Bianca Castro-Arebejo, known to many as Jiggly Caliente, has passed away at the age of 44. Her family shared the heartbreaking news on April 27, 2025, stating that she died peacefully at 4:42 a.m., surrounded by family and close friends.
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Jiggly Caliente first rose to public attention as a contestant on Season 4 of RuPaul’s Drag Race in 2011, later returning for All Stars 6.
Born in San Pedro, Laguna, Philippines, Bianca moved to the U.S. in 1991 at the age of 10, settling with her mother and brother in Queens, New York. Her early life, marked by both struggle and strength, shaped the bold performer she would become.
In 2022, Jiggly became a main judge on Drag Race Philippines, a role she held through Season 3 in 2024. Her presence on the panel helped elevate the local drag scene and gave many Filipino queens a platform to shine.
Just days before her death, her family announced that she had undergone a right-leg amputation due to a severe infection and would not appear to judge Drag Race Philippines. Three days later, in the early morning of April 27, she passed away.
Fellow queens and fans have mourned her loss. Lady Morgana, Miss Congeniality of Drag Race Philippines Season 1, told us via Instagram that the last time she spoke with Jiggly was in March when she moved to Quezon City. With a heavy heart, she said:
I lost a big sister who always cheered me up. We were each other’s happy pill. Mahal na mahal ko siya. I’ll always wear rhinestones on my nose in remembrance of her.
Lady Morgana
Manila Luzon is heartbroken by the loss of Jiggly Caliente, her best friend of 25 years. Proud of everything Jiggly achieved—from winning pageants and competing on Drag Race, to touring the world, making music, acting on Pose, and serving as a judge on Drag Race Philippines. She uplifted the trans and Filipino communities, nurtured a loving drag family, and carried on her mother’s legacy with strength and authenticity.
Rupaul’s Drag Race posted on Instagram about the loss of Jiggly Caliente, a beloved part of the Drag Race family. Her talent and impact will always be remembered. Our thoughts are with her loved ones and fans.
Jiggly Caliente may not have always fit into expectations, but she never stopped being true to herself. Her legacy lives on in the space she helped create—for queer people, for trans voices, and for drag artists everywhere.
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