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Jiggly Caliente

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Jiggly Caliente
Jiggly Caliente at RuPaul's DragCon LA, 2023
Born(1980-11-29)November 29, 1980
San Pedro, Laguna, Philippines
DiedApril 27, 2025(2025-04-27) (aged 44)
EducationFashion Institute of Technology
Occupations
Television

Bianca Castro-Arabejo (November 29, 1980[1] – April 27, 2025), known professionally as Jiggly Caliente, was a Filipino-American drag performer and entertainer. She rose to prominence after competing on the fourth season of RuPaul's Drag Race (2012) and the sixth season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars (2021). She became a judge on Drag Race Philippines and was also known for her recurring role as Veronica Ferocity in the American drama television series Pose (2018–2021). In addition to appearing on television, she released her debut studio album T.H.O.T. Process in 2018.

Early life and education

Bianca Castro-Arabejo was born in San Pedro, Laguna, in the Philippines on November 29, 1980.[2] During the first grade, she was bullied and body-shamed by a fellow student, and was expelled for stabbing the student's hand with a pencil.[3] Castro later immigrated to the United States in 1991 alongside her mother and brother. She was raised in the Sunnyside neighborhood of Queens, New York. In her junior year of high school she came out to her mother.[4]

As a young child, Castro wanted to become a veterinarian, but later was more interested in being a cartoonist and attended the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) majoring in illustration. She soon realized that "comic books were kind of like a dying art form" and stopped attending.[5]

Drag Race and career

Jiggly Caliente at RuPaul's DragCon LA, 2018

Castro first created her drag persona in 2004 or 2005 on a dare after she came to support a friend who was competing in a drag competition. She named herself after the Pokémon character Jigglypuff and added the Spanish word caliente meaning hot.[6] Jiggly Caliente once worked at the Web, a gay Asian nightclub in New York City known for its sexual services, and stated, "I just don't think anyone should be ashamed for it."[7] She soon began competing in beauty pageants and was crowned as Ms. Asia America 2006, Ms. Mexico New York 2008, and Ms. Universo Latina Plus 2009.[8]

She was announced to be one of thirteen contestants of the fourth season of RuPaul's Drag Race on November 13, 2011. She placed eighth overall, being eliminated in a lip-sync contest by Willam.[9] Jiggly Caliente appeared in archive footage in the finale of the fifth season and made an appearance in the finale of the sixth season, where she asked a viewer question to Bianca Del Rio.[10]

Outside of Drag Race, Caliente was seen in the beginning of the 2012 NewNowNext awards.[11] Her acting career began in 2015 when she played a role in the season-two finale of Broad City as a shop owner.[12] She was one of thirty drag queens featured in Miley Cyrus's 2015 VMA performance.[13] In 2016, she was in the pilot episode of Search Party.[14] In 2017, she made a cameo appearance with fellow Drag Race contestants Bob The Drag Queen, Katya, and Detox in an episode of Playing House.[15] She made an appearance as a backup singer in the music video for Bob The Drag Queen and Alaska's "Yet Another Dig".[16] She played the character Veronica in Pose,[17] appearing in the sixth and eighth episodes of the first season. She later confirmed she would be back for more episodes of the show's second season.

In September 2018, Caliente performed as a background dancer for Christina Aguilera at Opening Ceremony's Spring 2019 runway show alongside other Drag Race contestants.[18] In November 2018, she made an appearance on Saturday Night Live with Drag Race contestant Peppermint, as a Drag Queen for the Garmin GP-Yasss sketch.[19] In 2020, Jiggly Caliente co-hosted Translation, the first talk show on a major network hosted by an all-trans cast.[20]

On May 26, 2021, Caliente was announced to be one of the 13 queens returning for the sixth season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars. She was eliminated in the second episode, placing twelfth overall. She was a main judge for the first three seasons of Drag Race Philippines, which premiered in 2022.[21]

