Jiggly Caliente, Filipino-American drag artist, dies at 44

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'Her legacy is one of love, courage, and light. Though her physical presence is gone, the joy she shared and the space she helped create for so many will remain forever,' her family says in a statement

MANILA, Philippines – The drag community has lost another icon.

Filipino-American drag artist, singer, and actress Jiggly Caliente passed away at 44 years old in the early hours of Sunday, April 27, her family announced.

Caliente, whose real name was Bianca Castro-Arabejo, passed away surrounded by family and friends.

“A luminous presence in the worlds of entertainment and advocacy, Jiggly Caliente was celebrated for her infectious energy, fierce wit, and unwavering authenticity. She touched countless lives through her artistry, activism, and the genuine connection she fostered with fans around the world,” her family wrote.

Caliente was a contestant on season four of RuPaul’s Drag Race in 2011. She later returned for the show’s All Stars edition in 2021.

In 2022, she became the resident judge of Drag Race Philippines.

“Her legacy is one of love, courage, and light. Though her physical presence is gone, the joy she shared and the space she helped create for so many will remain forever. She will be deeply missed, love, and eternally remembered,” they added.

Her death comes just days after her family shared in a statement that she had lost most of her right leg to a severe infection. Her family announced then that she would not be able to participate in the upcoming season of Drag Race Philippines.

The show’s upcoming season is set to be an all-stars edition that will feature only Asian drag queens.

As a singer, Caliente released a full-length album in 2018: T.H.O.T. Process. She also acted in the 2020 indie film Milkwater. – Rappler.com