Drag Race Star’s Sister Reveals Ketamine Struggle to Protect Family – Campaigning for Drug Reform

The Vivienne, star of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK and rising television personality, tragically died in January at age 32 from a cardiac arrest caused by ketamine use. However, her sister, Chanel Williams, revealed the full extent of her brother’s struggle with addiction only recently, after watching an episode of Drag Race UK alongside their family. In an exclusive interview with BBC Newsnight, Ms. Williams disclosed that James Lee Williams, known as The Vivienne, had been battling ketamine addiction for a significant period and kept it hidden from his family to ‘protect them.’

The revelation came after the family learned of James’s death while watching Drag Race UK in 2019. Ms. Williams explained that her brother had undergone periods of sobriety but ultimately relapsed, a fact she and her family only discovered after his passing. She expressed deep regret over not recognizing the signs sooner, stating, “A big thing for me now is, had I asked the questions or just looked for the signs, would the outcome be different?”

The Vivienne had previously spoken openly about her struggles with addiction on Drag Race, which she credited as a catalyst for seeking help. However, Ms. Williams believes James’s successful career and the perceived stigma surrounding addiction hindered his ability to seek professional support again after initial recovery.

Beyond honoring her brother’s legacy, Chanel is now spearheading a campaign advocating for a reclassification of ketamine from its current status as a Class B drug to Class A – mirroring the classification of drugs like heroin and cocaine. She argues that this shift is crucial alongside increased education, improved policing strategies, and comprehensive public health initiatives aimed at tackling the rise in young people’s use of ketamine, often due to its affordability and accessibility.

The family has partnered with Adferiad, a substance abuse charity, to raise awareness and de-stigmatize addiction. They are also working closely with the UK government, which is currently seeking expert advice from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) regarding potential reclassification changes. Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson recently wrote to the ACMD expressing concerns about the increasing number of young people experimenting with ketamine.

The UK government’s response will be crucial in addressing this growing issue. A spokesperson for the Home Office emphasized their commitment to taking action based on the ACMD’s recommendations, alongside continued efforts across health, policing, and public services to combat drug use and its associated harms. Chanel Williams stated that she hopes her brother’s story can inspire others facing addiction to seek help, adding, “If I can help one family to not feel what we are feeling, then it’s all worth it.”

The full interview with Chanel Williams is available on BBC Newsnight at 10:30 on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer.