Key facts
- Monument
- Life-size statue of The Vivienne
- Location
- Junction of Victoria Street and Stanley Street, Liverpool Pride Quarter
- Funding target
- Around £100,000
- Lead organisations
- House of The Vivienne CIC and Proudly Said
- Initial funding
- Liverpool Business Improvement District
- Purpose
- Honour The Vivienne and support addiction awareness
Background
Liverpool is preparing to immortalise one of its most beloved performers with a permanent life-size statue of The Vivienne, a tribute that will stand at the entrance to the city’s Pride Quarter. The monument will be installed at the junction of Victoria Street and Stanley Street, marking the gateway to Liverpool’s officially recognised LGBTQ+ district, according to Attitude Magazine.
The project is being led by House of The Vivienne CIC, founded by Williams’ family after his death in January 2025, alongside Liverpool-based LGBTQ+ platform Proudly Said. Initial funding from Liverpool Business Improvement District has allowed the campaign to formally launch, with a community fundraising target of around £100,000 to commission and install the statue.
Born in North Wales and educated at Rydal Penrhos in Colwyn Bay, Williams moved to Liverpool at 16 and quickly became a defining presence in the city’s drag scene. Long before national fame arrived—including winning the inaugural RuPaul’s Drag Race UK in 2019 and reaching the final of Dancing on Ice in 2023—The Vivienne was already commanding stages across Garlands, GBar and Superstar Boudoir, helping generations of LGBTQ+ people feel they belonged.
Current situation
The statue will act, in the words of those behind the project, as a permanent “guardian angel” for the Pride Quarter. Unlike traditional monuments, the ambition is to create a welcoming focal point where people can gather, sit, and—fittingly—have a catch-up with The Vivienne.
“James gave everything to Liverpool and Liverpool gave everything back to him,” said his sister Chanel Williams, speaking to Attitude Magazine. “A permanent statue feels like the right way to make sure nobody forgets that.”
For Proudly Said’s John Hyland, the tribute is both a celebration and a statement of intent. As Attitude Magazine notes, Liverpool became the first UK city to formally recognise its gay quarter in 2011, and those behind the statue hope it will spark wider community-led regeneration while protecting the living LGBTQ+ culture that makes the area significant.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2019 | Won inaugural RuPaul’s Drag Race UK |
| 2023 | Reached final of Dancing on Ice |
| 2025 | Died in January; family founded House of The Vivienne CIC |
Impacts
The campaign also carries a deeper mission. Following Williams’ death from cardiorespiratory arrest after taking ketamine, his family founded House of The Vivienne to challenge stigma around addiction and help people access support without fear.
The statue will honour not only the dazzling performer who brought joy to millions, but the son, brother and friend whose legacy continues to guide others toward safety, pride and hope. The tribute is expected to become a gathering point for the community and a symbol of the area’s ongoing regeneration.
Future outlook
Scenario analysis: The possibilities below are not certain predictions.
If the community fundraising target of around £100,000 is met, the statue could be commissioned and installed at the Pride Quarter entrance, providing a permanent landmark. The project may also encourage further investment and community-led regeneration in the area, building on Liverpool’s status as the first UK city to formally recognise its gay quarter in 2011.
However, if fundraising falls short, the timeline for installation could be delayed or the design may need to be adjusted. The campaign’s success may also influence how other cities choose to honour LGBTQ+ figures and address addiction-related stigma, but such outcomes remain uncertain at this stage.
Source: northwalespioneer.co.uk
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Timeline of The Vivienne's legacy
- 01
Won RuPaul’s Drag Race UK
The Vivienne won the inaugural RuPaul’s Drag Race UK.
- 02
Dancing on Ice final
The Vivienne reached the final of Dancing on Ice.
- 03
Death of The Vivienne
The Vivienne died in January 2025; family later founded House of The Vivienne CIC.
- 04
Statue campaign launched
Campaign formally launched with initial funding from Liverpool Business Improvement District.
स्रोत:Information from Attitude Magazine as reported by northwalespioneer.co.uk. स्रोत-समर्थित
