A year after the sudden death of drag icon The Vivienne, his sister is transforming her family's grief into a powerful mission to combat drug addiction and dismantle the shame that surrounds it.
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 at the age of 32. His death in January 2025 was ruled as misadventure, caused by a cardio-respiratory arrest following the use of ketamine. The star had been publicly open about his past struggles with addiction and his journey to sobriety.
His sister, Chanel Williams, appearing on ITV's Good Morning Britain, spoke of the profound shock. "It's really hard to come to terms with a loss that's so sudden," she said. The family has since "focused all our energy on trying to raise as much awareness as we can" about addiction, aiming to honour her brother's memory by helping others.
The Hidden Struggle Behind a Public Persona
Ms Williams revealed that the family was unaware ketamine had re-entered her brother's life before his death. She highlighted the immense pressure on public figures who advocate for recovery while battling privately. "I think there's certainly a stigma... 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. Despite his public sobriety, she believes the addiction never "truly left."
She described ketamine as a "dissociative substance" with devastating acute and chronic effects. Her urgent message is one of early intervention: "If you're struggling with any addiction... the first step is always seeking support... It's about bringing people together and people knowing that they're not alone."
Turning Grief into Action: The House Of The Vivienne
In direct response to the tragedy, Chanel Williams has helped establish House Of The Vivienne, an addiction support group based in Wales. The initiative seeks to provide a lifeline to those facing similar battles, embodying the star's legacy through practical help.
Appearing on the same programme, addiction specialist Dr Niall Campbell characterised ketamine use in the UK as an "epidemic," driven by its availability and low cost. He called for enhanced education and awareness campaigns, particularly within schools, to address the growing crisis.
The campaign led by The Vivienne's family underscores a critical message: breaking the silence and stigma around addiction is the first, vital step towards preventing further loss.
