RuPaul's Drag Race Stars Pay Tribute to Jiggly Caliente
Jiggly Caliente of 'RuPaul's Drag Race' died at age 44, sparking heartfelt tributes from show alums including Michelle Visage and Jaremi Carey
The global RuPaulās Drag Race community has come together to mourn the sudden death of personality Jiggly Caliente.
Caliente (real name Bianca Castro) died on Sunday, April 27, at the age of 44.
āIt is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of Bianca Castro-Arabejo, known to the world and cherished by many as Jiggly Caliente,ā a statement from Calienteās family read. āBianca passed away peacefully on April 27, 2025, at 4:42 a.m., surrounded by her loving family and close friends.ā
The statement added, āA 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.ā
Caliente competed on season 4 of Drag Race, finishing in eighth place, before returning for the sixth iteration of All-Stars in 2021. Starting in 2022, Caliente served as a judge on Drag Race Philippines.
āHer legacy is one of love, courage and light,ā Calienteās family added. āThough 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.ā
Following Calienteās death, several members of the Drag Race world shared emotional tributes. Keep scrolling to read more:
Michelle Visage
Ben Montgomery/Getty Images
āMy heart, my soul, my jiggles. ⦠I will always love you,ā Visage wrote via Instagram comment.
Jaremi Carey
Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images
Carey noted in a lengthy X statement on Sunday that Calienteās death is āawful and heartbreaking.
āI havenāt been able to eat or sleep,ā Carey wrote. āI have just been a shell of the person I was prior to this tragedy. Iāve cried more than ever, and the pain Iāve felt is something Iāve never felt before. Iām truly, and honestly, not OK right now.ā
According to Carey, he also ārushed to the hospitalā to hold Calienteās hand when she had her leg amputated earlier in April.
āWe played her a goodbye song as the nurses and doctors rolled her bed through those double doors ⦠an image I will never get out of my hed,ā he recalled, āI wish we could call each other one last time, since you were the only person I could take for hours with on the phone.ā
Carey continued, āI hope you know how proud I am of the woman you grew up to be and the spaces and hearts you touched. You have been a fighter your entire life and you will always be remembered for living life authentically and truthfully.ā
Jujubee
Chelsea Guglielmino/Getty Images
She replied to Calienteās family statement, āI love you, my sister. I will forever remember our giggles together. Iām so grateful we met this lifetime. ā¤ļøā¤ļøā¤ļø.ā
Morphine Love Dion
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
āI cannot stop crying,ā she wrote via Instagram. āI love you so much I wish I can hug you one more time. This canāt be real.ā
Subscribe to newsletters
Please enter a valid email.
By signing up, I agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy and to receive emails from Us Weekly
Deal of the Day
Score This Best-Selling Warm Weather-Perfect Top While Itās Still 32% off on Amazon View Deal
Baga Chipz
Karwai Tang/WireImage
The U.K. personality referred to Caliente as āone of the most kindest, sweetest soulsā in an Instagram tribute.
āIām gonna miss you, beautiful,ā Baga Chips added. Thank you for always being so lovely. Rest easy, legend. Sending your family so much love right now. ā¤ļøā¤ļøā¤ļø.ā
Kerry Colby
Sarah Morris/Getty Images
āAuntie, we will miss you and carry your love for eternity! Fly high ????,ā Colby penned.
Just For You