RuPaul’s Drag Race Star Jiggly Caliente Dies at 44 Following Leg Amputation and Infection

Philippines-born Caliente immigrated to US 20 years ago. In 2018 she released a hip-hop album that includes track where she raps in Tagalog

Drag performer Bianca Castro-Arabejo, famously recognized as reality TV star Jiggly Caliente, RuPaul's Drag Race She passed away on Sunday at the age of 44, just days following her family announced she had been admitted to the hospital due to a severe infection.

Arabijo, who went on to become a judge, Drag Race Philippines In 2022, following a recent hospitalization due to a "severe infection" and subsequent leg amputation surgery, she canceled her plans to participate in the upcoming season. Her family announced this via a statement posted on her Instagram account.

Her family announced in yet another statement that she passed away early on Sunday.

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"A luminous presence in the worlds of entertainment and advocacy, Jiggly Caliente was celebrated for her infectious energy, fierce wit, and unwavering authenticity," her family said Sunday. "She touched countless lives through her artistry, activism, and the genuine connection she fostered with fans around the world."

Castro-Arabejo participated in the fourth season of RuPaul's Drag Race and later on RuPaul's Drag Race Allstars .

"A statement read, 'Her talent, honesty, and influence will never fade, and her legacy will forever remain legendary,'" stated the announcement. RuPaul's Drag Race Posted on social media: "Our thoughts are with her family, friends, and fans as we navigate this challenging period together."

Castro-Arabejo was born in the Philippines and later moved to New York. Her career in drag began roughly two decades ago when she participated in various contests and pageants. She highlighted how her background shaped her artistry and stressed the significance of diversity within the field. In 2018, she launched a hip-hop album titled T.H.O.T. Process including a song where she performs rap in Tagalog.

In an episode of the reality show from 2023 Bring Back My Girls , which brings together various performers from the Drag Race Castro-Arabejo mentioned that her role as a judge held significance due to her background.

"When it comes to my heritage, being Filipino is central to who I am; I fully embrace this identity,” she stated. “I am a proud female immigrant.”

In 2016, she openly revealed her transition to transgender status during a podcast episode, largely due to receiving letters from fans grappling with their own gender identities.

"I wanted to come out because I was ready to come out. I have been living as a trans woman for so long, but I just never told the audience and the fans that," she said in a 2018 Billboard interview. "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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