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Three months after RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner The Vivienne, also known as James Lee Williams, died at 32, their family and manager detailed their cause of death.
By Olivia Evans Mar 18, 2025 5:39 PM | Updated 1 minute ago
‘Rupaul’s Drag Race UK’ Season 1 Winner The Vivienne Dead at 32
The Vivienne‘s loved ones are sharing new details about their death.
Nearly three months after the first RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner, also known as James Lee Williams, passed away at the age of 32, their family confirmed they died from a cardiac arrest caused by the effects of taking ketamine.
As sister Chanel Williams told BBC March 17, their family will "continue to be completely devastated" by the performer’s death and they’ll be “working with a substance abuse charity to raise awareness of the dangers of the drug.”
Williams’ manager Simon Jones also confirmed his friend’s cause of death.
“I hope that by releasing this information, we can raise awareness about the dangers of ongoing ketamine usage and what it can do to your body,” Jones said in a statement. “Ketamine usage is on the rise, particularly amongst young people, and I don’t think the full dangers of the drug are being discussed.”
Williams’ death was confirmed in January, after their body was discovered in the bathroom of their Chorlton-by-Backford, Cheshire home.
“James was an incredibly loved, warm-hearted and amazing person,” Jones had written
in a statement confirming his client’s death. “Their family are heartbroken at the loss of their son, brother and uncle. They are so proud of the wonderful things James achieved in their life and career.”
Williams, a native of Wales, began performing in drag when they were just 16, and made a connection with RuPaul’s Drag Race in 2015, when they became a UK ambassador for the U.S.-based series. Four years later, they went on to win the show’s inaugural UK-based season, and later performed on RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars’ seventh season in 2022.
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images
During their first appearance on the series, Williams had opened up about their previous battles with addiction.
“It was party drugs, but I couldn’t leave the drugs at the party—it was constant for me,” Williams said during a 2019 episode of Drag Race. “I’m two years clean of drugs and I feel amazing for it and I just want to use that platform to help other people.”
In response to losing their loved one, Williams’ family is partnering with Adferaid, a UK organization helping those who struggle with substance abuse and mental health challenges.
Williams’ sister previously told Attitude, “If we can help raise awareness of the dangers of this drug, and help people who may be dealing with ketamine addiction, then something positive will come from this complete tragedy.”
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