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In memory of the late drag performer The Vivienne, her family has established a support group aimed at assisting individuals grappling with drug and alcohol addiction.
James Lee Williams, the celebrated winner of the inaugural season of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, passed away in January at the age of 32, succumbing to cardiac arrest induced by the effects of ketamine.
Williams had been privately battling an addiction to ketamine and had recently experienced a relapse following a period of sobriety.
Spearheaded by their sister, Chanel Williams, and the family, the House of Vivienne sessions will be held every Tuesday at Ty Enfys coffee shop in Colwyn Bay, Conwy county, with the goal of raising awareness about the dangers of ketamine use.
“This initiative is for anyone who feels isolated,” stated Chanel, emphasizing, “James would want you to know that your life holds value, and help is within reach. There is always hope.”
Williams, who used they/them and he/him pronouns, had previously addressed their struggles with addiction on an episode of Drag Race, expressing a desire to utilize their platform to underscore its perils and the possibility of recovery.
Revered as one of the most prominent breakout stars in British drag, the performer’s untimely death deeply affected the LGBTQ+ community.
“Ketamine is an exceptionally hazardous substance that is becoming increasingly widespread in the UK,” Chanel cautioned.
“The stigma surrounding ketamine use persists, and it is costing lives. We aim to dismantle this stigma and cultivate a secure environment where individuals feel empowered to seek assistance.”
While small doses of ketamine—a Class B drug—can induce feelings of euphoria and excitement, larger quantities can lead to a state known as the “K-hole,” characterized by a sense of detachment from reality.
Statistics indicate that the number of individuals under the age of 16 reporting issues with the drug has nearly doubled in the last two years.
In collaboration with the Sanctuary Trust, Adferiad, and various substance abuse charities, the House of The Vivienne is envisioned as a “safe, inclusive space.”
Williams spent their formative years in Colwyn Bay before relocating to Liverpool as a teenager, where their admiration for Vivienne Westwood’s designs inspired their drag persona.
The Vivienne showcased their talents in musical theater and television productions, and also competed on an all-winners season of the RuPaul franchise in the US in 2022.
In January 2023, they made history as the first drag queen to grace the ice on Dancing on Ice, partnering with American skater Colin Grafton and ultimately securing a third-place finish.
Williams had experienced “a considerably long period of sobriety” before succumbing to relapse, according to Chanel, who believes that both the societal stigma surrounding addiction and her sibling’s successful career contributed to their reluctance to seek professional assistance.
“James illuminated every space they entered with sparkle and joy,” Chanel reflected.
“However, they were also intimately acquainted with the darkness of addiction. It is for this reason that House of The Vivienne transcends mere admonitions to cease substance use; it is about engaging with individuals empathetically, without judgment, and demonstrating that a path forward exists.”
Details of help and support with addiction are available in the UK at BBC Action Line
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