Ronnabelle Lora

Jiggly Caliente: A drag superstar and a warrior

Article (news)

Clarence Roi Gillego

Push Team

<p>At the wee hours of April 27, 2025, the international drag community lost an icon and a source of inspiration.  </p><p>Filipino-American Drag Superstar Jiggly Caliente has passed away in the arms of her loved ones and closest friends at the age of 44, as announced by her family on Instagram.</p><div><br/></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-42" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DAoTURKyF87/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A42%2C%22os%22%3A25456138.19999993%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="882" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-42" 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><p>Her sudden death comes days after her family announced her “serious health setback” that led to the amputation of her right leg due to a “severe infection.” </p><p>Behind her distinctive humor and immeasurable talent that the drag community greatly adored, Jiggly, whose real name was Bianca Castro-Arabejo, was a warrior who fought for the causes she believed in.  </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/4/27/drag-icon-jiggly-caliente-dies-at-44-2017"><strong>READ: Drag Icon Jiggly Caliente dies at 44</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>Humble Beginnings </strong></div><p>Born on November 29, 1980, Jiggly’s roots can be traced to the town of San Pedro in Laguna.  At an early age, she moved to New York City in the United States along with her family — the place where her career as a drag artist began and blossomed.  </p><p>In an interview with Mega Magazine in 2024, Jiggly painted a picture of how her childhood was.  </p><p>This drag icon’s childhood was no different from many queer kids. In the interview, she revealed that as a child, she used to turn blankets into mermaid tails and towels into hair extensions.</p><p>Although she did not figure it out yet, the little Jiggly knew deep down inside that something was different.  </p><p>“This isn’t me. Parang may mali and never was I happy,” she told Mega Magazine.  </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><div><br/></div><div><strong>Evolution</strong></div><p>Jiggly had to explore first before she finally realized that she was a transwoman. </p><p>In the Mega Magazine interview, she revealed that she came out to her mother three times. </p><div><br/></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-43" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DAVXV_1xcUJ/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A43%2C%22os%22%3A25456152.600000024%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="882" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-43" 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>She first introduced herself as bisexual to somehow hide her identity. “Para patago ng kaunti,” she told the magazine.  </p><p>She later came out as gay, until she found her true gender identity and publicly came out in 2016.</p><p>“When I was about 26 or 27, [I told my mother] ‘Ma, I think babae ako talaga.’ My mom understood that easier,” she told Mega Magazine. </p><p>In a 2018 Billboard interview, Jiggly set the record straight about the declaration she made in 2016: “It’s not a gimmick, it’s my life.” </p><p>“I wanted to make sure that if I was going to come out as a trans woman, I wanted to do it right, and I didn’t want it to be about <em>Drag Race</em>. I wanted to come out because I was ready to come out,” she told Billboard.  </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Legacy</strong></div><p>Jiggly’s remarkable career as a drag icon had its humble beginnings as well.  She chose her name after her favorite Pokémon, Jigglypuff. </p><p>In 2012, she competed in the fourth season of the award-winning show <em>RuPaul’s Drag Race</em> where she finished 8th place.</p><p>Armed with determination, Jiggly returned to the show in 2021 for <em>RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars. </em>While<em></em> she was eliminated in its second episode, Jiggly remained steadfast and confident in herself. </p><p>“Thank you so much for showing every chubby little brown girl in the world that there is always a girl to look up to,” she told RuPaul after her elimination in 2021. “This doesn’t break me. This doesn’t end me. This is not the last of me.”</p><div><br/></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-44" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DA6dklfSlS9/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A44%2C%22os%22%3A25456162.399999976%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="882" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-44" 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 2022, she sat as judge during the debut season of<em> Drag Race Philippines,</em> the local adaptation of the US-based show hosted by Paulo Ballesteros. </p><p>Since then, she became a resident judge, making the show more fun and meaningful with her humor and wisdom.  </p><p>In an interview with Mega Magazine, she shared how she valued her involvement in the show.  </p><p>“I see myself in all the girls, not because I’m Filipino but because I was in their shoes.” she told the magazine. “I may be the sassy judge, but I would never say anything to any of the girls that would scar them or like hurt their feelings because your art is your baby—your drag is your baby.” </p><p>Jiggly’s drag career has also been an inspiration to aspiring queens who are plus sized and with brown-colored skin like her, as she served as a representation for many.  </p><p>She, however, had a humbled take on being a representation. “I don’t ever think that I had influence even though I get a lot of messages from Filipinos and plus-size girls or trans girls that say I have somehow impacted their lives because they saw me on the show,” she said in the same magazine. </p><p>Outside of the drag scene, Jiggly notably played the role of Veronica Ferocity in the series <em>Pose</em>. She also appeared in the sitcoms <em>Broad City </em>and <em>Search Party</em>. