RuPaul’s Drag Race season 17 cast pose up a storm in London ahead of annual DragCon UK – following fears for hit show’s future after former champion The Vivienne’s shock death

The cast of RuPaul’s Drag Race season 17 showed up in London on Thursday, ahead of the fourth RuPaul’s DragCon UK this weekend.

The 14 new queens caused a stir at the luxurious Corinthia London hotel after the season premiere of the beloved reality series last week.

Looking nothing short of sensational were 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 appearance in the capital comes just days before RuPaul’s annual drag convention, which returns for its fourth year in the UK on Friday and Saturday at ExCel London.

However, legend RuPaul himself was not photographed with the cast as he continued to mourn the shocking loss of former champion The Vivienne.

The performer, whose real name was James Lee Williams, tragically died on Sunday at the age of 32, devastating fans and his fellow queens.

James’ distraught father found his son unconscious at home, with Cheshire Police saying officers were called to an address in Chorlton-by-Backford at 12.22pm on Sunday and in an update confirmed they had not found “suspicious circumstances.”

Viv, who used they pronouns, had been one of the breakout stars of the UK version of RuPaul’s Drag Race, winning the first series in 2019 with a successful combination of honesty, malicious put-downs and an excellent impersonation of Donald Trump.

The Mail revealed yesterday that the shocking tragedy has also put the future of Drag Race UK in doubt, with host RuPaul debating quitting the show.

The icon, 64, was said to be “absolutely devastated” by The Viv’s death and was “devastated” by the sudden loss.

Breaking his silence on The Vivienne’s death on Monday, RuPaul told his six million Instagram followers: “Heartbroken, I join the entire Drag Race universe in mourning the loss of The Vivienne, an incredibly queen. talented and a lovely human being.

Alongside the post was a photo of James, no longer in drag, posing next to his idol.

But the tragedy has weighed so heavily on RuPaul that he is now “seriously considering” stepping away from his duties as host of the show.

A friend of the star told the Mail: ‘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 up his own future. Ru is now seriously considering stepping down from hosting the UK franchise, which will always be associated with The Viv.

For some time now, RuPaul has confided to those close to him that his filming schedule is packed and that he “isn’t getting any younger.”

What’s more, he believes the show is in “good hands” with its co-presenters Michelle Visage, Alan Carr and Graham Norton.

But, without its namesake host, fans of the show will surely wonder how long it can continue, if at all.

Meanwhile, RuPaul and her best friend and co-host Michelle, 56, are said to be planning a “very special tribute” to The Viv at DragCon this weekend, to “celebrate and not just mourn” the performer.

There will also be a memorial stand on the ‘pink’ carpet where attendees can pay tribute, with one insider saying: ‘They want to fill the room with love.’

Thousands of people are expected to attend the convention, the largest in the UK, and RuPaul will travel 5,000 miles from his Beverly Hills mansion to London to attend with Michelle by his side.

American singer Michelle, who is a key pillar of the UK drag scene, was a close friend of The Vivienne and is expected to take the reins of Drag Race if RuPaul quits.

In a tribute to The Vivienne this week, she wrote: ‘Your laugh, your wit, your talent, your drag. I loved everything but I loved your friendship most of all. You were a lighthouse for many.

‘I am the lucky one to have met you and to have laughed with you so many times. I love you my love.”

James adopted The Vivienne as a drag name out of love for Vivienne Westwood’s clothes and had been on the verge of a superstar career.

TV bosses hoped to make The Vivienne the next Lily Savage, the alter ego of the late Paul O’Grady, due to both stars’ quick wit and their Liverpool roots.

And two weeks before her death, the artist had appeared as a panelist on Blankety Blank, the game show on which Lily Savage became famous.

Viv was also in the shortlist for the new series of Celebrity Big Brother in March after coming third on last year’s Dancing on Ice.

While last year they made a critically acclaimed West End debut, starring as the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz and the Dreamcatcher in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.