All posts tagged: drag

The Vivienne: Inquest opened into death of RuPaul’s Drag Race star | Ents & Arts News

The Vivienne: Inquest opened into death of RuPaul’s Drag Race star | Ents & Arts News

Further investigation is needed into the death of RuPaul’s Drag Race star The Vivienne, a coroner has said, after postmortem testing revealed an “unnatural” cause. The body of James Lee Williams, who performed as the drag queen, was found at their home in Chorlton-by-Backford, near Chester, on Sunday 5 January. Cheshire Coroner’s Court in Warrington opened an inquest at a short hearing on Wednesday. Williams, 32, was found in their bathroom, the court heard. Police attended and confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances. Coroner’s officer Amanda Edgar said postmortem testing had taken place and identified “an unnatural cause of death”. Williams was identified by their father, the court heard. Area coroner Victoria Davies said: “Given the unnatural cause of death identified on postmortem testing it is appropriate for me to formally open the inquest into the death of James Lee Williams.” Further investigations are required, she said, and the case was adjourned for a full inquest, set for 30 June. Williams, who grew up in Colwyn Bay, North Wales, before moving to Liverpool, won the …

The Vivienne: Former RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner dies at 32 | Ents & Arts News

The Vivienne: Former RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner dies at 32 | Ents & Arts News

Former RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner James Lee Williams, known as The Vivienne, has died at the age of 32. In a statement, a spokesperson said: “It is with immense sadness that we let you know our beloved James Lee Williams – The Vivienne, has passed this weekend. “James was an incredibly loved, warm-hearted and amazing person. “Their family are heartbroken at the loss of their son, brother and uncle. 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.” RuPaul’s Drag Race judge Michelle Visage said she was “utterly heartbroken” by the news. Sharing photos of herself with The Vivienne, she said: “I don’t know how to say how I feel. My darling @thevivienne_ we go back to when I started coming over here to the UK. “You were always there, always laughing, always giving, always on point. Your laughter, your wit, …

S7, Ep7: Bimini, drag queen | Life and style

S7, Ep7: Bimini, drag queen | Life and style

This week, Grace is joined by east London’s plant-based princess Bimini who shot to fame in 2021, after the second season of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, where they captivated the BBC audience with quippy one liners, high fashion runway looks, and death drops. Although Bimini didn’t snatch the crown, they remain the most-followed UK contestant. Since filming the show, Bimini has released several singles and a book, signed modelling contracts and become a mainstay at fashion shows around the world. The question still remains: what is this British drag icon eating when the knee-high 10-inch heels are off? How to listen to podcasts: everything you need to know Source link

New single-sex toilets rule ‘a distraction technique that targets trans people’, says drag queen | UK News

New single-sex toilets rule ‘a distraction technique that targets trans people’, says drag queen | UK News

The government’s proposal to make single-sex toilets mandatory in new bars, restaurants, offices, and shopping centres is a “distraction technique that targets trans people”, a drag queen has said.  Crystal, a Canadian-British drag performer who featured on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, told Sky News the legislation is to distract people from a “flailing government”. “I don’t think this policy will do anything to protect anyone. There’s no evidence to suggest that mixed bathrooms are inherently more unsafe than sex-segregated ones,” the 38-year-old said. Image: Crystal told Sky News that the government’s new policy won’t “do anything to protect anyone”. “Meanwhile, there’s a lot of compelling evidence that shows that lots of people are made more unsafe by having only sex-segregated toilets. “People like trans teenagers, but I’m also thinking about cis[gender] people who are gender non-conforming, who don’t necessarily pass as the gender they were assigned at birth,” he added. “These are the people who are going to suffer when we start really policing people’s sex before they go to the toilet.” Crystal also said …

“There is nothing sexual about what I do – I’m a classy lady”: Latrice Royale champions drag queens

“There is nothing sexual about what I do – I’m a classy lady”: Latrice Royale champions drag queens

More than 12 years after her dazzling breakout performance in season four of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” Latrice Royale is easily one of the most influential drag queens. She’s performed all over the country, had a Las Vegas residency and starred in the fourth season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars.” Latrice’s latest project is co-hosting Season 4 of “We’re Here” on HBO Max. Beyond her playful, bright eyeshadow and bold personality, Latrice was eager to talk about why being a drag queen is deeply important to her life’s work when I sat down with her on “Salon Talks.” “I owe everything to this art form,” she shared. “I wouldn’t be sitting here without this art form. I was able to regain my power through the art of drag.” As someone with early roots in the church, Latrice now calls drag her “ministry.” And it’s something she’s fighting to keep doing no matter what. “I will defend it to the end,” Latrice said. During this season of “We’re Here,” the queens travel to towns where anti-drag …

Patrick Swayze was ‘difficult’ to work with on drag queen movie, says John Leguizamo

Patrick Swayze was ‘difficult’ to work with on drag queen movie, says John Leguizamo

