Drag performer Bianca Castro-Arabejo, known to many as reality television star Jiggly Caliente from RuPaul’s Drag Race, has died aged 44. Her passing occurred on Sunday, just days after her family announced she had been hospitalised with a serious infection.
Castro-Arabejo, who joined Drag Race Philippines as a judge in 2022, had recently withdrawn from plans to appear in the upcoming series following hospitalisation for a “severe infection” and a leg amputation surgery, her family confirmed in a statement posted on her Instagram page.
She passed away early on Sunday, her family said in a further statement.
“A luminous presence in the worlds of entertainment and advocacy, Jiggly Caliente was celebrated for her infectious energy, fierce wit, and unwavering authenticity,” the family’s statement read. “She touched countless lives through her artistry, activism, and the genuine connection she fostered with fans around the world.”
Castro-Arabejo competed in the fourth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race, and later returned for RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars.
“Her talent, truth, and impact will never be forgotten, and her legacy will continue to slay — always,” said a statement from RuPaul’s Drag Race, shared on X (formerly Twitter). “We are holding her family, friends, and fans close in our hearts during this difficult time.”
Born in the Philippines, Castro-Arabejo later emigrated to New York. She began performing in drag around twenty years ago, appearing in competitions and pageants. Her Filipino heritage heavily influenced her work, and she frequently emphasised the importance of representation within the industry. In 2018, she released a hip-hop album entitled T.H.O.T. Process, which included a track featuring rap verses in Tagalog.
During a 2023 episode of Bring Back My Girls, a reality show reuniting various performers from the Drag Race franchise, Castro-Arabejo spoke about the significance of her work as a judge, particularly in relation to her background.
“When it comes to my culture, I live and breathe that I am Filipina,” she said. “I am a proud immigrant woman.”
She publicly came out as transgender in 2016 during a podcast interview, explaining that letters from fans grappling with their own gender identities inspired her decision.
“I wanted to come out because I was ready to come out. I had been living as a trans woman for so long, but I just never told the audience and the fans that,” she shared during a 2018 interview with Billboard. “I was actually transitioning while I was on the show; I just never talked about it. I didn’t want it to be my storyline, because being a trans woman is not what defines me.”
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