Jiggly Caliente Has Died

April 27, 2025• byMichael Strangeways

Terrible news to report from the world of RuPaul’s Drag Race…popular Season 4 contestant of the hit drag queen competition show, JIGGLY CALIENTE, passed away this weekend. Her family made the announcement on social media:

It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of Bianca Castro-Arabejo, known to the world and cherished by many as Jiggly Caliente. Bianca passed away peacefully on April 27, 2025, at 4:42 am, surrounded by her loving family and close friends.
A luminous presence in the worlds of entertainment and advocacy, Jiggly Caliente was celebrated for her infectious energy, fierce wit, and unwavering authenticity. She touched countless lives through her artistry, activism, and the genuine connection she fostered with fans around the world.
Her legacy is one of love, courage, and light. Though her physical presence is gone, the joy she shared and the space she helped create for so many will remain forever.
She will be deeply missed, always loved, and eternally remembered.
In Loving Memory of Bianca Castro-Arabejo (Jiggly Caliente)
November 29, 1980 – April 27, 2025

The 44 year old Filipino-American performer was born in the Philippines and emigrated to the United States with her family in 1991 where they settled in the New York borough of Queens. Jiggly began doing drag circa 2004 and quickly established herself as a competitive drag pageant performer winning several titles. After competing in RPDR in 2011, Jiggly began her international career. She competed in RPDR All-Stars Season 6 and secured a role on the Ryan Murphy FX series Pose after coming out as transgender in 2016. For the last 4 years, Jiggly was a main judge on Drag Race Philippines. She was in the Philippines when she was struck down by an infection that resulted in the loss of a leg last week, and tragically, her life on Sunday.

A toast to Jiggly Caliente/Bianca Castro-Arabejo a great entertainer and drag star.

Salud.

About the Author: Michael Strangeways

As the Editorial Director/Co-Owner, Michael Strangeways writes, edits and does about a million other jobs for Seattle Gay Scene, Puget Sound's most visited LGBTQ news, arts and entertainment website now celebrating its 14th year as a media outlet. A semi-proud Midwesterner by birth, he's lived in Seattle since 2000. He's also a film producer who would like you to check out the Jinkx Monsoon documentary, "Drag Becomes Him" now available on Amazon.com. In his spare time, he gets slightly obsessive about his love for old movies, challenging theater, "otters", vodka, chocolate, "I,Claudius", Lizzie Borden, real books made out of paper, disaster films, show tunes, Weimar era Germany, flea markets, pop surrealistic art, the sex lives of Hollywood actors both living and dead, kitties, chicken fried steak, haute couture and David Bowie. But, not necessarily in that order.