RuPaul broke his silence in public for the first time since The Vivienne’s death when he opened DragCon UK at the ExCel London on Friday.
The death of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner last week at the age of 32 has plunged the drag community into mourning.
RuPaul, 64, who discovered the Welsh-born artist on the first series of his hit BBC show, looked visibly excited with his best friend Michelle Visage by his side.
He told the DragCon UK audience: “We’re here to celebrate life and love and spread it.” We want to focus on love.’
‘Let’s remember our dear Vivienne with love and life, because that’s what she was and she would love for them to live their lives and be free and have a lot of fun and spread it.’
Organizers have installed a memorial wall and commemorative books where the thousands of fans expected to attend the event over the weekend can remember the late artist who won the show’s UK series in 2019.
RuPaul broke his silence in public for the first time since The Vivienne’s death when he opened DragCon UK at the ExCel London on Friday.
The death of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner last week at the age of 32 has sent the drag community into mourning.
Some of the heartfelt messages read: ‘The UK winner’s circle has lost its crown jewel! I love you and I will never forget you.’
While others said: ‘Thank you for sharing your love and light with us’: ‘You will be missed’: ‘You made such a big impact on so many people’s lives, rest in peace’: ‘Thank you Viv for sharing your smile, talent and light’ .
It comes as RuPaul is weighing up his future on the BBC show which has been airing since 2019.
Friends have said RuPaul was “absolutely devastated” by The Viv’s death and has disagreed about the sudden loss.
The tragedy has weighed so heavily on the presenter that he is now “seriously considering” stepping down from his duties as host of the show.
A friend of the star said: ‘This has come like a bolt from the blue for Ru. Vivienne was one of his brightest stars and everyone knows the weakness he had for them. He was absolutely devastated by her passing and is now weighing his own future.
“Ru is now seriously considering stepping down from hosting the UK franchise, which will always be associated with The Viv.”
Sources said the American drag queen has confided in those close to her that her filming schedule is full and she is “not getting any younger” and believes the show is in “good hands” with her co-hosts Michelle Visage, Alan Carr and Graham Norton.
Organizers have installed a memorial wall and commemorative books where the thousands of fans expected to attend the event over the weekend can remember the late artist.