"This year, the LGBTQ+ community lost stars and famous faces from across the entertainment industry, including drag titans, Emmy-winning acting legends, pioneering activists and history-making musicians. The community has also lost dozens more famous allies and inspirations, including Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne, film director Rob Reiner, The First Wives Club actress Diane Keaton and much-memed How Clean Is Your House? star Kim Woodburn. Here we remember the lives of the LGBTQ+ celebrities we lost in 2025."
"James Lee Williams, better known publicly as The Vivienne, died on 3 January due to a cardiac arrest after taking ketamine. The drag star shot to international fame in 2019 after winning the inaugural season of RuPaul's Drag Race UK and later returning for All Stars 7 in 2022. She also became a TV staple in the UK, reaching the final of Dancing On Ice in 2023, and appeared on stage in the West End. Williams' family are working with charities Sanctuary Trust and Adferiad to raise awareness of the impact of taking ketamine, and have started House of The Vivienne, a support group for people struggling with addiction."
"Hermes Sant Anna Filho, best known by his adult film alias Roman Mercury, died aged 45 in February, according to his friend and fellow adult performer Greg Dixxon. The Brazilian performer died of a heart attack. Throughout his career, Mercury worked with studios and adult film production companies including Raging Stallion, RawFuckClub, TopFanVids, TheBroNetwork, Pantheon Productions, and MenAtPlay, and also shared content via OnlyFans. Earlier this year, he received his first ever GayVN Awards nomination for his content."
The LGBTQ+ community lost multiple prominent figures across entertainment in 2025, spanning drag performers, adult film stars, fashion designers, actors and musicians. James Lee Williams, known as The Vivienne, died on 3 January from cardiac arrest after taking ketamine; her family is working with charities to raise awareness and starting House of The Vivienne to support people with addiction. Hermes Sant Anna Filho, Roman Mercury, died of a heart attack in February after a career in adult film and a first-time GayVN Awards nomination. Fashion designer Sha'Vi Lewis, a Project Runway season 18 contestant, died on 24 February and was praised by family.
Read at PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news
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