RuPaul’s Drag Race contestant Tyra Sanchez has come under fire after sharing a series of ‘twisted’ posts after the tragic death of The Vivienne.
The Vivienne, whose real name was James Lee Williams, tragically died on Sunday, January 5 aged 32 following a glittering career on stage and screen after being propelled to fame when they won the inaugural season of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK in 2019.
Police investigating the tragic star’s ‘sudden’ death today confirmed there were ‘no suspicious circumstances’.
As tributes poured in for one of Britain’s most recognisable drag queens, Sanchez, who won the second season of RuPaul’s Drag Race, has been heavily criticised for a series of nasty tweets.
Sanchez, formerly known as King Tyra, responded to a 2020 tweet from The Vivienne on the day that their untimely death was confirmed by manager Simon Jones.
The Vivienne’s old tweet from nearly five years ago said: ‘Bet Tyra was fuming when she Realised Netflix Spoiled the win Too. Sorry gal. You Tried though.’
Digging up the historical tweet on Sunday, Sanchez wrote: ‘Yet it doesn’t compare to the fumes of the crematorium.’
The twisted tweet has been met with a flurry of criticism from fellow drag queens and fans.
RuPaul Drag Race star Tyra Sanchez has sparked a backlash after making a sickening post about the sudden death of The Vivienne
Drag queen Kandy Muse said: ‘I’ve defended you for years but now you can absolutely go f*** yourself and if our path were to ever cross it’s absolutely on sight b****, it’s not a threat it’s a promise. you disgusting person.’
I’ve defended you for years but now you can absolutely go fuck yourself and if our path were to ever cross it’s absolutely on sight bitch, it’s not a threat it’s a promise. you disgusting person.
— KANDY MUSE (@TheKandyMuse) January 5, 2025
But Sanchez replied: ‘Threat received. Prepare your funeral.’
The drag star also doubled down in a series of tweets afterwards, including one which said: ‘She’s dead. Rotting. Sending me all the hate in the world won’t bring her back. But do as you must. Because of you the tweet has reached over 25k individuals. Thanks for the much needed attention that I oh so desperately needed.’
Another X user posted: ‘You are disgusting … Shame on you.’
And another wrote: ‘This was very twisted. As someone who used to admire you, this is so coldhearted and disappointing.’
The Vivienne’s death, which was confirmed by publicist Simon Jones, has shocked fans of RuPaul Drag Race around the world.
Jones wrote on Instagram: ‘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.’
In 2018, Sanchez was banned from DragCon for threatening physical violence upon other queens after she posted a video attacking fellow season two queen Tatianna and season four queen Phi Phi O’Hara with threats of violence.