The forged of RuPaul’s Drag Race season 17 took on London on Thursday, forward of the fourth RuPaul’s DragCon UK this weekend.
The 14 new queens posed up a storm at luxurious resort Corinthia London, after their season of the beloved actuality collection premiered final week.
Trying nothing wanting sensational had been new stars Arrietty, Joella, Jewels Sparkles, Lexi Love, Lana Ja’Rae, Sam Star, Kori King, Lydia B Kollins, Hormona Lisa, Suzie Toot, Acacia Forgot, Crystal Envy and Onya Nurve.
The group’s look within the capital comes simply days forward of RuPaul’s annual drag conference, which is returning for its fourth yr within the UK on Friday and Saturday at ExCel London.
Nevertheless, the legend himself RuPaul, was not pictured with the forged as he continued to grieve the stunning lack of former champion The Vivienne.
The performer, whose actual identify was James Lee Williams, tragically died on Sunday on the age of 32, devastating followers and their fellow queens.
The forged of RuPaul’s Drag Race season 17 took on London on Thursday, forward of the fourth RuPaul’s DragCon UK this weekend (Arrietty, Joella, Jewels Sparkles, Lexi Love, Lana Ja’Rae, Sam Star, Kori King, Lydia B Kollins, Hormona Lisa, Suzie Toot, Acacia Forgot, Crystal Envy and Onya Nurve L-R)
Nevertheless, the legend himself RuPaul, was not pictured with the forged as he continued to grieve the stunning lack of former champion The Vivienne (pictured collectively at 2020 DragCon UK)
The 14 new queens posed up a storm at luxurious resort Corinthia London, after their season of the beloved actuality collection premiered final week.
James’ distraught father discovered his son unresponsive at residence, with Cheshire Police stating officers had been referred to as to an handle in Chorlton-by-Backford at 12.22pm on Sunday and in an replace, confirmed that they had discovered ‘no suspicious circumstances’.
The Viv, who used they/them pronouns, had been one of many breakout stars of the UK model of RuPaul’s Drag Race, successful the primary collection in 2019 with a profitable mixture of honesty, catty putdowns and a very good impersonation of Donald Trump.
The Mail revealed yesterday that the stunning tragedy has additionally forged doubt of the way forward for Drag Race UK, with host RuPaul debating stepping again from the present.
The icon, 64, was stated to be ‘completely devastated’ by The Viv’s dying and has been ‘in bits’ in regards to the sudden loss.
Breaking his silence on The Vivienne’s dying on Monday, RuPaul informed his six million Instagram followers: ‘With a damaged coronary heart, I be part of the complete Drag Race universe in mourning the lack of The Vivienne – an extremely proficient queen and a stunning human being.’
Alongside the submit was a throwback picture of James, out of drag, and posing subsequent to his idol.
However, the tragedy has weighed so closely on RuPaul that he’s now ‘severely contemplating’ stepping away from his internet hosting duties on the present.
A buddy of the star informed the Mail: ‘This has come like a bolt out of the blue for Ru. The Vivienne was one in every of his brightest stars and everybody is aware of what a delicate spot he had for them.
The group’s look within the capital comes simply days forward of RuPaul’s annual drag conference, which is returning for its fourth yr within the UK on Friday and Saturday at ExCel London
The Vivienne, whose actual identify was James Lee Williams , tragically died on Sunday on the age of 32, devastating followers and their fellow queens (pictured in 2023)
The Viv, who used they/them pronouns, had been one of many breakout stars of the UK model of Drag Race, successful the primary collection in 2019 with a profitable mixture of honesty, catty putdowns and a very good impersonation of Donald Trump (pictured on Dancing On Ice)
The Mail revealed yesterday that the stunning tragedy has additionally forged doubt of the way forward for Drag Race UK, with host RuPaul debating stepping again from the present as he’s ‘completely devastated’ and has been ‘in bits’ in regards to the sudden loss (pictured in September)
‘He has been left completely devastated by their passing and is now weighing up his personal future. Ru is now severely contemplating standing down from internet hosting the UK franchise, which is able to all the time be related to The Viv.’
For a while RuPaul has confided in these near him that his filming schedule is packed and he ‘isn’t getting any youthful’.
What’s extra, he believes the present is in ‘good fingers’ together with his co-presenters Michelle Visage, Alan Carr and Graham Norton.
However, with out its eponymous host, followers of the present are certain to query how lengthy it may possibly proceed – if in any respect.
In the meantime, RuPaul and finest buddy and co-host Michelle, 56, are stated to planning a ‘very particular tribute’ to The Viv at DragCon this weekend, to ‘have fun and never simply mourn’ the performer.
There may even be a memorial sales space on the ‘pink’ carpet the place attendees will pay tribute, with an insider saying: ‘They need to fill the room with love’.
Hundreds are anticipated to attend the conference – the largest within the UK – with RuPaul travelling 5,000 miles from his Beverly Hills mansion to London to attend with Michelle at his aspect.
American singer Michelle, who’s a key pillar of the UK drag scene, was a detailed buddy of The Vivienne and is predicted to take the reins of Drag Race if RuPaul steps down.
Breaking his silence on The Vivienne’s dying on Monday, RuPaul shared throwback picture of James, out of drag, and posing subsequent to his idol (pictured left)
However, the tragedy has weighed so closely on RuPaul that he’s now ‘severely contemplating’ stepping away from his internet hosting duties on the present (pictured on collection one)
In the meantime, RuPaul and finest buddy and co-host Michelle, 56, are stated to planning a ‘very particular tribute’ to The Viv at DragCon this weekend, to ‘have fun and never simply mourn’ the performer (Michelle pictured at DragCon UK 2024)
In a tribute to The Vivienne this week, she wrote: ‘Your laughter, your wit, your expertise, your drag. I beloved all of it however I beloved your friendship most of all. You had been a beacon to so many.
‘I’m the fortunate one to have recognized you and to have laughed along with you so many instances. I really like you my darling.’
James adopted The Vivienne as a drag identify from a love of Vivienne Westwood clothes and had been on the verge of a celebrity profession.
TV chiefs hoped to make The Vivienne the following Lily Savage, the alter ego of the late Paul O’Grady, as a consequence of each stars’ fast wit and Liverpudlian roots.
And than two weeks earlier than their dying, the artist had appeared as a panellist on Blankety Clean – the sport present on which Lily Savage turned well-known.
The Viv was additionally being lined up for the brand new collection of Superstar Huge Brother in March after coming third on final yr’s Dancing on Ice.
Whereas final yr, they made a critically acclaimed debut within the West Finish, performing because the Depraved Witch of the West within the Wizard of Oz and the Childcatcher in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
