Michelle Visage leads tributes to Drag Race star Jiggly Caliente following her tragic death
The cast of Drag Race Philippines found about about Jiggly Caliente’s death mid-episode (Getty)
The cast of Drag Race Philippines found about about Jiggly Caliente's death mid-episode (Getty)
RuPaul’s Drag Race judge Michelle Visage has led tributes to drag performer and actor Bianca Castro, known as Jiggly Caliente, following her death aged 44.
Jiggly Caliente, who was best known for starring on RuPaul’s Drag Race season four in 2012 and All Stars 6 in 2021, and for co-judging the Philippines spin-off Drag Race Philippines, died “peacefully” on 27 April, her family confirmed in a statement.
Three days prior to her death, her family revealed that she had suffered a “serious health setback” and lost “most of her right leg” due to an infection.
After news of her death spread, a flood of tributes poured in across social media from Jiggly’s Drag Race co-stars.
Michelle Visage, who began her stint as a Drag Race judge on season three, the year before Jiggly competed, shared a photo of the pair together at DragCon.
“My jiggles… The laughter was endless, our talks were special, your energy was contagious. 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,” she wrote.
Actress Michaela Jae Rodriguez, who starred alongside Jiggly in Ryan Murphy’s hit series Pose, wrote on Instagram: “Gonna really miss you girl. Rest in peace.”
Jiggly Caliente, who came out as a trans woman in 2016, starred as Veronica Ferocity in 12 episodes of Pose. In addition, she made appearances in Ugly Betty, Broad City, and Milkwater. She joined the inaugural season of Drag Race Philippines as a permanent co-judge in 2022.
Across dozens of tribute posts, Jiggly’s Drag Race sisters made it clear that she was one of the first queens to congratulate them as they reached career milestones.
Nicky Doll, who hosts Drag Race France, wrote: “I will miss our rotted, rotted, phone conversations cackling like hyenas about random stuff. Thank you for being one of the first ones to call when you heard the news about Drag Race France and to always have the biggest smile on your face when we saw each other.”
In a lengthy, moving post, season 10 star Kameron Michaels recalled Jiggly sharing “laughter, video game chats, shady reads, and encouragement” as Kameron struggled through “severe depression” in 2020.
“I’m not the easiest egg to crack, but some of the girls were determined to get to know the real me and @jigglycalienteofficial was one of them. We only worked together for one tour, but she has been in my DMs since day one cheering me on,” Kameron shared.
“I know I’ve posted it before in my stories, but if I could count on ONE person to laugh at my jokes or stories and tell me I was actually kind of funny, it was @jigglycalienteofficial.”
Jervi Wrightson, known as KaladKaren and Jiggly’s co-judge on Drag Race Philippines, shared: “I just lost my favorite seat mate. Drag Race Philippines will never be the same without you. Thank you for everything, my dearest sister. Rest in power.”
Jaremi Carey, formerly known as Phi Phi O’Hara, appeared alongside Jiggly on Drag Race season four with the two becoming close friends.
In a crushing post on Instagram, Carey wrote: “I 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 truthful.”
He continued: “When I left the Drag Race scene, Jiggly was and has always been my number one supporter. She was the ONLY one I still to this day let call me Phi Phi. She was so excited when I got signed to be a voice actor and now travel the world hosting conventions and being a happy little nerd.
“During my darkest moments, a time when I had no will to live during All Stars filming, Jiggly was the one to call me on what could have been a life-changing moment in Philadelphia, to remind me of how much life is worth fighting for and the incredible person I am. Jiggly saved my life that night, Jiggly kept me alive.”
Other Drag Race stars including Jinkx Monsoon, Bob The Drag Queen, Ginger Minj and Detox recalled Jiggly having “the biggest of hearts” and “so much person in one little body”.
A post by the official RuPaul’s Drag Race social media accounts said that Jiggly’s “talent, truth, and impact will never be forgotten”.
