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Remembering The Vivienne, 'RuPaul’s Drag Race UK' winner and musical theater star

03:22

Elizabeth Blair, NPR

January 09, 2025

The Vivienne poses for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film 'Wicked' on Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, in London. (Millie Turner/Invision/AP)

James Lee Williams was best known as The Vivienne, a drag queen who competed in the British TV show "Dancing on Ice," starred in musical theater in London, and won the very first season of "RuPaul’s Drag Race UK." He was 32.

NPR’s Elizabeth Blair reports.

This segment aired on January 9, 2025.

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