VIV IN DRUG RACE TO SAVE ADDICTS Drag Race champion inspiring fans
DRAG Race UK champion The Vivienne is inspiring drug addicts to seek help.
She spoke out on the show about her own battles, sparking a huge reaction online.
The performer, real name James Lee Williams, was hooked on Class B drug ketamine for four years. It got so bad she was warned by medics she would die before turning 30.
She said: “Bringing a spotlight on to my past addiction was a highlight of the series for me.
“And it’s incredible to see the amount of people who have reached out to say I’ve helped them. The reaction’s been great.
“I’ve had messages from young and old people, those in recovery and those still in the midst of addiction. There have even been messages from people I know. They hadn’t ever told me before that they were going through it but they now feel comfortable to say so.
“With addiction, it’s not always obvious that someone is in that situation, so it’s nice they see me and feel they have someone they can talk to about it.
“Hopefully it will give them some comfort to see that I went through all that and came out the other side OK.”
The Vivienne added: “It wasn’t a conscious decision for me to speak about my addiction on TV.
“It just happened when it came up in conversation. But I’m glad it did. If you have a platform like this and you don’t use it then you’re doing people a disservice.
“You should use your platform for good. My family didn’t all know, but they’ve been so supportive. Dad told me, ‘Sh** happens but I’m still going to give you a kick up the arse when I see you.’”
The Vivienne has now been sober for two years after getting support at wellbeing venue The Armistead Centre in Liverpool.
She said: “Everyone that supported me did a great job. There are places you can go to for advice and it’s really important those places are highlighted.” The Vivienne beat nine rivals to be crowned the UK’s first drag superstar by drag icon RuPaul.
This week all of the queens will tour the UK before they jet around the world for more gigs.
The Vivienne revealed: “The reaction has been crazy. Twitter has blown up. I’m trying not to look at it all just yet.
“I’ve been a drag queen for 12 years, so winning the show is the pinnacle of what I could have done with my career.”
SALLY Lindsay is returning to comedy next year.
She’s been playing a fraud victim in dark drama Cold Call but will soon be making us giggle again. Sally said: “We are working on it at the moment. It will be a lighter show. “It’s great to work with Channel 5 – it’s amazing.
“I feel very grateful, lucky and honoured to still be working.
“It’s just amazing that people still want to watch me after 25 years. I’m very honoured.”