RuPaul’s Drag Race UK” was released earlier in the first few seasons (episodes debut on Netflix via a week after it aired on BBC Three). ).

“Sorry girl,” they added, “but you tried.”

Ross then retweeted The Vivienne’s comment early Sunday evening with a dark response of his own.

“But it doesn’t compare to the smoke of a crematorium.”

After a flurry of other miserable comments, Ross doubled down on their negativity.

“She is dead. Rotting, – he continued. “Sending me all the hate in the world won’t bring it back. But do the right thing. Thanks to you (all of you), the tweet reached more than 25,000 people. Thank you for the much needed attention that I, oh, so needed.’

Almost immediately after their publication, Ross’ words were met with a barrage of criticism from The Vivienne’s fan base and other “RuPaul’s Drag Race” stars.

“You are disgusting,” wrote one user of social networks, trans Daily Mail. “Shame on you.”

Season 2 contestant Tatiana, who later competed on RuPaul’s Drag Race All-Stars Season 2, will seems to answer to Ross’s rudeness by not marking them, though the intention remained clear.

“For some reason she got even worse,” shares Tatiana, relating their time together on the series.

However, Candy Muse, a season 13 fan favorite and recent contestant on E!’s House of Villains , took aim at Ross, vowing to get physical revenge on Vivienne.

“I’ve protected you for years,” Muse shot at Ross, “but now you might as well go fuck yourself. (If) our (paths) ever cross, it’s absolutely obvious.”

“That’s not a threat,” Muse added, “that’s a promise, you disgusting human.”

To which Ross replied: “Threat received. Prepare your funeral.”

Like The Vivienne, Ross rose to fame by winning the crown on “RuPaul’s Drag Race” in 2010 as Tyra Sanchez, beating out 11 other contestants to become “America’s Next Drag Superstar.”

Since then, Ross’ status as an entertainer has weathered several storms, including controversies and arrests that reportedly led to him becoming persona non grata at World of Wonder, the production company behind “RuPaul’s Drag Race.”

In 2019, a year after posting a countdown on his website that mentioned possible violence at DragCon 2018 in New York, Ross issued an apology, blaming his actions on the “judgment, criticism and judgment” he received during and after appearing on the popular reality show. competition series.

“Many times I’ve spoken without thinking things through,” Ross wrote in a lengthy message to X that has since been deleted. Weirdness. “I reacted out of fear and anger. Ignoring the fact that I was wrong, I unleashed my anger on everyone who crossed me.’

He will retire from drag in 2020 — the same year he released Raven’s private number as runner-up on RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 2. He has since rebooted his alter ego, albeit exclusively on OnlyFans.

Outpourings of love and tributes to Vivienne from amazing performers in the Drag Race world and beyond continue to pour in on social media.

“Rue’s Mom” ​​herself, Ru Paul, paid tribute to her late daughter with a short but touching Instagram post early Monday.

Ru shares, “It is with a broken heart that I join the entire Drag Race universe in mourning the loss of Vivienne – an incredibly talented queen and a wonderful person.”

RuPaul’s Drag Race UK series four winner Danny Bird added under RuPaul’s message: “You meant the world to her!”

English drag personality Myra Dubois, who once appeared on Britain’s Got Talent, also had her say on The Vivienne via Instagramand claimed that despite their fame, they often faced homophobia and other hateful comments online.

“I don’t know how Vivienne left us, and I will respect (the family’s) request for privacy without trying to find out,” DuBois noted, “(but) I do know … she was bombarded with a lot of homophobic abuse.”

“You can’t just post how sad you are when LGBTQ+ people die,” they continued. “I want you to ask if you are doing everything you can to keep all LGBTQ+ people alive.”

Our hearts continue to go out to The Vivienne’s friends, family and fans at this sad time.