Drag Queen Jiggly Caliente Dies Aged 44 After Severe Infection
The drag queen community is in mourning following the news that Jiggly Caliente, a popular performer who rose to fame after taking part in the fourth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race, has died aged 44. According to a statement from her family, Caliente passed away on Sunday at 4.42am "surrounded by her loving family and close friends" after suffering a severe infection.
Caliente’s family announced on Thursday that she had undergone a leg amputation due to the infection, but sadly, she was unable to recover. In a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, her family described Caliente as a "luminous presence" in the worlds of entertainment and advocacy, adding that she would be deeply missed and eternally remembered. "She touched countless lives through her artistry, activism, and the genuine connection she fostered with fans around the world," they wrote. "Though her physical presence is gone, the joy she shared and the space she helped create for so many will remain for ever."
The news of Caliente’s passing has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry, with many of her colleagues and friends paying tribute to her. Michelle Visage, a BBC Radio 2 DJ and RuPaul’s Drag Race judge, took to Instagram to express her grief, writing: "My jiggles …. The laughter was endless, our talks were special, your energy was contagious. You were and remain so very loved. This world has lost an angel and we want you to soar high ….. I love you so much honey." Visage’s heartfelt message is just one of many tributes that have been pouring in for Caliente, who was known for her infectious sense of humour and her dedication to her craft.
Born Bianca Castro-Arabejo on 29 November 1980, Caliente moved from the Philippines to New York with her family when she was a child. She began her drag career in the early 2000s and quickly gained a reputation for her impressive lip-syncs and comedic timing. In 2012, she competed on the fourth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race, impressing judges with her sense of humour and creativity, but ultimately being eliminated before the final. Despite not winning the competition, Caliente went on to become a beloved figure in the drag community, known for her kindness, generosity, and passion for her craft.
In recent years, Caliente had appeared on several other TV shows, including RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars season six, and had been appointed as a judge on the spin-off programme Drag Race Philippines, which began airing in 2022. Her death has been met with an outpouring of tributes from the show’s producers and castmates, who have described her as a "tremendous loss" to the Drag Race family. "Jiggly’s humour, love, and light touched so many in the Drag Race family and beyond," a statement from the show’s producers read. "Her legacy will continue to uplift the communities she advocated for."
The drag community has been hit by a number of high-profile deaths in recent years, including the passing of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK stars Cherry Valentine, 28, and The Vivienne, 32, as well as US competitors Sahara Davenport, 27, and Chi Chi DeVayne, 34. Caliente’s death serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing the time we have with loved ones. As the news of her passing continues to sink in, fans and colleagues around the world are coming together to celebrate her life and legacy. According to The Guardian, the family of Jiggly Caliente confirmed her passing, and tributes have been flooding in from all over the world.
