(WJW) — “RuPaul’s Drag Race” star Bianca Castro, better known as drag performer Jiggly Caliente, has died.
Castro’s family announced that she died Sunday morning.
Castro recently underwent surgery and had most of her leg amputated following a “severe infection”, family members said.
After having most of her right leg amputated, she passed away, the family said.
“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.”
Born in the Philippines, Castro-Arabejo immigrated to New York. She started working in drag about 20 years ago, appearing in competitions and pageants. She noted the influence of her upbringing in her work and its importance for representation in the industry. In 2018, she released a hip-hop album called “T.H.O.T. Process,” including a track where she raps in Tagalog.
During a 2023 episode of reality show “Bring Back My Girls,” which reunites different performers from the “Drag Race” franchise, Castro-Arabejo said her work as a judge was important because of her heritage.
“When it comes to my culture, I live and breathe that I am Filipina,” she said. “I am a proud immigrant woman.”
She publicly came out as transgender in 2016 on a podcast, partly because she said she received letters from fans who were struggling 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.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.