The heart-wrenching demise of James Lee Williams, affectionately known to millions as The Vivienne from the iconic reality series "RuPaul’s Drag Race," has been officially confirmed. The beloved drag artist's family, in a poignant disclosure to BBC News, revealed that their tragic loss was a result of cardiac arrestinduced by the misuse of ketamine, a highly potent anesthetic substance. In a show of resilience and compassion, the Williams family has pledged to collaborate with Adferiad, a charity dedicated to addressing substance abuse, to launch a campaign aimed at fostering more open and honest conversations about addiction.
"Ketamine is an exceptionally dangerous drug whose prevalence in the U.K. is alarmingly escalating," emphasized the Williams family. "If we can play even a small part in raising awareness about its perils and offering support to those battling ketamine addiction, perhaps a glimmer of hope can emerge from this heart-shattering tragedy."
Chanel Williams, The Vivienne's sister, articulated the family's profound devastation, stating they were "utterly shattered" by the loss of their beloved star. Their manager, Simon Jones, echoed this sentiment, saying, "By sharing this information, we hope to underscore the perils of persistent ketamine use and its devastating health impacts."
News of The Vivienne’s passing shattered hearts on January 5. The drag queen, who embraced they/them pronouns, was just 32 years old and in the prime of their life.
In an emotional Instagram statement, Jones conveyed the heartbreaking news, writing, "It is with profound sorrow that we inform you of the passing of our cherished James Lee Williams, aka The Vivienne, over the weekend." He continued, "James was an incredibly loved, kind-hearted, and remarkable individual. Their family is inconsolable over the loss of their son, brother, and uncle. They take immense pride in the remarkable accomplishments James achieved throughout their life and career. No further details will be disclosed at this time. We respectfully request that James’ family be granted the time and privacy necessary to grieve and come to terms with this loss."
Jones later shared a deeply personal Instagram post mourning The Vivienne’s untimely demise. "These are words I never imagined uttering," Jones confessed. "Viv was a close confidant, a client, and someone I deeply cherished. From the moment we met in 2019, I sensed we could create magic together, and I became their manager. Their talent was boundless, and the radiance they brought into every space was breathtaking." Jones expressed their profound gratitude and fortune for having Viv as such a significant part of their daily life for the past five years, noting that it was "heart-wrenching that their promising career had barely begun."
"I am heartbroken and devastated by this news," Jones concluded. "Rest in peace, my wonderful friend. You were taken from us far too soon."
The day after the announcement of The Vivienne’s death, authorities assured that the incident was deemed non-suspicious. "Police attended the scene, investigated the circumstances surrounding the death of the 32-year-old individual, and determined that no foul play was involved," a Cheshire Police spokesperson told Hello! on January 6. "A file will be prepared for the coroner."
RuPaul was among those who paid tribute to The Vivienne, posting on Instagram, "With a shattered heart, I join the entire 'Drag Race' community in mourning the loss of The Vivienne—an incredibly talented queen and a wonderful soul."
The Vivienne made her debut on the inaugural season of "RuPaul’s Drag Race UK" in 2019 and emerged as the series' inaugural champion. Executive producers Randy Barbato and Fenton Bailey of "Drag Race" have announced a new documentary titled "Dear Viv," celebrating The Vivienne’s life and legacy. Scheduled to air on WOW Presents Plus in 2025, the film will feature interviews with The Vivienne’s "Drag Race U.K." costars Baga Chipz, Michael Marouli, and Danny Beard, along with fans whose lives were forever touched by the drag legend.
"We aspire to commemorate The Vivienne’s extraordinary life and work, ensuring everyone experiences her incredible talent, wit, and immense heart," Barbato and Bailey stated on March 5.
