The cause of death for The Vivienne, the winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Season 1, has been confirmed – the cause was apparently related to ketamine use. The 32 year old drag star died from cardiac arrest, thought to have been caused by ketamine use. Their manager Simon Jones said, “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.” Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic originally developed for surgeries.
It has gained popularity as a recreational drug. Its supervised medical use can help with pain management, but it carries the danger of psychedelic and dissociative effects. Friends star Matthew Perry died in 2023 after consuming a lethal dose of ketamine. The Vivienne, whose real name was James Lee Williams, died on January 5, 2025, in their home in Chester, U.K. If you have problems with drug use, and many in the Queer community do, please reach out for help to the National Drug Helpline: 1-800-766-6779.
You can also look for a Narcotics Anonymous meeting in your area or can benefit from NA online or by phone. Visit virtual-na.org/ for more information. The Queer God Squad has compassion for people who struggle with addiction and we do not see it as a moral failing. The pain caused by homophobia and transphobia often contributes to substance abuse. Bigotry is a moral failing. Let’s talk more about this issue.
