Sister: Drug use 'stigma' may have stopped star seeking help

THE sister of The Vivienne has questioned whether the “stigma” around drug use stopped the drag queen from seeking help.

- BY CHARLOTTE MCLAUGHLIN

James Lee Williams, who won the first series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, died at home in Chorlton-by-Backford near Chester at the age of 32, on January 5 after taking ketamine.

Chanel Williams told BBC Two current affairs programme Newsnight that The Vivienne did not discuss their relapse, including a hospital stay, “to protect them”, following “a really long period of sobriety”.

"It’s hard for me because I think, if that stigma wasn’t there, would my brother have sought the help he needed?” she said.

“To think that, if we'd known, or if he'd have felt able to talk and really reach out for the help that was needed, the outcome could’ve been different. That's why we've shared James's story.”