RuPaul’s Drag Race star Jiggly Caliente has died aged 44, her family have announced.
Caliente, real name Bianca Castro-Arabejo, died “surrounded by her loving family and close friends” at 4.42am on Sunday, her family wrote in an Instagram post.
On Thursday, they revealed she had part of her leg amputated due to a “severe infection”.
Caliente took part in the fourth season of the original US version of Drag Race.
After coming out as transgender she returned to the show for its sixth All Stars season.
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She also starred in the LGBTQ+ TV drama Pose as the character Veronica Ferocity – a drag queen who was part of the New York ballroom scene in the 1980s and 1990s.
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Caliente was chosen as a judge on the Filipino version of Drag Race, which began airing in 2022. She was born in the Philippines but moved to New York as a child.
During her original stint on the show, she was praised by judges for her sense of humour and performances in its lip sync battles.
Drag Race judge and close friend of RuPaul Michelle Visage paid tribute to her on Instagram.
“My jiggles… The laughter was endless, our talks were special, your energy was contagious,” she wrote.
“You were and remain so very loved. This world has lost an angel and we want you to soar high…..I love you so much honey.”
Since Drag Race first aired in 2009, the reality show has seen the deaths of several contestants – including UK stars The Vivienne, aged 32, and Cherry Valentine.
