The drag world has lost one of its fiercest voices. Jiggly Caliente, the unforgettable queen who turned heartbreak into humor and runways into personal revolutions, passed away at 44, her family confirmed Sunday. Known offstage as Bianca Castro-Arabejo, Jiggly had recently experienced a serious health complication that led to surgery and the loss of most of her right leg.
“A luminous presence in the worlds of entertainment and advocacy,” her family said in a heartfelt statement, “Jiggly Caliente was celebrated for her infectious energy, fierce wit, and unwavering authenticity.” Her death, they added, was peaceful and surrounded by love.
Jiggly first made waves in the queer universe when she hit the werkroom in Season 4 of RuPaul’s Drag Race in 2012, placing eighth—but stealing hearts along the way. She was beloved for her emotional transparency, dancefloor charisma, and ability to bring comedy even to moments of struggle. She returned to our screens again in All Stars Season 6 and more recently graced the judging panel of Drag Race Philippines, where her presence was not only electric but deeply rooted in sisterhood and solidarity.
But her magic didn’t stop with the show that made her famous. Jiggly took her voice to the small screen in Pose, where she played Veronica Ferocity, a character whose strength and sass mirrored her own. Her performance added a layer of lived truth to a show that already pulsed with queer and trans authenticity. Off-screen, Jiggly wasn’t just an entertainer—she was an advocate, a mentor, and an icon for trans and queer youth who saw themselves in her journey.
For the LGBTQ community—particularly Filipinx and trans viewers—Jiggly wasn’t just a queen; she was representation. She was the glamorized manifestation of “you can make it,” even if making it meant battling systems that never wanted you to thrive. Her death echoes loudly across the queer spectrum, especially in a time when drag and trans identities are being politicized and attacked.
Fans and fellow queens flooded social media with heartbreak. “I will miss you so much, my sister,” wrote Jujubee. “I am so grateful we met this lifetime. I love you Jiggly. Rest in peace.” Jackie Cox called the news “devastating,” a sentiment shared across the global drag family.
Jiggly Caliente leaves behind a legacy of glitter, guts, and groundbreaking moments. She opened doors by simply refusing to close her mouth or dim her sparkle. Her drag wasn’t just performance—it was protest. Her life was joy and rage, elegance and grit. And while the curtain may have closed on her earthly stage, the echoes of her laughter, heels, and truth will never fade.