RuPaul posts video ‘slapping’ Tyra Sanchez after her ‘vile’ comments on The Vivienne’s death

RuPaul has shared a video to TikTok of her “slapping” disgraced Drag Race winner, Tyra Sanchez, after her “vile” comments about The Vivienne’s death.

The Vivienne, whose real name is James Lee Williams, died suddenly on Sunday from unknown causes.

She had won the first season of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, and is a much-loved member of the drag community.

The Vivienne was known for her humour, wit, and tongue-in-cheek comments, such as one she made to Tyra which sparked her outburst following the former’s death.

On Sunday, only hours after The Vivienne’s death, Tyra replied to an old tweet from the UK Drag Race winner.

The tweet from 2020, talking about Tyra’s All Stars loss, said: “Bet Tyra was fuming when she realised Netflix spoiled the win too. Sorry gal, you tried though.”

Yet it doesn’t compare to the fumes of the crematorium. https://t.co/DGSYkRovzJ

— Tyra (@thatdamntyra) January 5, 2025

Four and a half years on from the tweet, Tyra replied saying: “Yet it doesn’t compare to the fumes of the crematorium.”

However, Tyra continued, going on a tirade against The Vivienne. She shared a video captioned: “Songs I would play if I owned a crematorium,” which featured Alicia Key’s song, Girl On Fire.

Ding dong THE VIVIENNE’S dead 😵

— Tyra (@thatdamntyra) January 8, 2025

But, it didn’t stop there, Tyra continued posting about The Vivienne, including one tweet that said: “She’s dead. Rotting.”

Another, posted yesterday, said: “Ding Dong. The Vivienne’s dead.”

RuPaul has since responded to Tyra’s “disgusting” tirade with a video of her “slapping” the former Drag Race winner.

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The footage, posted to TikTok, shows Ru fake slapping Tyra during a skit from when the latter was on RuPaul’s Drag Race USA.

@rupaulofficial♬ original sound – RuPaul

Whilst there was no caption, fans said they knew exactly what Ru was implying, commenting: “The timing of this mother I’m SCREAMING,” and “Mama Ru ain’t playing.”

A third said: “Ru, you are amazing. This gets every point across perfectly without one word needing to be spoken.”

Fellow Drag Race alum also stepped in to condemn Tyra’s “vile” comments, with Kandy Muse saying: “I’ve defended you for years but now you can absolutely go f–k 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.”

However, this isn’t the first time Tyra has got into hot water over her comments, as in 2016, she told a fan: “Go kill yourself, bitch,” later saying he had no sympathy with those why died by suicide.

Tyra has been approached for comment, but has not yet responded.

Featured image via TikTok and Instagram