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Drag Icon Jiggly Caliente dies at 44

Clarence Roi Gillego

Push Team

<p>Filipino American Drag Icon Jiggly Caliente has passed away, her family announced on Instagram on Sunday, April 27. She was 44. </p><p>The drag artist&#x27;s right leg was amputated days prior to her death.</p><p>Jiggly, whose real name was Bianca Castro-Arabejo, died around 4:42 a.m. in the arms of her family and close friends.  </p><div><br/></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-14" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DI8mSPCxdYh/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=580&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A14%2C%22os%22%3A5231685.200000003%2C%22ls%22%3A192289.20000000298%2C%22le%22%3A192292.09999999404%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1236" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-14" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>In the statement, her family honored Jiggly’s contribution to the entertainment industry as a drag artist.  </p><p>“A luminous presence in the worlds of entertainment and advocacy, Jiggly Caliente was celebrated for her infectious energy, fierce wit, and unwavering authenticity. She touched countless lives through her artistry, activism, and the genuine connection she fostered with fans around the world,” her family wrote. </p><p>“Her legacy is one of love, courage, and light. Though her physical presence is gone, the joy she shared and the space she helped create for so many will remain forever,” they added. </p><p> Jiggly’s death comes after her family’s announcement on Tuesday, April 24, that that she had her right leg amputated due to a “severe infection.” </p><p>“She will be deeply missed, always loved, and eternally remembered,” her family said.  </p><p>In the previous announcement, her family announced that Jiggly will not be appearing in the upcoming season of <em>Drag Race Philippines</em> where she sat as judge in its previous seasons. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/4/25/jiggly-caliente-has-right-leg-amputated-after-severe-infection-1050"><strong>READ: Jiggly Caliente has right leg amputated after severe infection</strong></a></div><p>Jiggly’s family also appealed to the public for the drag icon’s privacy.  </p><p>“At this time, we kindly ask for privacy for Bianca and her family as they navigate this difficult journey together. While Jiggly concentrates on healing, we invite her friends, fans, and community to uplift her with messages of hope and love on her social media channels. Bianca&#x27;s family and drag house are deeply grateful for the continued outpouring of support, strength, and prayers,” her family wrote in the statement.  </p><p>Jiggly competed in the fourth season of <em>RuPaul’s Drag Rac</em>e in 2011. In 2021, she made a comeback for the show’s All Stars edition.  </p>

<p>Drag Race Philippines judge Jiggly Caliente has passed away at the age of 44. The drag artist's right leg was amputed days prior to her death.</p>

Drag Race Philippines judge Jiggly Caliente has passed away at the age of 44. The drag artist's right leg was amputed days prior to her death.