Liverpool to honour The Vivienne with permanent statue celebrating LGBTQ+ icon and TV trailblazer

Liverpool is set to honour one of its most celebrated LGBTQ+ stars with a permanent life-size statue of James Lee Williams, better known around the world as The Vivienne.

The tribute has been announced by House of The Vivienne CIC, founded by James’ family, alongside LGBTQ+ organisation Proudly Said. Plans reveal the statue will stand at the entrance to Liverpool’s Pride Quarter, at the junction of Victoria Street and Stanley Street, creating a lasting place of remembrance in the city that helped shape The Vivienne’s career.

The announcement comes more than a year after James died in January 2025 at the age of 32 following struggles with addiction. Alongside celebrating an extraordinary career, the project also aims to encourage conversations around addiction, mental health and ensuring people know they are not alone.

James’ sister, Chanel Williams, said the family believes the statue is the right way to ensure The Vivienne’s legacy lives on. She said it would also serve as a reminder that anyone facing similar struggles should reach out for support, adding that this was a message James believed in throughout life.

For many people, The Vivienne represented far more than a television personality. Becoming the first ever winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK in 2019 transformed James into one of Britain’s biggest drag stars and helped bring drag performance into millions of living rooms across the country.

That landmark victory opened the door to an impressive television career. The Vivienne later competed internationally on RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars, appeared on Dancing on Ice, took part in Saturday Night Takeaway, performed in London’s West End and even made a guest appearance in Emmerdale, showing an ability to move effortlessly between drag, entertainment and mainstream television.

The Vivienne’s sharp wit, memorable impersonations and unmistakable Scouse humour helped win over audiences well beyond the LGBTQ+ community. Their Donald Trump performance during the iconic Snatch Game remains one of the most talked-about moments in Drag Race history and is still regularly celebrated by fans of the franchise.

Before becoming a household name, James grew up in North Wales before moving to Liverpool as a teenager. Performing regularly across the city’s bars and clubs, particularly around the Pride Quarter, The Vivienne became synonymous with Liverpool’s vibrant LGBTQ+ nightlife long before television fame arrived.

Project lead John Hyland said the statue is about much more than recognising an individual. He described it as a lasting tribute that will also become a place of comfort, reflection and conversation, while helping highlight the importance of continued investment in Liverpool’s Pride Quarter and its LGBTQ+ community.

Hyland also spoke about The Vivienne’s warmth and generosity, saying James had a unique ability to make everyone feel welcome, whether cameras were present or not. He believes the statue will stand as a guardian of the community and continue the compassion that defined James’ life.

Initial funding has already been secured through Liverpool Business Improvement District, allowing the campaign to begin officially before wider community fundraising gets underway.

Bill Addy, Chief Executive of Liverpool Business Improvement District, said Liverpool has always celebrated the people who shape its culture and believes The Vivienne deserves to be remembered as one of those figures. Supporters hope the tribute will become both a landmark for visitors and a lasting celebration of one of the city’s most influential modern LGBTQ+ icons.

The proposed statue also reflects how significantly LGBTQ+ representation on British television has evolved over the past decade. As the first winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, The Vivienne helped introduce drag culture to a mainstream audience while inspiring countless performers and viewers to embrace authenticity, confidence and self-expression.

Although remembered for glamorous looks and unforgettable television moments, James’ legacy also includes kindness, humour and a willingness to speak openly about difficult subjects. By combining celebration with awareness, supporters hope the statue will honour both the performer audiences adored and the person behind the stage persona.

The Vivienne’s life-size statue is planned for Liverpool’s Pride Quarter, with fundraising now beginning to help bring the permanent tribute to life.

For anyone affected by the issues raised in this article, support is available through organisations including FRANK, Turning Point and local addiction services.

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