EXCLUSIVE: The team behind Drag Race is making Dear Viv, a documentary celebrating the life and legacy of James Lee Williams, AKA British drag icon The Vivienne.
Williams was found dead in their bathroom this January. An inquest into their death has been adjourned until June.
World of Wonder is producing Dear Viv with the blessing of Williams’ family and friends. It will have archive footage and intimate interviews with loved ones and fellow Drag Race contestants Baga Chipz, Michael Marouli & Danny Beard, as well as excerpts of personal letters from fans.
The Vivienne won the first-ever series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK in 2019 and made many appearances on stage and screen, including in RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars in 2022 as well as ITV competition show Dancing On Ice in 2023. In theater, The Vivienne played the Wicked Witch of the West in a 2024 touring production of The Wizard of Oz.
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The doc will launch later this year on WOW Presents Plus, the streaming service set up by World of Wonder.
The film traces Williams’ journey from humble beginnings in North Wales to their meteoric rise on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK. The producers said they wanted to showcase their unbreakable spirit and quickfire wit and talent, which came to define them.
The World of Wonder team added that the documentary aims to be more than just a celebration of a successful career, but will also honor The Vivienne’s impact on the drag community and beyond.
“We want to celebrate The Vivienne’s extraordinary life and work so everyone can experience her incredible talent, sass and enormous heart,” said Randy Barbato and Fenton Bailey, Co-Founders of World of Wonder and Executive Producers of the film.
“Although her stay here on Earth was far too brief it is with tremendous admiration and affection that we share her legacy in Dear Viv.”
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