Music

Caliente released her first single, "Fckboi" on March 1, 2018, on her official Vevo channel.[22] She released her debut album, T.H.O.T. Process on March 9, 2018. The twelve-track album features Drag Race contestants Sharon Needles, Peppermint, Alaska, Ginger Minj, Phi Phi O'Hara (Credited as Jaremi Carey) and Manila Luzon. It also features an intro with RuPaul. The album is the first hip-hop-based record by a Drag Race contestant.[23] The music video for the song "All This Body" premiered on November 30, 2018, and featured Alaska, Minj and Isis King.[24]

She also was a featured artist for the first three volumes of the Drag Race Christmas Queens albums. The music video for "Ratchet Christmas" from the first volume was uploaded on December 9, 2015.[25] She contributed to the compilation album Christmas Queens 3 (2017).[26]

Personal life, illness and death

Caliente publicly came out as transgender in 2016.[27][9] Caliente shared her transgender identity for the first time on a podcast, stating that receiving letters from fans who were struggling with their own gender identity helped her to realize she was a trans woman.[28] Two months later, she wrote on Instagram that "our trans brothers and sisters are very much part of our struggle for equality" and publicly encouraged drag race fans to engage in advocacy for trans rights.[29]

On April 24, 2025, Caliente's family revealed in a statement that her right leg had been surgically amputated due to a severe infection.[30] She died in hospital three days later, at age 44.[31]

Some drag artists and social commentators received widespread criticism for how they reacted to the news of Caliente's passing. Former Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies attacked the BBC for publishing Caliente's obituary on the grounds that the network publishes "endless drag stories", which resulted in the Green Party deputy leader Zack Polanski publicly criticizing Davies's comments as "disgusting".[32][33] Similarly, Tyra Sanchez, the winner of RuPaul's Drag Race season 2, was widely criticized after she replied to an ode to Caliente posted by Jaremi Carey with a meme that mocked Caliente for losing her leg prior to her death. Friends and family of Caliente condemned Sanchez's statements, and some commentators made connections to how Sanchez had also made similarly controversial remarks about The Vivienne following her sudden passing months prior in January 2025.[34][35]

Discography

Albums

Title Details
T.H.O.T. Process[36]
  • Released: March 9, 2018
  • Label: Producer Entertainment Group
  • Format: Streaming

Singles

Title Year Album Ref.
"Fckboi" 2018 T.H.O.T. Process [37]
"All This Body"

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2019 The Queens Herself Documentary [38]
2020 Milkwater Gigi Sordide Feature film [38]

Television

Year Title Role Ref.
2010 Ugly Betty Season 4, Episode 13: "Chica and the Man" [39]
2012 RuPaul's Drag Race (season 4) Contestant (8th place) [40]
RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked Herself [41]
2014 RuPaul's Drag Race (season 6) Herself [40]
2015, 2019 Broad City Shop owner, Brunch Drag Queen [40]
2016 Search Party [40]
2018 RuPaul's Drag Race (season 10) Herself, Guest [42]
Saturday Night Live GP-Yasss skit [19]
2018–2021 Pose Veronica Ferocity (12 episodes) [40]
2019 Full Frontal with Samantha Bee Drag Queen
2020–2025 Translation Co-Host [20]
2021 CNN Philippines Herself (guest) [43]
RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars (season 6) Contestant (12th place) [44]
RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked
Good Morning America Herself (guest) [45]
2022–2025 Drag Race Philippines Herself (judge) [46]

Music videos

Year Title Artist Ref.
2011 "Go Off" Sahara Davenport [47]
"Hot Couture" Manila Luzon [48]
2012 "Queen" Xelle [49]
2017 "Yet Another Dig" Bob the Drag Queen [50]
"Let It Snow" Christmas Queens [51]
2018 "Fckboi" Herself [37]
"I Don't Give a F*ck" [52]
"All This Body" [53]
2021 "Gummy Bear" Ginger Minj [54]
2022 "Angle" Willow Pill [55]

Web series

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2014 Ring My Bell Herself Guest [56]
2016 Fashion Photo RuView Guest Co-host [57]
How to Makeup Guest [58]
2016–2018 Hey Qween! Guest; 2 episodes [59][60]
2018 Spillin' the Tea Co-host [61]
2019 Reading Queens Guest [62]
Drag Queen Video Dates [63]
Bootleg Opinions [64]
2021 Whatcha Packin' [65]
Drag Queen Makeup Tutorial [66]
2022 Binge Queens RuPaul's Drag Race: UK series 4 [67]
2023 Bring Back My Girls [68]

