RuPaul’s Drag Race alum Tyra Sanchez has been criticized for making a joke about the death of James Lee Williams, better known as The Vivienne.
The backlash was sparked when Tyra, formerly known as King Tyra and whose birth name was James Ross, took to X on Sunday, January 5, to respond to a 2020 tweet from The Vivienne that discussed Tyra, 36. Tyra’s joke was posted the same day that The Vivienne’s death was confirmed by their manager, Simon Jones, via Instagram.
The Vivienne’s 2020 tweet read, “Bet Tyra was fuming when she Realised Netflix Spoiled the win Too. Sorry gal. You Tried though,” to which Tyra replied on Sunday with, “Yet it doesn’t compare to the fumes of the crematorium.”
Fellow drag queen Kandy Muse, whose real name is Kevin Gabriel Candalario, responded to Tyra’s post, “I’ve defended you for years but now you can absolutely go f— yourself and if our path were to ever cross it’s absolutely on sight bitch, it’s not a threat it’s a promise. you disgusting person.”
‘Drag Race’ Star James Lee Williams, Known as ‘The Vivienne,’ Dead at 32
Another X user commented, “You are disgusting … Shame on you,” and another wrote, “this was very twisted. As someone who used to admire you, this is so coldhearted and disappointing.”
The widespread criticism did nothing to dampen Tyra’s stance, however, as Tyra posted later that evening, “She’s dead. Rotting. Sending me all the hate in the world won’t bring her back. But you do as you must. Because of you the tweet has reached over 25k individuals. Thanks for the much needed attention that I oh so desperately needed.”
The Vivienne’s death shocked fans of the show who had followed the drag queen’s career path closely after they won the inaugural Drag Race UK series in 2019. Jones’ Instagram announcement on Sunday read, “It is with immense sadness that we let you know our beloved James Lee Williams — The Vivienne, has passed this weekend. James was an incredibly loved, warm-hearted and amazing person. Their family are heartbroken at the loss of their son, brother and uncle.” The Vivienne was 32.
A cause of death has not yet been revealed.
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In a follow-up statement regarding The Vivienne’s death, also shared via Jones’ Instagram account, Jones shared a more personal reaction to the news, writing that The Vivienne was more than a client — they were a friend.
Kandy Muse, who was the runner-up on season 13 of Drag Race, shared their own tribute to The Vivienne via Instagram on Sunday. “you f—ing rockstar, you angel. I am in utter shock, devastated and absolutely heartbroken, one of the sweetest person I’ve ever gotten to meet and spend time with – you kept me up while I was at my lowest in life on tour with your bright energy and smile, I’ll miss you friend. rest easy you beauty. 
I love you @thevivienne_.”
