RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Winner The Vivienne’s Tragic Death Linked to Ketamine Overuse
In a world where glitter and glamour often mask darker struggles, the untimely death of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner The Vivienne, born James Lee Williams, serves as a sobering reminder of the perils lurking behind the spotlight. At just 32, Williams succumbed to a cardiac arrest caused by the long-term effects of ketamine, a drug whose dangers are often overshadowed by its recreational allure. Three months after their passing, Williams’ family and manager have broken their silence, not only to mourn but to sound the alarm on the rising tide of ketamine abuse, particularly among young people.
Williams, who rose to fame as the first winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK in 2019, had previously spoken candidly about their battles with addiction. During their time on the show, they revealed a two-year journey of sobriety, emphasizing the importance of using their platform to help others. Yet, as their sister Chanel Williams poignantly noted, the family is now grappling with the devastating irony of losing their loved one to a substance they thought was behind them.
The Vivienne’s manager, Simon Jones, echoed this sentiment, urging for greater awareness about ketamine’s destructive potential. “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 stated. The family has since partnered with Adferaid, a UK-based organization dedicated to supporting those battling substance abuse and mental health challenges, in hopes of turning their grief into a catalyst for change.
Williams’ career was a testament to resilience and talent. From their early days as a 16-year-old drag performer in Wales to becoming a UK ambassador for RuPaul’s Drag Race in 2015, they carved out a legacy that transcended the stage. Their victory in the show’s inaugural UK season and subsequent appearance on RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars in 2022 solidified their status as a trailblazer in the drag community. Yet, behind the sequins and applause, Williams’ struggles with addiction remained a haunting undercurrent.
As the family prepares to honor Williams’ memory by advocating for drug awareness, one can’t help but wonder how many more lives must be lost before society takes the dangers of ketamine seriously. Perhaps the most tragic lesson here is that even those who seem to have it all can be silently battling demons that no amount of glitter can conceal.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and E! Online, BBC, Attitude
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