See also

References

  1. ^ Coughlan, Joe (April 27, 2025). "Drag queen Jiggly Caliente dies aged 44 after 'severe infection'". The Guardian. Retrieved April 27, 2025. Born on 29 November 1980, Caliente moved from the Philippines to New York when she was a child.
  2. ^ Diaz, Johnny (April 27, 2025). "Jiggly Caliente, RuPaul's Drag Race star and judge, dies at 44". The New York Times. Archived from the original on April 27, 2025. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
  3. ^ McGowan, Elisabeth (April 27, 2025). "Jiggly Caliente: 5 things to know about the late drag performer". Hollywood Life. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
  4. ^ Normal, Abby (August 6, 2014). "Meet Jiggly Caliente from RuPaul's Drag Race 4". Abby Normal. Wordpress. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
  5. ^ Samonte, Jujiin (April 11, 2024). "Chronicling 2 decades of Jiggly Caliente: Unpacking her personal evolution and professional triumphs". Mega. Retrieved April 27, 2025.
  6. ^ Fitzgerald, Christine (February 15, 2019). "Jiggly Caliente: The Socialite Life interview". Socialite Life. Retrieved April 19, 2019.
  7. ^ "On Point with: Jiggly Caliente". Thotyssey. August 20, 2016. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
  8. ^ "Queens on Thrones: Jiggly Caliente". Time Out. Time Out Group. November 21, 2016. Archived from the original on October 21, 2021. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
  9. ^ a b Rudolph, Christopher (June 28, 2021). "Jiggly Caliente: "Janet Jackson Has Never Been Justified on 'Drag Race'"". NewNowNext. Archived from the original on June 28, 2021. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
  10. ^ O'Toole, Scarlett (April 24, 2025). "RuPaul's Drag Race star Jiggly Caliente gets leg amputated after 'serious infection'". The Daily Mirror. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
  11. ^ "Logo's 2012 'NewNowNext Awards': On the scene". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on March 3, 2018. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
  12. ^ "OMG! Jiggly Caliente on The Season Two Finale of Broad City!". WorldOfWonder.net. March 19, 2015. Archived from the original on March 3, 2018. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
  13. ^ Lamour, Joseph. "Meet All 30 Of Miley's Day-Glo Dancers From Her Insane VMA Performance". MTV News. Archived from the original on August 31, 2015. Retrieved June 12, 2019.
  14. ^ "Search Party S1:E1 The Mysterious Disappearance of the Girl No One Knew Recap". GingesBeCray.com. November 26, 2016. Archived from the original on March 3, 2018. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
  15. ^ "Katya, Bob the Drag Queen And Detox Appear On USA's "Playing House"". LOGO News. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
  16. ^ "'RuPaul's Drag Race' Winners Bob the Drag Queen & Alaska Thunderfuck Team Up for 'Yet Another Dig'". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 1, 2018. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
  17. ^ Moylan, Brian. "Pose Recap: Chicken Patty". Vulture.com. New York. Archived from the original on July 9, 2018. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
  18. ^ "We're Still Screaming: Xtina Performs With Drag Queens at NYFW". Paper. September 10, 2018. Archived from the original on April 19, 2023. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
  19. ^ a b Daw, Stephen (September 19, 2018). "Peppermint and Jiggly Caliente Make Road Trips More Fun in Epic 'SNL' Sketch". Billboard. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
  20. ^ a b Ramos, Dino-Ray (March 29, 2021). "OUTtv Media Group Teams With Producer Entertainment Group Launch First LGBTQ+ Apple TV Channel". Deadline. Archived from the original on August 1, 2021. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
  21. ^ Barr, Sabrina (June 24, 2021). "All Stars 6: Jiggly Caliente second Drag Race queen eliminated in emotional scenes – or is she?". Metro. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  22. ^ JigglyCalienteVEVO (March 1, 2018), Jiggly Caliente – FckBoi (Official Music Video), retrieved March 15, 2018
