In memory of Jiggly Caliente: 5 facts about the life and career of the popular diva
27 april 2025 в 19:13
Jiggly Caliente became known as a drag artist, singer, TV host, and activist long before she appeared on RuPaul’s Drag Race. Although the show helped her kickstart her career, Jiggly, whose real name was Bianca Castro-Arabeho, gradually climbed the television career ladder, even appearing in a sketch on Saturday Night Live. But despite her success, Jiggly sadly passed away at the age of 44 in April 2025, apparently from an unknown infection that, according to her family, led to the amputation of her leg.
Hollywood Life has gathered five facts about Jiggly as we remember her life and career.
Born in San Pedro, Laguna, Philippines, Jiggly eventually moved to the United States with her family. She grew up in Sunnyside, Queens, New York.
Jiggly revealed that her initial stage name, Jiggly Puff, was taken from the Pokemon character Jigglypuff, she told The Socialite Life in 2019.
In addition to reality shows, Jiggly also appeared in the FX series Pose as Veronica Ferocity.
Jiggly once shared that she was expelled from school after hitting another student with a pencil because he allegedly mocked her figure.
«Well, when I was in first grade, I was even expelled from school because of how I dealt with a bully», - Jiggly said in a past interview. «This kid kept poking me in the stomach and calling me fat, so… I asked the teacher if I could sharpen my pencil. I sharpened my pencil and waited for him to do something. And of course, he poked me and said, 'Hey, pig, pig, pig!' and I hit him with the pencil in the hand… And I was expelled from school».
In April 2025, Jiggly was hospitalized due to an unknown infection and had her leg amputated, her family of the late drag artist announced in an Instagram statement.
«The family of Bianca Castro, known to many as beloved drag artist Jiggly Caliente, sadly announces that over the past month Bianca has experienced a serious health decline», - the statement read. «Due to a severe infection, she was hospitalized and as a result, a large part of her right leg was lost».
Three days later, Jiggly’s family announced that she had passed away. According to a separate statement on Instagram, they wrote: «With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of Bianca Castro-Arabeho, known to the world and beloved by many as Jiggly Caliente. Bianca peacefully departed this life on April 27, 2025, at 4:42 am, surrounded by her loving family and close friends»
Hollywood Life has gathered five facts about Jiggly as we remember her life and career.
Born in San Pedro, Laguna, Philippines, Jiggly eventually moved to the United States with her family. She grew up in Sunnyside, Queens, New York.
Jiggly revealed that her initial stage name, Jiggly Puff, was taken from the Pokemon character Jigglypuff, she told The Socialite Life in 2019.
In addition to reality shows, Jiggly also appeared in the FX series Pose as Veronica Ferocity.
Jiggly once shared that she was expelled from school after hitting another student with a pencil because he allegedly mocked her figure.
«Well, when I was in first grade, I was even expelled from school because of how I dealt with a bully», - Jiggly said in a past interview. «This kid kept poking me in the stomach and calling me fat, so… I asked the teacher if I could sharpen my pencil. I sharpened my pencil and waited for him to do something. And of course, he poked me and said, 'Hey, pig, pig, pig!' and I hit him with the pencil in the hand… And I was expelled from school».
In April 2025, Jiggly was hospitalized due to an unknown infection and had her leg amputated, her family of the late drag artist announced in an Instagram statement.
«The family of Bianca Castro, known to many as beloved drag artist Jiggly Caliente, sadly announces that over the past month Bianca has experienced a serious health decline», - the statement read. «Due to a severe infection, she was hospitalized and as a result, a large part of her right leg was lost».
Three days later, Jiggly’s family announced that she had passed away. According to a separate statement on Instagram, they wrote: «With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of Bianca Castro-Arabeho, known to the world and beloved by many as Jiggly Caliente. Bianca peacefully departed this life on April 27, 2025, at 4:42 am, surrounded by her loving family and close friends»
© Artemenko Olga
