Beloved Drag Star Jiggly Caliente Dies Aged 44
The drag community is in mourning following the death of Bianca Castro-Arabejo, better known as Jiggly Caliente, a star of the popular television show "RuPaul’s Drag Race". According to a report by The New York Times, Castro-Arabejo passed away on Sunday at the age of 44.
Castro-Arabejo’s family confirmed her death on Instagram, although the cause of her passing and the location where she died were not disclosed. The news comes just days after her family revealed that she had recently suffered a health setback, including a severe infection and surgery in which she lost most of her right leg.
As reported by The New York Times, Castro-Arabejo rose to fame as a contestant on the fourth season of "RuPaul’s Drag Race" in 2012, where she was eliminated in the seventh episode. She later appeared on the sixth season of "RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars" in 2021, but was eliminated in the second episode. Despite her early exits from the show, Castro-Arabejo became a fan favourite for her humour, energetic dance skills, and lively interactions with fellow cast members.
In an emotional interview with RuPaul after her elimination in 2021, Castro-Arabejo said, "Thank you so much for showing every chubby little brown girl in the world that there is always a girl to look up to. This doesn’t break me. This doesn’t end me. This is not the last of me." Her words have been widely shared and celebrated by fans, who admired her confidence and resilience.
As noted by The New York Times, Castro-Arabejo was known for her sharp wit and humour, which often shone through in her appearances on "RuPaul’s Drag Race". In one memorable episode, she called out fellow contestant Lashauwn Beyond for not knowing how to apply her makeup, to which Beyond responded, "This is not ‘RuPaul’s Best Friend Race’". The line has since become a catchphrase among fans of the show.
Castro-Arabejo’s success on "RuPaul’s Drag Race" led to her becoming a judge on the show’s Philippines version, which she began working on in 2022. She also had a recurring role as a clothing shopkeeper, Veronica Ferocity, on the FX series "Pose", which explored the lives of young and older gay, transgender, and drag performer friends in New York City in the 1980s.
Born on November 29, 1980, in San Pedro, Philippines, Castro-Arabejo moved to the United States in 1991 with her mother and brother. She began performing as a drag queen under the name Jiggly Caliente, inspired by the pink spherical character Jigglypuff from the popular "Pokémon" franchise. In 2016, Castro-Arabejo came out as a transgender woman, using her platform to advocate for trans rights and visibility. As The New York Times reported, Castro-Arabejo’s legacy will continue to inspire and empower fans around the world.
The news of Castro-Arabejo’s passing has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry, with fans and fellow performers alike paying tribute to her life and legacy. As the New York Times noted, Castro-Arabejo’s impact on the world of drag and beyond will not be forgotten.
