Baga Chipz has called for RuPaul’s Drag Race UK to be scrapped and replaced with ‘re-runs of The Vivienne’ to honor the late star
Baga Chipz has sparked quite the conversation by suggesting RuPaul’s Drag Race UK should stop casting new queens.
Instead, the famous drag artist proposes an ongoing tribute to The Vivienne – whose real name was James Lee Williams – by airing her best bits on repeat. Baga, who is 35 and participated in the first season of the BBC show with The Vivienne in 2019, feels that honoring the inaugural winner, who tragically passed away on January 5th at the age of 32, could be best served by showcasing memorable moments of her time on the series.
Chatting up a storm with BANG Showbiz at RuPaul’s DragCon UK held at ExCel London, Baga expressed: “I think we should not have any more drag queens on Drag Race [UK] anymore and just have re-runs of The Vivienne. That would be so much better. We should just watch that.”
Known offstage as Leo Loren, the star of Ackley Bridge fondly recalled her tight-knit relationship with “The Wizard of Oz” pantomime legend—the forever crown jewel in Baga’s own constellation of stars.
In a touching nod to her friend, Baga reminisced: “She was so fabulous … She was amazing. Incredible. What you saw, she had the look. Some people have the look or they have the charisma and all that and the talent. I would say I’m quite charismatic, and I’m quite comedic and all that, and I’ve got that side – but she had it all.”
“However, on the season, we were both c–p at dancing. She – because she was tall and statuesque and looked so gorgeous – people would be like, ‘Oh, she’s a bit intimidating,’ but then she would open her gob, and she would do anything for anyone. With me, she would be like, ‘Baga, your makeup looks like s***, come here,'” Baga said.
“She would always help me and on Drag Race [UK], we always sat next to each other and did our makeup, and we’d always have a fag together. You meet people in life, and you just gel. I was very lucky on my season because we all got on, but Viv and I were just a bit more – you have your favorites, don’t you?” the star continued, “I had all the cigarettes and she had none – so she had to be friends with me!”
A spokesperson for The Vivienne took to social media on January 5, to confirm the shattering news that The Vivienne had died. In a statement, they said: “It is with immense sadness that we let you know our beloved James Lee Williams – The Vivienne, has passed this weekend,” reports the Mirror.
“James was an incredibly loved, warm- hearted and amazing person. Their family are heartbroken at the loss of their son, brother and uncle,” the statement continued, “They are so proud of the wonderful things James achieved in their life and career. We will not be releasing any further details. We please ask that James’s family are given the time and privacy they now need to process and grieve.”