  23. ^ "Jiggly Caliente Is Living Her Truth: 'It's Not a Gimmick, It's My Life'". Billboard. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
  24. ^ "Jiggly Caliente – All This Body ft. Alaska Thunderfuck & Ginger Minj". YouTube. November 30, 2018. Archived from the original on April 22, 2019. Retrieved April 12, 2019.
  25. ^ Producer Entertainment Group/PEG (December 9, 2015), Jiggly Caliente – Ratchet Christmas [Official] from Christmas Queens, archived from the original on March 7, 2017, retrieved March 14, 2018
  26. ^ Christmas Queens 3 by Various Artists, November 17, 2017, archived from the original on February 16, 2018, retrieved September 17, 2018
  27. ^ "The herstory of trans women on RuPaul's Drag Race". Gay Star News. May 4, 2017. Archived from the original on July 30, 2019. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
  28. ^ "Drag performer Jiggly Caliente, known for RuPaul's Drag Race and Pose, dead at 44". CBC News. The Associated Press. April 28, 2025.
  29. ^ Diaz, Johnny (April 27, 2025). "Bianca Castro-Arabejo, 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Star Known as Jiggly Caliente, Dies at 44". The New York Times. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
  30. ^ Duncan, Charlie (April 24, 2025). "RuPaul's Drag Race star Jiggly Caliente suffers 'loss of leg' after 'severe infection'". Pink News.
  31. ^ Spencer-Elliott, Lydia (April 27, 2025). "RuPaul's Drag Race star Jiggly Caliente dies following leg amputation, aged 44". The Independent. Archived from the original on April 27, 2025. Retrieved April 27, 2025.
  32. ^ Wratten, Marcus (April 30, 2025). "Sharron Davies slams BBC for covering death of Drag Race star Jiggly Caliente: 'Endless drag stories'". Pink News. Retrieved April 29, 2025.
  33. ^ Canagasuriam, Danielle (April 30, 2025). "Backlash after Drag Race star's obituary used as 'heartless' dig by Olympic swimmer". The Daily Mirror. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
  34. ^ "Tyra Slammed By Fans For Disgusting Comments Following Jiggly Caliente's Death". IN Magazine. April 28, 2025.
  35. ^ Jupp, Lydia. "Tyra Shares Offensive Post Following Death of Jiggly Caliente". The Star Observer. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
  36. ^ "T.H.O.T. Process". Spotify. March 9, 2018. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
  37. ^ a b Youtt, Henry (July 13, 2018). "Jiggly Caliente Talks 'Pose' Cameo and New Music: 'I Am Going For It All'". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 23, 2025.
  38. ^ a b "Jiggly Caliente dies aged 44: 'Her legacy will continue to slay'". Attitude. April 27, 2025. Archived from the original on April 28, 2025.
  39. ^ Wratten, Marcus (March 28, 2025). "Michelle Visage leads tributes to Drag Race star Jiggly Caliente following her tragic death". PinkNews. Archived from the original on April 28, 2025.
  40. ^ a b c d e Weprin, Alex (April 27, 2025). "Jiggly Caliente, 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Contestant and 'Pose' Star, Dies at 44". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on April 28, 2025.
  41. ^ Kreps, Daniel (April 27, 2025). "Jiggly Caliente, 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Star, Dead at 44". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 29, 2025.
  42. ^ Damshenas, Sam (March 22, 2018). "Watch Drag Race fan favourites return for the season 10 premiere". Gay Times. Archived from the original on June 6, 2021. Retrieved June 5, 2021.
  43. ^ Fil-Am Drag Queen Jiggy Caliente joins 'Rupaul's Drag Race All Stars 6' | Newday. CNN Philippines. June 2, 2021. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
  44. ^ Del Rosario, Alexandra (May 26, 2021). "'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars' Moves From VH1 To Paramount+; Lineup Of Returning Queens Unveiled". Deadline. Archived from the original on May 26, 2021. Retrieved May 26, 2021.
  45. ^ 'RuPaul's Drag Race' all-stars join GMA3. Good Morning America. July 7, 2021. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