Get our free weekly email for all the latest cinematic news from our film critic Clarisse Loughrey Get our The Life Cinematic email for free John Leguizamo has cast aspersions on Patrick Swayze’s reputation as an “angel” in the film industry. The straight-shooting actor worked with Swayze on 1995 film To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar, in which they played drag queens alongside Wesley Snipes, and Leguizamo reflected on the “very important film” in a new interview. When SiriusXM host Andy Cohen asked Leguizamo about working with the late Swayze, who died in 2009 of pancreatic cancer aged 57, the actor didn’t hold back. In response to Cohen, who said, “All I hear about Patrick Swayze was just what an absolute angel he was,” Leguizamo told the host: “Hmm, that’s different than what I experienced.” The actor claimed that Swayze worried about peoples’ perception of him, adding: “Rest in peace, I love him. He was just neurotic. And I’m neurotic too, but I don’t know, he was just – it was difficult working …

George Santos revives previously denied drag persona for cash-grabbing Cameo videos

George Santos revives previously denied drag persona for cash-grabbing Cameo videos

Disgraced former Congressman George Santos is back with a new cash grab: online drag. The shelved drag persona, Kitara Ravache — with which Santos once denied any connection — joined the ranks this week on video platform Cameo, where users can commission messages from public figures. Videos starring Ravache run prospective buyers $275 for an averaging-53-seconds-long greeting. “Hey, you messy bit**es,” Santos says in one video. “Kitara is coming out of the closet after 18 years, thanks to all of you.” In a post to X (formerly Twitter), Santos makes a promise to share 20% of proceeds with pro-veteran and Zionist charities Tunnel to Towers and the International Fellowship for Christians and Jews. Though his dubious history with charities, including an incident where he allegedly stole $3,000 from a fund for a disabled veteran’s dog, may inspire doubt. In addresses to paying clients, Santos dons the signature red lipstick and feather boa that previously caused so much controversy, offering advice to some, including to partying friends of “Dave.” “I hear you’re a bunch of little freaks out there, and you …

‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Taiwanese winner says the word China hates

‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Taiwanese winner says the word China hates

TAIPEI, Taiwan —  To hundreds of thousands of fans around the world who watched this season’s finale of the hit reality show “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” the final plea for victory from one of the contestants wasn’t especially memorable. “It would mean a lot to be the first East Asian queen to win the crown and to be able to represent my country,” said the Taiwanese drag queen known as Nymphia Wind, who minutes later got her wish. It was a single word in that sentence — “country” — that became a source of delight in Taiwan. In deference to China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory, all but a handful of countries refuse to recognize the island democracy as a sovereign nation. But to many who live there, it was a proud moment to hear one of their own refer to Taiwan as a country in its own right before a global audience. Plane Jane, from left, Sapphira Cristal, Nymphia Wind and Jimbo speak onstage at RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 16 Finale Screening Event. …

The Latina queens of Season 9 of ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars’

The Latina queens of Season 9 of ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars’

Keep your engines running, squirrel friends! Paramount+ and World of Wonder announced on Tuesday the drag queens competing in Season 9 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars.” Among the eight returning contestants are Latina queens Jorgeous, Roxxxy Andrews and Vanessa Vanjie Mateo. The cast ruveal comes days after the Season 16 finale of “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” Latinidad was on full display in the latest iteration of the reality competition, which had five Latinas vying for the crown. The season also featured pop star Becky G and “Lopez vs. Lopez” series creator and actor Mayan Lopez as guest judges. For the first time in drag herstory, “All Stars” contestants will be competing for a chance to donate the $200,000 grand prize to the charity of the winner’s choosing, provided by the Palette Fund. Here’s a quick primer on the Latina queens that will be featured in Season 9 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars,” which premieres May 17 on Paramount+. Jorgeous The diminutive Mexican American queen from San Antonio quickly became a Season 14 fan favorite …

RuPaul’s Drag Race contestant Nymphia Wind’s win sparks celebrations in Taiwan

RuPaul’s Drag Race contestant Nymphia Wind’s win sparks celebrations in Taiwan

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Nymphia Wind has sparked celebrations in Taiwan and won praise from the island’s president after becoming the first Taiwanese and East Asian drag queen to win RuPaul’s Drag Race. Wind, who is also the first non-American to win the crown, was congratulated by president Tsai Ing-Wen and incoming president Lai Ching-te. Wind, the drag persona of designer Leo Tsao, 28, was declared the winner as the 16th season of the Emmy award-winning drag queen reality competition came to a close on Saturday. For Taiwan, Wind’s win is significant. It’s not just Wind’s personal triumph, but also a cultural milestone. The country doesn’t have a United Nations membership, competes under a “Chinese Taipei” flag at the Olympics, and only has 11 diplomatic allies. Taiwan’s capital Taipei hosts Asia’s largest Pride march in October and last year even Lai participated, becoming the most senior government leader ever to march at …