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Drag Community tribute</strong></div><p>Following the announcement of her death, the international Drag community has paid tribute to the legacy that Jiggly has left behind.</p><div><br/></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-45" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DI9E-QnJVu_/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A45%2C%22os%22%3A25457471.799999952%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="747" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-45" 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>“We are devastated by the passing of Jiggly Caliente, a cherished member of the <em>Drag Race </em>family. Her talent, truth, and impact will never be forgotten, and her legacy will continue to slay—always. We’re holding her family, friends, and fans close in our hearts during this difficult time,” <em>RuPaul’s Drag Race</em> said in a statement.  </p><div><br/></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-46" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DI9AcPct0gO/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A46%2C%22os%22%3A25457493.399999976%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="882" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-46" 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>Meanwhile,<em> Drag Race Philippines</em> stated: “Jiggly’s humor, love, and light touched so many in the <em>Drag Race</em> family and beyond. Her legacy will continue to uplift the communities she advocated for.”</p><div><br/></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-47" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DI-QX_sy6Ym/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A47%2C%22os%22%3A25457521.5%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="894" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-47" 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>Filipino Drag Superstar Marina Summers, who raised the Philippine flag at the international stage just like Jiggly, penned a heartfelt message for the late icon.  </p><p>“Ate Bianca, thank you for the gift of genuine friendship,” Marina said. “I will miss your random memes, funny reels, and endless phone calls despite our time differences. You have played an important role in my life as a genuine friend, a sister, a cheerleader, a mentor. And I will continue to make you proud wherever you are ate.”</p><div><br/></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-48" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DI-L75FyaDY/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A48%2C%22os%22%3A25458146.799999952%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="882" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-48" 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>Fashion designer Rajo Laurel, who also served as guest judge in <em>Drag Race PH</em>, also penned an emotional message for Jiggly.  </p><p>“Oh my dearest @jigglycalienteofficial I will miss you so much,” he said. “I will miss your incredibly devilish infectious laughter, I will miss your absolute authenticity, I will miss your amazing generosity. I have witnessed this myself.] </p><p>Michelle Visage, another <em>Drag Race</em> judge, remembered special moments with Jiggly. ”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.”</p><div><br/></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-49" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DI87riEpmzw/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A49%2C%22os%22%3A25458212.100000024%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="730" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-49" 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 her Instagram story,<em> Drag Race UK vs the World</em> winner Tia Kofi mourned the loss, saying “We have lost a genuinely kind, caring human being“. She also described Jiggly as &quot;someone I came to for advice, I looked up to, who gave me support when it was most needed and, I cannot lie, was always there for a good gossip!&quot;</p><p>June Jambalaya, Jiggly’s “drag daughter“, also gave a heartwarming tribute as she thanked Jiggly for choosing her to be part of her family. She recalled how, in Jiggly’s final moments, she grieved together with Jiggly’s blood family. </p><p>“Jiggly wasn‘t just my drag mother she was my safe place, my human diary, my compass when I was lost. She showed me that beating the odds was possible because she had, and she believed I could too, even when I couldn’t see it for myself,” she said. “I promise you, I will keep fighting for the dreams you always told me I deserved. I love you so much, Ma.“ <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DI8zv3xRvJh/?igsh=MWEwYzBtNnNocWJoNw=="></a></p><div><br/></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-50" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DI8zv3xRvJh/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A50%2C%22os%22%3A25458856.600000024%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="856" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-50" 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>Jiggly may have left but her “luminous presence,” as her family described it, will not just be missed but will forever be remembered.  </p>

<p>The international drag community is mourning the death of one of its icons, Jiggly Caliente. Take a look at her incredible and inspiring journey as a drag superstar. </p>

The international drag community is mourning the death of one of its icons, Jiggly Caliente. Take a look at her incredible and inspiring journey as a drag superstar.