Jiggly Caliente ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Alumna Dies At 44

Early Sunday morning, the reputable performer, activist, actress, trailblazer and RuPaul’s Drag Race alum Bianca Castro passed away peacefully at the age of 44, surrounded by her family and close friends. The news broke shortly after a report that she had been hospitalized with a severe infection. With a career that spanned over twenty years, the world was first introduced to Bianca, also know by her stage name “Jiggly Caliente,” on the fourth season of Drag Race, placing eighth overall in the competition. With her newfound fame, Jiggly established a name for herself in the entertainment industry and opened doors for both trans women and Filipino artists by being her authentic self.

Jiggly, an immigrant from the Philippines, brought Southeast Asian drag to an international stage with her introduction on Drag Race through her vibrant personality, humor, and quick-witted quips, making her a fan favorite in the long line of drag queens to appear on Drag Race. Her popularity later afforded her the chance to compete on RuPaul’s Drag Race: All Stars 6 in 2021 and later as a permanent judge on Drag Race Philippines in 2022, something only a select few members of the Drag Race cast, also known as “Ru girls,” can say.

In 2016, she came out as a transgender woman, and later co-hosted Translation on OUTtv through the Apple TV app in 2020, which was the first talk show on any major network to showcase a cast that was all-trans. She also starred on the hit FX show Pose as Veronica Ferocity, a clothing shopkeeper and participant in the New York ballroom scene through the house of Ferocity. Jiggly’s addition to the cast of Pose was more than just another role, as Pose tried to cast trans women, particularly trans women of color, who were previously seen and treated as invisible.

Several former contestants of Drag Race took to social media to give their condolences and heartfelt messages for Jiggly, whom many considered their friend.

In a post on X, Jink Monsoon, winner of Drag Race season 5 and the all-winners season of Drag Race All Stars, recounted her friendship with Jiggly, sharing that Jiggly hated it when she would sing show tunes, but she was able to sing to her friend one last time. “She accomplished so much in a relatively short time and we are all so proud of her,” Monsoon said.

Jiggly’s career married brand authenticity with advocacy, and that made her a force to be reckoned with, which is one of the main reasons why she became a name known by fans of drag internationally. Her life can serve as an example of what a life lived through resilience, authenticity, and a strong community can offer. Not only was she an inspiration to millions, but she did it all by authentically being herself.

Jiggly Caliente remained the queen she had always been, right to the end. “New York’s plus size Barbie” full of “swerve for your nerve,” with a spirit larger than life, that the world could never dim or take away.