NCS
—
Jiggly Caliente, a performer and actress who rose to prominence as a contestant on “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” has died, based on an announcement from her household. She was 44.
The actuality TV persona, whose actual title was Bianca Castro-Arabejo, died on Sunday and was “surrounded by her loving family and close friends,” based on her household’s statement, which was posted to her verified Instagram web page.
“A luminous presence in the worlds of entertainment and advocacy, Jiggly Caliente was celebrated for her infectious energy, fierce wit, and unwavering authenticity,” the assertion learn. “She touched countless lives through her artistry, activism and the genuine connection she fostered with fans around the world.”
A reason behind loss of life has not but been confirmed, however her household said in an announcement days earlier than her loss of life that Castro-Arabejo had “experienced a serious health setback” and had her proper leg amputated as a result of a “severe infection.”
Her restoration was anticipated to be in depth, the assertion, posted to her Instagram, mentioned.
NCS has reached out to a consultant for Castro-Arabejo and a member of her household for extra remark.
Castro-Arabejo was finest recognized for competing on Season 4 of “Drag Race” in 2012. Though eradicated at the time, she later returned to look within the 2021 “All Stars” season.
“We are devastated by the passing of Jiggly Caliente, a cherished member of the Drag Race family,” a statement posted to the official “Drag Race” Instagram learn. “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.”
In 2022, Castro-Arabejo grew to become a decide on “RuPaul’s Drag Race Philippines,” serving in that place till 2024. Castro-Arabejo was unable to look as a decide on the upcoming season of the collection due to her well being troubles, based on her household.
With her sights set on appearing after discovering actuality TV fame, Castro-Arabejo auditioned for Ryan Murphy’s FX collection “Pose,” finally scoring a recurring visitor star function.
“There’s a stigma with reality TV personalities who want to be actors, and that’s why, when I auditioned for Pose, I didn’t audition as Jiggly Caliente, I auditioned as Bianca,” she instructed Entertainment Weekly in a 2021 interview. “I didn’t want people to box me in as a reality star. I wanted people to give me a fair shot.”
In 2016, Castro-Arabejo came out as trans on the Grizzly Kiki podcast and later mentioned she hoped to encourage the queer group within the Philippines.
“I never saw anyone like me growing up,” mentioned in a 2024 interview. “To be one of the first trans-Filipinas cast on a Ryan Murphy show, despite the fact that I barely had any lines, it was an important milestone for representation.”
Castro-Arabejo was happy with her Filipino heritage, telling Billboard in a 2018 interview that “my culture is very very important to me.”
“I was living here in America when my mom told me to remember who I was. She really wanted me to remember where I come from,” she instructed the publication. “There’s a whole lot of beautiful Filipinos out there, but I wanted to show them that the language is also cute, and I love it!”