Latest news with #BiancaCastro-Arabejo
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Reality TV star and influential drag performer dies at 44
Bianca Castro-Arabejo, a reality star and drag performer known by the stage name Jiggy Caliente, has died at age 44. Castro-Arabejo's family shared the news on Instagram, stating that the star passed away 'surrounded by her loving family and close friends' on Sunday morning. The news brings a sudden and unexpected end to Castro-Arabejo's career of 20-plus years, which included appearances on 'RuPaul's Drag Race' and various spinoffs, and a recurring role in the TV drama 'Pose.' 'Her legacy is one of love, courage, and light,' the statement said. 'Though her physical presence is gone, the joy she shared and the space she helped create for so many will remain forever.' Castro-Arabejo's family had shared a serious health update about the performer just days earlier, announcing that she had lost 'most of her right leg' due to a 'severe infection.' As a result, the post announced that Castro-Arabejo would not appear as a judge in the next season of 'Drag Race Philippines' as planned. Working as a judge on the 'Drag Race' spinoff brought Castro-Arabejo back to her birthplace in previous seasons of the show; the performer immigrated to New York from the Philippines as a child. Over the course of her decades-spanning career, she appeared on three different versions of the 'Drag Race' reality TV series: first as a contestant on 'RuPaul's Drag Race' and 'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars,' and later as a judge on 'Drag Race Philippines.' 'We are devastated by the passing of Jiggly Caliente, a cherished member of the Drag Race family,' reads a statement from 'RuPaul's Drag Race' on Instagram. 'Her talent, truth, and impact will never be forgotten, and her legacy will continue to slay — always. We're holding her family, friends, and fans close in our hearts during this difficult time.' Castro-Arabejo came out as transgender in 2016, and later told Billboard that she was transitioning while on 'Drag Race' but 'wanted to keep my personal life and my work life separate.' 'I didn't want it to be my storyline, because being a trans woman is not what defines me, and I didn't want me being a trans woman have anything to do with the show,' she said. Castro-Arabejo's family released an additional statement via Instagram on Monday that revealed in-progress plans for both private and public services. The post also asked fans to donate to a GoFundMe page that is raising money to help pay for costs relating to the star's funeral, memorial services, medical bills, and 'related expenses.' Her family stated that they will donate any leftover money to causes that Castro-Arabejo 'cared deeply about — causes that fought for the people she fought for every day." 'We want to honor her the way she lived: loud, proud, full of color, full of heart,' the most recent statement reads. 'We are putting together a Celebration of Life that will be a true reflection of her spirit — not just mourning her loss, but celebrating the incredible, unstoppable life she lived." UPS expects to cut 20,000 jobs, close 73 buildings in 2025 Filing in R.I. case reveals EPA set to cancel nearly 800 environmental justice grants Police identify 5 involved in attack on college student in downtown Boston Child struck, killed by school bus in Boston was a 5-year-old boy Where Bruins stand going into NHL Draft Lottery Read the original article on MassLive.
Cedar News
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Cedar News
Drag Queen Jiggly Caliente Passes Away at 44
Bianca Castro-Arabejo, known by her stage name Jiggly Caliente and famed for her appearance on 'RuPaul's Drag Race,' has died at the age of 44 due to a severe infection. She passed away surrounded by family and friends.
Toronto Star
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Toronto Star
Drag performer Jiggly Caliente from ‘RuPaul's Drag Race' franchise dies at 44 after hospitalization
NEW YORK (AP) — Drag performer Bianca Castro-Arabejo, who was known as reality television star Jiggly Caliente on 'RuPaul's Drag Race,' died Sunday at age 44, days after her family reported hospitalization for a serious infection. Castro-Arabejo, who became a judge on 'Drag Race Philippines' in 2022, scrapped plans to appear on the upcoming season after a recent hospitalization for a 'severe infection' and a leg amputation surgery, her family said in a statement on her Instagram page.
NZ Herald
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
RuPaul's Drag Race star Jiggly Caliente dies at 44 after leg amputation
RuPaul's Drag Race star Jiggly Caliente has died. The reality star - whose real name was Bianca Castro-Arabejo - passed away on Sunday at the age of 44, just days after having her leg amputated after contracting a 'severe infection', her family have announced. A statement posted on her Instagram read: 'It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of Bianca Castro-Arabejo, known to the world and cherished by many as Jiggly Caliente. Bianca passed away peacefully on April 27, 2025, at 4.42am, surrounded by her loving family and close friends. 'A 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. 'Her legacy is one of love, courage, and light. Though her physical presence is gone, the joy she shared and the space she helped create for so many will remain forever.
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
'RuPaul's Drag Race' star Jiggly Caliente dead at 44
" RuPaul's Drag Race" star Jiggly Caliente has died at the age of 44, according to her family. The resident judge of "Drag Race Philippines," whose real name was Bianca Castro-Arabejo, died early Sunday morning, her family announced on her Instagram account. On Thursday, her family shared that the star had "experienced a serious health setback." They said she had a "severe infection" which resulted in a hospitalization and, as a result, "the loss of most of her right leg." Her family asked for privacy and informed followers she would not be participating in the upcoming season of "Drag Race Philippines." In the note announcing her death, Castro-Arabejo's family called her a "luminous presence in the worlds of entertainment and advocacy." "Jiggly Caliente was celebrated for her infectious energy, fierce wit, and unwavering authenticity," her family stated. The statement continued, "She touched countless lives through her artistry, activism, and the genuine connection she fostered with fans around the world. Her legacy is one of love, courage, and light. Though her physical presence is gone, the joy she shared and the space she helped create for so many will remain forever." The note ended with: "In Loving Memory of Bianca Castro-Arabejo (Jiggly Caliente) November 29, 1980 – April 27, 2025." A statement from "RuPaul's Drag Race" on Instagram read, "We are devastated by the passing of Jiggly Caliente, a cherished member of the Drag Race family. Her talent, truth, and impact will never be forgotten, and her legacy will continue to slay—always." The production company behind the show, World of Wonder, also shared a statement on social media. "Jiggly's humor, love, and light touched so many in the Drag Race family and beyond. Her legacy will continue to uplift the communities she advocated for," World of Wonder said. Castro-Arabejo, who was transgender, co-hosted the talk show "Translation" which debuted in 2020 and focused on issues afflicting trans lives. She first joined "RuPaul's Drag Race" in season 4, where she finished eighth in the competition before returning for the spinoff series "RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars," where she finished 12th.
