Backlash after Jiggly Caliente's obituary used as 'heartless' dig by Olympic swimmer

Daily Mirror

30-04-2025

RuPaul's Drag Race drag performer Jiggly Caliente, also known as Bianca Castro-Arabejo,died on April 27 at the age of 44, just days after surgery to amputate her leg. News of the tragic passing has sparked an outpouring of tributes and significant media coverage as fans and friends remember the iconic drag queen. But for Olympic swimmer and gender critic Sharron Davies, the reporting on Jiggly's passing is just another drop in the well of "endless" drag artist coverage.
On April 28, Davies posted this message on X alongside the BBC News obituary for Jiggly Caliente's passing: 'When will this stop BBC? Endless drag stories. I'd love to know who's responsible?' The tweet has been viewed over 500,000 times and received immense backlash.
Davies' comments on the obituary have been called 'heartless'. One X user commented on the post saying: 'Imagine posting this, in reference to the death of someone who was far more humane than you could ever dream of perceiving.'
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Deputy Leader of the Green Party Zack Polanksi also responded to Davies' post, writing that it was 'disgusting' alongside disability activist and award-winning journalist, Rachel Charlton-Dailey who commented: "It's a f--king obituary you f--king ghoul get a life.'
The backlash for Davies' insensitive post has some saying she has "ruined her legacy" as a former Olympic athlete by undermining Jiggly's passing. In addition to being a transgender rights activist, the drag artist was one of the first artists to represent Filipino Drag on an international stage.
The outpouring of tributes for Jiggly has overshadowed the hate. Drag Race judge, Michelle Visage, shared a photo of herself and Jiggly on Instagram expressing heartbreak at her passing.
Visage wrote alongside the shot: '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.'
Olympic swimmer Davies has publicly supported attempts to exclude transgender women from women's sports, and has previously compared the inclusion of trans women in women's sports to doping. She has also been widely critical of the art of drag over the years.
Responding to one of Davies' previous X posts, television host Lorraine Kelly highlighted the power of drag. Kelly posted on X back in 2019: "Oh Sharon. You can't underestimate the power of drag and how it empowers people who often feel like outsiders - they can find their family, grow in confidence, learn to love themselves and be who they really are. It can literally save lives. And it's such a lot of FUN!"
Unfortunately, Davies is not the only person that has shared tactless comments on Jiggly Caliente's passing. RuPaul's Drag Race winner Tyra Sanchez posted a meme of themselves leaning against a tombstone with Jiggly's date of birth and death with the inscription: "Here lies she who came for me".
The news of Jiggly's passing was shared by her family, with their own tribute reading: "It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of Bianca Castro-Arebejo, known to the world and cherished by many as Jiggly Caliente. Bianca passed away peacefully on April 27, 2025, at 4:42 am, surrounded by her loving family and close friends."