Capturing the magic behind that ‘heartfelt’ tribute to Metro icon The Vivienne
Drag Race UK stars Baga Chipz, Danny Beard, Tia Kofi, Cheryl The Queen and Michael Marouli brought the house down with a special tribute to a true legend.
‘She’d hate any misery or anyone being upset.’
That was Michael Marouli talking to Kloss in preparation for a special tribute at the Metro Pride Awards to The Vivienne, the first-ever winner of Drag Race who paved the way for so many queens who followed in their extraordinary footsteps.
The trailblazer, who was also the recipient of Metro’s first Icon Award, died aged 32 at the beginning of 2025 with the LGBTQ+ community in mourning ever since.
Michael was joined by fellow Drag Race UK alumni Baga Chipz, Danny Beard, Cheryl The Queen and Tia Kofi, where they performed a floor-thumping routine to one of Viv’s favourite songs, You Spin Me Right Round, by Dead or Alive – its singer Pete Burns a clear inspiration for The Viv’s razor-sharp humour and unbeatable wit.
Immediately, the entire room at London’s Connaught Rooms – made up of celebrities, influencers, and LGBTQ+ pioneers – were on their feet, dancing on chairs and celebrating one of the showbiz’s greatest wonders, Viv.
It was flawless, the perfect way to honour such a formidable icon whose star was on the rise.
Kloss – real name Alec Maxwell – captured the magic of bringing such a sensational moment to life, from the moment the queens first rehearsed their performance on stage to bringing the house down in front of stars such as Rylan Clark, Anastacia, and GK Barry.
Maxwell, said: ‘The idea to document the tribute to The Vivienne at Metro Pride Awards emerged while Danny Beard was filming another project for the channel.
‘With the tribute already in development under the leadership of The Vivienne’s manager, Simon Jones, ensuring the heartfelt celebration of The Vivienne’s legacy was beautifully captured as a lasting tribute.
The tribute was the perfect celebration of Viv (Picture: Nick Edwards) Thequeens nailed it! (Credits: Nick Edwards)‘The episode shows the love and sisterhood between the queens and how the rally together to “keep The Vivienne’s spirit alive on the stage”.’
The inaugural Metro Pride Awards also saw The Vivienne honoured with the very first Icon Award, which was accepted by their manager Simon Jones, their father Lee and their sister Chanel.
In an emotional speech that he struggled to get through at times, Lee said: ‘James loved being a part of the entertainment world and I know he would have been happy. I know he would have absolutely loved tonight’s events.
The routine was choreographed by Cheryl The Queen (Picture: Getty)‘When he was nominated for the Metro award for rising star last year, he was honoured and made up to be here.
‘While it is extremely bittersweet to be here tonight without him, being under this roof meant the world to him. Thank you to everyone for your huge love and support.’
Chanel told Metro: ‘He’d be over the moon with what’s happening here tonight, and the fact that we’re here as well, I think he’d have a bit of a laugh about that, that we’ve managed to get out tonight.
‘It’s a bit bittersweet because he should be here, but it’s a celebration of him and we’re really grateful to be a part of that.’
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