Jiggly Caliente death was confirmed Sunday when her family announced that Bianca Castro-Arabejo, the beloved RuPaul’s Drag Race contestant known for her infectious energy and fierce authenticity, passed away at age 44 surrounded by loved ones. The performer—who first rose to fame on Season 4 of the hit reality series—leaves behind a legacy of artistry, activism, and trailblazing representation.
Jiggly Caliente Death Follows Serious Health Setback
Just days before her passing, Castro-Arabejo’s family revealed she had “experienced a serious health setback” that required the amputation of her right leg due to a “severe infection.” Her recovery was expected to be extensive, yet no official jiggly caliente cause of death has been confirmed.
- She underwent emergency surgery to remove her right leg after the infection threatened her life.
- Family statements described her as “a luminous presence in the worlds of entertainment and advocacy.”
- CNN and other outlets have reached out to her representatives for further details on her final days.
This tragic turn came on the heels of profound personal losses. In 2024, Bianca lost her brother Alexander to a senseless act of violence and later helped care for her mother through a suicide attempt—events she shared candidly to raise funds and awareness.
Trailblazing Career from Drag Race to “Pose”
Bianca Castro-Arabejo first captured the public’s imagination on Drag Race Season 4 (2012), where she showcased her wit and charisma. She returned for the 2021 “All Stars” season, solidifying her status as a fan favorite. In 2022, she expanded her influence as a judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race Philippines, a role she held until 2024 before health concerns forced her to step back.
Beyond reality TV, she broke into scripted drama with a recurring role on Ryan Murphy’s FX series Pose. Reflecting on the transition, she told Entertainment Weekly in 2021,
“There’s a stigma with reality TV personalities who want to be actors, and that’s why, when I auditioned for Pose, I auditioned as Bianca. I didn’t want people to box me in as a reality star.”
Her visibility as one of the first trans-Filipina performers on a major American series marked an important milestone for LGBTQ+ representation.
A Proud Advocate and Cultural Ambassador
In 2016, on the Grizzly Kiki podcast, Castro-Arabejo publicly came out as trans. She dedicated herself to uplifting the queer Filipino community, saying in a 2024 interview,
“I never saw anyone like me growing up… To be one of the first trans-Filipinas cast on a Ryan Murphy show was an important milestone for representation.”
She spoke passionately about her heritage. To Billboard in 2018, she explained,
“My culture is very, very important to me… I wanted to show them that the language is also cute, and I love it!”
Family Statement and Community Tributes
The family’s message on her verified Instagram page called her an “infectious energy” whose “legacy will continue to slay—always.” Drag Race itself mourned her passing:
“We are devastated by the passing of Jiggly Caliente… Her talent, truth, and impact will never be forgotten, and her legacy will continue to slay.”
Fans, colleagues and LGBTQ+ advocates across jiggly caliente news channels have flooded social media with memories of her humor, warmth, and groundbreaking work.
As the drag and entertainment communities reel from the news, Bianca Castro-Arabejo’s life stands as a testament to resilience, creativity, and the power of authenticity. Her journey—from reality-show contestant to cultural trailblazer—underscores the impact one individual can have on fans around the globe.
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