Jiggly Caliente’s family launch GoFundMe for funeral costs: ‘Thank you for being part of her story’
Jiggly Caliente (Chelsea Guglielmino/WireImage)
Jiggly Caliente (Chelsea Guglielmino/WireImage)
The family of RuPaul’s Drag Race star and Drag Race Philippines judge Jiggly Caliente’s family have launched a fundraiser to help pay for her funeral.
Jiggly Caliente is the stage name of Bianca Castro-Arabejo, who is best known for competing on season four and All Stars 6 of RuPaul’s Drag Race before becoming a ‘resident judge’ on Drag Race Philippines. She 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.
In honour of the life and legacy of the drag star her family have created a GoFundMe to raise funds for a private and public celebration. The fundraiser, which aims to raise $100,000, has already reached 24 per cent of its target thanks to more than 580 donations.
‘She loved hard – and was loved hard in return’
A post promoting the fundraiser on Instagram states: “Jiggly Caliente was so much more than a star or a trailblazer. She was our sister, our friend, our fierce protector, our biggest laugh in the room.”
It continues: “She wore her heart on her sleeve and gave every piece of herself to the world – her strength, her beauty, her humour, her truth. And she asked for so little in return: just to be seen, to be loved, and to be able to love back”.
The post adds that Caliente’s “Celebration of Life” will be a “true reflection of her spirit” a celebration of the “incredible, unstoppable life she lived,” with funds raised helping to pay for medical bills alongside the send off.
“Thank you for every bit of love you gave her. Thank you for being part of her story. She loved hard – and was loved hard in return,” the post is signed off.
Tributes have poured in following the death of Caliente, with RuPaul’s Drag Race judge Michelle Visage leading tributes.
Visage captioned 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.”
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