  46. ^ Sim, Bernardo (May 16, 2022). "Jiggly Caliente Booked a Judging Gig on a New Drag Race Franchise". Out. Archived from the original on May 16, 2022. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  47. ^ "NEW VIDEO: Sahara Davenport & Manila Luzon". New Now Next. November 17, 2011. Archived from the original on December 20, 2011. Retrieved May 12, 2012.
  48. ^ "Manila Luzon -- Hot Couture (Original Video)". YouTube. January 26, 2012. Archived from the original on January 27, 2012.
  49. ^ "Xelle ft Mimi Imfurst Queen Official Music Video". YouTube. December 19, 2012. Archived from the original on December 21, 2012.
  50. ^ "Yet Another Dig – Bob the Drag Queen Feat. Alaska Thunderfuck". YouTube. October 27, 2017. Archived from the original on November 6, 2017.
  51. ^ Rudolph, Christopher (November 17, 2017). "The "Christmas Queens" Are On Santa's Naughty List In New "Let It Snow" Music Video". NewNowNext.com. Archived from the original on December 21, 2019. Retrieved December 21, 2019.
  52. ^ Rudolph, Christopher (March 12, 2018). "Jiggly Caliente Gives Dust To The Haters In Fierce New Music Video". NewNowNext. Archived from the original on December 4, 2020. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
  53. ^ Piedra, Xavier (November 30, 2018). "Jiggly Caliente Tackles Body Standards With Alaska & Ginger Minj in 'All This Body': Watch". Billboard. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  54. ^ Nolfi, Joey (June 25, 2021). "Ginger Minj serves 'Gummy Bear' realness in new video for her RuPaul's Drag Race talent show song". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on June 25, 2021. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  55. ^ "Willow Pill – Angle (feat. Kornbread) Official Music Video". Youtube.com. June 8, 2022. Archived from the original on June 8, 2022. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
  56. ^ Jiggly Caliente on Ring My Bell. YouTube. May 11, 2014. Archived from the original on June 21, 2023. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
  57. ^ RuPaul's Drag Race Fashion Photo RuView with Raja and Jiggly Caliente: Pop Divas. YouTube. June 22, 2016. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
  58. ^ HOW TO MAKEUP: Jiggly Caliente – "Bronz-Her". YouTube. October 13, 2016. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
  59. ^ Jiggly Caliente Uncut Part 1 On Hey Qween with Jonny McGovern. YouTube. June 20, 2016. Archived from the original on June 20, 2016.
  60. ^ Jiggly Caliente on Hey Qween! with Jonny McGovern. YouTube. June 11, 2018. Archived from the original on June 12, 2023.
  61. ^ Spillin' The Tea: Is Jiggly Team Nicki or Team Cardi? 'Drag Race' Queens On Celebs | Billboard Pride. YouTube. November 8, 2018. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
  62. ^ Jiggly Caliente: Reading Queens with Psychic Char Margolis. YouTube. May 9, 2019. Archived from the original on August 29, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
  63. ^ Drag Queen Video Dates: Jiggly Caliente. YouTube. October 3, 2019. Archived from the original on November 12, 2019. Retrieved October 4, 2019.
  64. ^ JIGGLY CALIENTE joins Bootleg Opinions x Drag Race UK Season 1: The Grand Finale!. YouTube. November 23, 2019. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
  65. ^ Whatcha Packin' | AS6 E02 | RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars. YouTube. June 25, 2021. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  66. ^ Jiggly Caliente's 2.0 Brand Ru Look 💖 Ruvealing the Look | RuPaul's Drag Race AS6. YouTube. June 29, 2021. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
  67. ^ SPOILER ALERT: Binge Queens – RuPaul's Drag Race UK Season 4, Episode 1 Preview. YouTube. September 28, 2022. Archived from the original on September 29, 2022. Retrieved September 29, 2022.
  68. ^ Bring Back My Girls: RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 6. WOW Presents Plus. December 13, 2023. Archived from the original on November 12, 2024.
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