Tyra Sanchez, the American drag star who was widely condemned after making inflammatory comments about the sudden death of fellow drag artist James Lee Williams, better known as The Vivienne, has caused a stir with a new highly insensitive social media post.
The Vivienne, who won the first series of reality TV show RuPaul’s Drag Race UK in 2019, died this weekend at the age of 32.
As the news caused an outpouring of grief from fans, Sanchez, winner of the US version of the program in 2010, took to social media to reignite a social media feud with The Vivienne from almost five years earlier .
Resharing a tweet The Vivienne posted in July 2020, in which the star wrote, “Bet Tyra was furious when she realized Netflix had spoiled the win too. Sorry girl. But you tried,” Sanchez added, “Still, it doesn’t compare to the fumes from the crematorium.”
Receiving criticism from fans and fellow drag stars alike, Sanchez was unrepentant, writing on social media the next day: ‘She’s dead. Rotting. Sending me all the hate in the world won’t bring her back. But do what you have to do.
‘Thanks to you, the tweet reached more than 25,000 people. Thank you for the much-needed attention I so desperately needed.”
And despite further criticism, with I owned a crematorium. .’
The image was supported by the Alicia Keys hit Girl on Fire.
The Vivienne, who won the first series of reality TV show RuPaul’s Drag Race UK in 2019, died this weekend at the age of 32.
Sanchez’s latest tweet was met with anger by
Sanchez’s social media post is the latest in a series of insensitive comments the drag star (pictured) has made since the death of fellow performer The Vivienne last weekend
Social media users reacted furiously again, variously labeling Sanchez as “disgusting,” “despicable” and “sad.”
“You are so fucking disgusting,” one user wrote under the post.
“How sad that you once had queen status and now you’re just a despicable vagabond hungry for a pathetic show, laaaaame,” another wrote.
A third added: “Girl you were too scared to answer when the Vivienne was still alive so you had to clap back after they were over? You’re sad, get a life.’
RuPaul led a wave of tributes to The Vivienne after her death was announced on Sunday by the artist’s publicist, Simon Jones.
“She will be dearly missed, but her legacy will live on as a beacon of creativity and authenticity – she embodied what it means to be a true champion,” he wrote on X. “Our thoughts go out to her family and fans during this period. difficult time.’
In an update on Monday, a spokesperson for Cheshire Police said officers were called to an address in Chorlton-by-Backford at 12.22am on Sunday following reports of a sudden death.
“Police attended the scene, investigated the circumstances surrounding the death of the 32-year-old man and concluded that there were no suspicious circumstances,” a police spokesperson said. “A file will be prepared for the coroner.”
Williams, whose drag name The Vivienne was rooted in a love of fashion designer Vivienne Westwood, first turned heads in 2015 as the British drag ambassador for the American version of RuPaul’s Drag Race.
Four years later, Williams won the first UK edition of the show and later appeared in series seven RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars. The drag artist also finished third in the final of Dancing on Ice in 2023.
Other career milestones came with appearances in a touring production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and a role as the Wicked Witch of the West in the Wizard of Oz.
“I love Vivienne Westwood and when I moved to Liverpool everyone called me Vivienne because I was in Westwood from head to toe,” The Vivienne explained in 2019.
‘My style is like a Scouse woman who came into money, moved to LA and ruined it all, then had to move back to Liverpool.’
Vivienne’s death was announced by Jones on Sunday.
“It is with immense sadness that we let you know that our beloved James Lee Williams – The Vivienne, passed away this weekend,” Jones wrote.
“James was an incredibly loved, warm-hearted and wonderful person. Their family is heartbroken over the loss of their son, brother and uncle. They are so proud of the wonderful things James has accomplished in their lives and careers.
‘We are not releasing any further details. We please ask that James’ family be given the time and privacy they need at this time to process and grieve.”