Bianca Castro-Arabejo, better known as Jiggly Caliente, passed away at the age of 44, according to her family.
The performer, who rose to prominence on the fourth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race, had a portion of her leg amputated on Thursday due to a “severe infection”.
Caliente previously served as a judge on the show’s Philippines spin-off and appeared in the popular US television series Pose.
Her family issued a statement on Instagram: “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.”
They said she died “surrounded by her loving family and close friends” in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Caliente’s family praised her “infectious energy, fierce wit, and unwavering authenticity,” and noted that she left a legacy of “love, courage, and light.”
“She touched countless lives through her artistry, activism, and the genuine connection she fostered with fans around the world,” their comments read.
“Though her physical presence is gone, the joy she shared and the space she helped create for so many will remain forever.”
Fellow drag queens have paid tribute to the Filipino-American entertainer online.
Caliente was described as a “kind, caring soul” by Laganja Estranja, who appeared in the sixth season of the US reality TV show.
Baga Chipz of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK described Caliente as “one of the kindest, sweetest souls I’ve ever met”.
Cheryl The Queen, who also competed in the UK version of the show, wrote, “We will love you forever and always, Jiggly.”
Tia Kofi, winner of Drag Race UK versus the World, said Caliente was “someone I came to for advice, I looked up to, who gave me support when it was most needed, and, I cannot lie, was always there for a good gossip!”
In her tribute, Drag Race judge Michelle Visage said, “The laughter was endless, our conversations were special, and your energy was contagious.”
“You were and continue to be deeply loved. “This world has lost an angel, and we want you to soar high,” she concluded.
Caliente was born in the Philippines in 1980 and moved to Queens, New York City, with her family as a child.
When she first appeared on RuPaul’s Drag Race in 2012, she soon became a fan favourite due to her sense of comedy and unique encounters with other queens.
During a particularly memorable argument with Caliente, fellow contestant Lashauwn Beyond coined the catchphrase “this is not RuPaul’s Best Friend Race,” which has been frequently repeated in subsequent seasons.
Caliente went on to pursue an acting career, appearing in episodes of the sitcoms Broad City and Search Party.
She played Veronica in Pose, a television drama about New York’s LGBT ball culture in the 1980s and 1990s.
Caliente, who openly revealed her transgender identity in 2016, subsequently returned to the Drag Race universe, competing in the sixth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars in 2021 and judging the spin-off show Drag Race Philippines for three seasons.
Prior to her death, the drag performer’s family stated on Thursday that she had suffered a “serious health setback” that resulted in the loss of “most of her right leg”.
