One year on from the sudden death of drag superstar The Vivienne, his sister is transforming her family's profound grief into a vital mission to combat drug addiction and dismantle its stigma.
A Sudden Loss and a Legacy of Advocacy
James Lee Williams, celebrated globally as The Vivienne, winner of the first series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK in 2019, died aged 32 in January 2025. His death was ruled as misadventure, resulting from a cardio-respiratory arrest following the use of ketamine. The performer had been publicly open about his past struggles with addiction and his journey to sobriety.
Speaking to ITV's Good Morning Britain on Wednesday 7 January 2026, his sister, Chanel Williams, reflected on the shock of his passing. "It's really hard to come to terms with a loss that's so sudden," she stated. The family has since "focused all our energy on trying to raise as much awareness as we can" to break the stigma surrounding drug use and honour her brother's memory by helping others.
The Hidden Struggle Behind a Public Persona
Ms Williams revealed that, despite her brother's advocacy for recovery, the family was unaware ketamine had re-entered his life. "We weren't aware at the time that James passed, that ketamine had become an issue again," she shared, highlighting the intense pressure on public figures who champion sobriety while privately battling their demons.
"I think there's certainly a stigma around when you say that you've gone through recovery and you want to advocate for people that are struggling and then you yourself are struggling," she explained. "It's really difficult." She described ketamine as a "dissociative substance" whose acute and chronic damage is "devastating."
Building Support and Confronting an 'Epidemic'
In direct response to the tragedy, Chanel Williams has helped establish House Of The Vivienne, an addiction support group based in their native Wales. She urges anyone facing similar challenges to take the first step and seek support. "It's about bringing people together and people knowing that they're not alone," she emphasised.
Appearing on the same programme, addiction specialist Dr Niall Campbell characterised ketamine use in the UK as an "epidemic," driven by its easy availability and low cost. He called for enhanced education and awareness programmes, particularly within schools, to address the growing crisis.
The campaign led by The Vivienne's family stands as a poignant call to action, aiming to prevent further loss by fostering open conversation, providing community support, and challenging the shame that too often surrounds addiction.
