Vivienne, whose name at birth was James Lee Williams, will be remembered as a household name of British drag and LGBTQ+ life, and whose crown-winning performances and death sparked national debate about substance awareness. Though earlier tributes may have focused more on The Vivienne’s career, family and achievements, recent BBC and Sky News reports bring forth a lot of new details, including the final days and cause of death that left behind a powerful legacy.
Key Details:
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | James Lee Williams |
| Stage Name | The Vivienne |
| Birth/Death | Born April 12, 1992 (Colwyn Bay, Wales) / Died January 5, 2025 (Cheshire, England) |
| Family | Father: Lee Williams; Sister: Chanel Williams; Spouse: David Ludford (m. 2019, separated 2023) |
| Heritage | Welsh and Romani |
| Pronouns | They/them |
| Net Worth | Estimated between $1.5 million and $5 million (as of 2025) |
| Major Awards | UK Drag Ambassador for RuPaul’s Drag Race (2015) |
| Winner, RuPaul’s Drag Race UK (Season 1, 2019) | |
| Competed, RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars (Season 7, 2022) | |
| First drag performer on ITV’s Dancing on Ice (2023, 3rd place) | |
| Lead role, Wicked Witch in UK tour of ‘Wizard of Oz’ (2024) | |
| Posthumously honored with Metro Pride Icon Award (2025) | |
| Music & TV | Released EP “Bitch on Heels” (2022); Starred in “Morning T&T” and appeared on “Emmerdale” |
| Advocacy | LGBTQ+ rights and substance abuse awareness; candid about personal struggles |
| Cause of Death | Cardiac arrest associated with ketamine overdose |
Family, Early Life & Roots.
James Lee Williams was born on April 12, 1992, in Colwyn Bay, Wales. He lived in North Wales during his childhood and moved to Liverpool at age 16 to work as a make-up artist. He is of Welsh and Romani descent. Williams was raised in a supportive family. He was very close to his sister Chanel. His father, Lee Williams, remembers James as “an outgoing character full of life. He was always looking to put a smile on people’s faces.” Liverpool transformed life, providing a safe haven and a place to begin drag.
The Rise of The Vivienne
Taking inspiration from fashion icon Vivienne Westwood, Williams created the character “The Vivienne.” Sharp, glamorous, witty, and savvy, The Vivienne quickly became a star fixture of Liverpool’s nightlife, earning a reputation for immaculate impersonations, wit, and style. UK Drag Ambassador for RuPaul’s Drag Race winner in 2015, the soon-to-be icon found international fame long before he joined the reality franchise.
Reality TV Fame and Mainstream Impact
RuPaul’s Drag Race UK
In 2019, The Vivienne won the first season of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK for her hilarious performance of celebrity impersonations and competitive response. This win declared them the first proper drag superstar in the UK. After their win, they became international stars and advocates, performing all over the world and appearing in television shows. They also competed in subsequent Drag Race franchises, including All Stars 7 in 2022, where they became the first UK queen to compete in the US version.
Mainstream Television, Music, and Stage
In 2023, The Vivienne took it up a notch by becoming the first drag artist to join ITV’s “Dancing on Ice”, finishing third. This change helped increase drag visibility on prime-time UK television. The Vivienne was musically active in 2022 by releasing the EP “Bitch on Heels” and starring as the Wicked Witch of the West in a major UK tour of The Wizard of Oz in 2024.
Advocacy and Relationships.
Not only a performer, The Vivienne raised her voice in advocacy about LGBTQ+, sobriety, and mental health issues. Their readiness to discuss difficult issues in public particularly regarding their own addiction struggles showed they were an emotionally available role model for fans and other performers.
The marriage of Williams with David Ludford happened in 2019. The union received a lot of attention which would lessen as per the separation of the pair in 2023. The Vivienne was warm privately and an advocate publicly. She was known for her generosity in both personal and public life.
Achievements and Accolades
- First UK Drag Ambassador for RuPaul’s Drag Race (2015)
- Winner, RuPaul’s Drag Race UK (Season 1) (2019)
- First drag performer on Dancing on Ice (2023)
- Diverse roles in national theater and TV (2022-2024)
- Metro Pride Icon Award (2025, posthumously)
Controversies and Challenges
Alongside accolades, The Vivienne endured publicized hardships, including being the victim of a homophobic assault in Liverpool in 2023 sparking condemnation and opening dialogue about queer safety in the UK. The ultimate tragedy, however, would play out quietly and personally, hidden from much of the public until after their death.
Death and Inquest Findings
On January 5, 2025, The Vivienne, aged 32, was discovered dead in their home in Cheshire. For two days, they lay in a bathtub as friends and neighbours, who noticed a sudden lack of activity, raised the alarm and entered the house. According to official reports, Williams died due to cardiac arrest caused by ketamine overdose. His death is being considered as a “misadventure”.
BBC and Sky News inquest details show Williams had suffered a relapse in the months prior to death after years of sobriety, a fact the family remained unaware of until informed by the coroner. The toxicology reports showed “relatively high” levels of the drug ketamine. There were no signs of drowning. As such, a pathologist ruled the substance caused catastrophic cardio-respiratory failure.
The funeral of The Vivienne was attended by family, friends, and ex-colleagues along with stars from Drag Race franchise in North Wales RuPaul, Michelle Visage and Ariana Grande paid tribute to someone whose authenticity and creativity made them a star who will inspire generations with their talent, warmth and bravery.
Raising Awareness
In the shadow of tragedy, The Vivienne’s family and management chose to speak openly about the dangers of substance misuse. Their aim: to prompt honest conversations, encourage those suffering to seek help, and use Williams’ story as a catalyst for positive change around addiction and the pressures felt by those in the public eye.
FAQs About The Vivienne
Who was Vivienne?
The Vivienne was the stage name of James Lee Williams, an acclaimed British drag queen, reality TV champion, musician, and advocate from North Wales, best known for winning RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Season .
What made Vivienne a notable figure in drag culture?
The Vivienne blended fashion, comedy, and music, pioneering major drag representation in mainstream UK media especially with Drag Race UK and ITV’s Dancing on Ice while using personal struggles to raise awareness and support within the LGBTQ+ community.
How did The Vivienne die?
The Vivienne died of cardiac arrest due to a ketamine overdose at home in Cheshire in early January 2025. The coroner ruled the cause as “death by misadventure,” highlighting a fatal relapse after previous sobriety.
What struggles did The Vivienne face in private?
While publicly celebrated, Williams dealt with addiction, having relapsed into ketamine use after a period of sobriety. This was not widely known to family or friends until after their passing, despite The Vivienne’s openness about past addiction struggles on television and social media.
What is The Vivienne’s legacy?
Beyond their groundbreaking career wins, The Vivienne’s legacy includes public health advocacy around addiction, increased drag visibility in mainstream entertainment, and work in destigmatizing LGBTQ+ issues in the UK.
How did the public and the Drag Race family respond to The Vivienne’s death?
There was an outpouring of grief and celebration of The Vivienne’s impact: tributes from RuPaul and prominent celebrities, special dedications, and wide coverage in British media, solidifying The Vivienne’s place as a modern icon.
What support is available for those facing similar struggles?
Inspired by The Vivienne’s story, the family partnered with substance abuse charities to bring awareness to ketamine’s risks and provide support for the LGBTQ+ community and beyond dealing with addiction.