Jiggly Caliente Dies at 44: Remembering a Bright Light in the Drag Community

The drag community lost one of its stars. Jiggly Caliente, whose popularity was most linked to returning appearances on RuPaul’s Drag Race, died on Friday at the age of 44 after a long battle with a serious infection. She died peacefully early Sunday morning, surrounded by her closest friends and family members, they said.

Born Bianca Castro-Arabejo on November 29, 1980, Jiggly Caliente was Filipino-American from the very beginning who came to New York as a kid. She discovered her voice and her spunk singing, and finally charmed fans everywhere with her humor, toughness, and personality plus.

Jiggly made the fans fall head over heels in love with her the very first time on season four of RuPaul’s Drag Race. She. She was a force to be reckoned with, and she was complimented for lip-sync battles and laugh, which was contagious. Even at worst during the time when she was getting mistaken for sewing projects or when she struggled on the show, her spirit never became broken. It wasn’t necessarily her talent as a performer that touched hearts – it was her vulnerability, truthfulness, and will to just keep moving forward.

While Jiggly made it only as far as the finale – Sharon Needles was crowned the season’s winner – her existence did leave an impression. She painted a scene for viewers of what it is like to fight for your aspirations when everything was taken from you.

In a heartfelt public speech, Jiggly’s family revealed that she had just recently developed a serious infection that left her half-losing her leg. While as tough as the fight in the hospital was, they said, she never lost her beloved family and care of her dear relatives and friends in the process. “She touched so many with her art, with her activism, and with the genuine connection that she had with fans all over the world,” her family stated. “Although her physical presence will be taken from us, the joy that she brought and the space that she created for all of us will be a lasting thing.”

Her death sent shockwaves throughout the drag and wider community. Drag Race commentator and BBC Radio 2 host Michelle Visage took to Instagram, writing a poignant post recalling her friend. “My Jiggles… The guffaws were non-stop, our chat was something special, your spark was infectious,” she said. “You were and you remain so very loved.” This world lost an angel and we need you to fly high. I love you so much, honey.

Producers of RuPaul’s Drag Race and World of Wonder also provided a statement, referring to themselves as “heartbroken” over the loss of Jiggly and urging respect and privacy for her loved ones. “Jiggly’s spirit, humor and light touched all of us in the world of Drag Race and beyond,” they said. “Her legacy will continue to empower those communities that she battled for.”

Not only was Jiggly Caliente a performer – she was a pioneer. Having publicly declared herself trans, she became a source of inspiration for others through her activism and presence. She returned to fight on RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars season six and judged on Drag Race Philippines when it launched in 2022. Judge labor on the show wasn’t all trash-talking about looks and performances — it was about mentoring future queens and making sure the art of drag remains alive, diverse, and real.

Her passing is also a sorrowful trend to have afflicted the Drag Race dynasty over the years. Some of its iconic queens also passed too soon as well, those being Sahara Davenport, Chi Chi DeVayne, Cherry Valentine, and The Vivienne. Each was another tragedy but especially since each of them were talented creators who were taking with them the legacy of which they were making joyful, they were empowering, and shining light upon the LGBTQ+ community.

Jiggly’s presence was a witness to living unabashedly, boldly, and authentically. She raised the bar on the standard of what drag was not merely glitter – it was survival, narration, and a holding space for all to see and be uplifted. For countless fans, particularly LGBTQ+ individuals of color, Jiggly was more than a performer – she was hope.

Since the day that she died last few days back, people across the globe poured into the social networking website showing respect, remembering Jiggly’s record-setting performances, cry-filled interviews, and how at worst of days, she would manage to smile people’s faces. Her persistence work ethic through love and laughter is something that people would never forget anytime sooner.

Even though she was muzzled even when her vocal cords remained in silence, the spirit of Jiggly continues to inhabit stages, screens, and hearts everywhere across this world. She taught us all what’s so great about living one’s own life and how to survive the ordeal of life with sense of humor, wit, and composure, and with never ever apologizing needlessly.

Rest in peace, Jiggly Caliente. You were and forever will be a star whose twinkle light twinkled brighter than anyone else’s.