The drag star’s family has confirmed their cause of death
The family of Ru Paul’s Drag Race star The Vivienne has confirmed the drag queen died from a cardiac arrest after taking ketamine.
The tragic news comes after The Vivienne, born James Lee Williams, was found deceased in their UK home in January 2025.
In an emotional statement to BBC News, The Vivienne’s sister, Chanel Williams, revealed that the family is still deeply devastated by the loss of the beloved performer, who was only 32 years old at the time of their death.
Local police have confirmed there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding The Vivienne’s death. In an effort to raise awareness about the dangers of ketamine use, their manager and close friend, Simon Jones, shared the family’s decision to publicly address the cause of death.
He explained, “I hope by us releasing this information, we can raise awareness about the dangers of ongoing ketamine usage and what it can do to your body.”
Ketamine, a dissociative drug, is known for producing hallucinogenic effects that distort perceptions of sight and sound. It can make users feel disconnected and out of control. According to the US Drug Enforcement Agency, an overdose of ketamine can lead to unconsciousness and dangerously slowed breathing.
The Vivienne had been open about their past struggles with substance abuse, admitting they battled addiction for four years. “It was party drugs, but I couldn’t leave the drugs at the party,” they revealed during an episode of Drag Race. “It was constant for me.”
Chanel Williams, in her tribute to her sibling, said: “Ketamine is an extremely dangerous drug that is becoming more and more prevalent in the UK. 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.”
An inquest into The Vivienne’s death is scheduled for June.
The Drag Race star gained national recognition in 2015 when they were named UK Drag Ambassador for the popular reality series, RuPaul’s Drag Race. Their fame skyrocketed when they went on to win the first season of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK in 2019, later making an appearance on the US version of Drag Race All Stars.
Hailing from Wales, The Vivienne’s influence and legacy have left a lasting impact, and tributes have poured in from fans worldwide since their passing.
In a heartfelt message following the tragic news, RuPaul, the host of the reality show, expressed: “We’re going to remember our dear The Vivienne, with love, life, and that’s what she was all about.”
