The family of the inaugural winner “Drag Race UK” The Vivienne has revealed the cause of the death of the interpreter in January.
Vivienne, born James Lee Williams, died of cardiac arrest caused by taking ketamine, BBC reported Monday. The publicist Simon Jones confirmed the cause of Vivienne's death on Monday in an Instagram statement, adding “James's family and I think it is important to say how James died tragically.”
Jones added: “We hope that when publishing this information we can raise awareness about the dangers of the continuous use of ketamine and what it can do [to] Your body. The use of ketamine is increasing, particularly among young people, and I don't think the dangers of the drug are being discussed. ”
Ketamine is a legal medication commonly used as anesthetic, but has also gained popularity as a treatment for depression in recent years. It is the same drug that led to the death of 2023 of the star of “Friends” Matthew Perry. Ketamine can be addictive, experts say, and can be dangerous with long -term use or for people with some health conditions.
Vivienne died on January 5 at 32. They were found dead at home in England in Cheshire County, according to the BBC. Jones announced the death of the interpreter in a January statement with the loss of “an incredibly dear person, with a warm and surprising heart.” The tributes of the community of “Rupaul's Drag Race”, including its homonym host and other winners, subsequently arrived.
During his mandate of “Drag Race UK” in 2019, Vivienne was a constant competitor known for his shameless humor. Behind the scene, Vivienne was also vulnerable about her struggles with drug use and addiction. Before winning the crown, they told the judges who would advise their younger self to “try to say 'no'”.
“Just try to stay away from that, but you're going to do what you love doing, and that will be such an infernal trip,” said Vivienne. “Because you are going to end in 'Drag Race' with all these incredible people, and that is better than anything that someone can give you.”
In Monday's statement, Jones said that he and James's family were working with the mental health and the support of addiction, the charity of adnder. They hope to increase “vital awareness” and disseminate “information on how to help” people fighting with the use of ketamine.
“If we can help raise awareness about the dangers of this drug and help people who can be dealing with ketamine addiction, then something positive will come from this complete tragedy,” said Vivienne's sister, Chanel Williams, BBC.
