“Tears on the Runway: Beloved Queen’s Passing Leaves RuPaul and Fans in Shock”
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After news broke on Sunday that Drag Race contestant and Drag Race Philippines judge Jiggly Caliente had died at age 44, tributes from her fellow queens began pouring in.
“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,” the post read. “Bianca passed away peacefully on April 27, 2025, at 4:42 am, surrounded by her loving family and close friends.”
It continued, “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.”
News of her death came only a few days after it was reported that Caliente had undergone a leg amputation due to a severe infection.
Friends and loved ones — many from the RuPaul’s Drag Race family — offered tributes to the late performer on social media.
One of the earliest and most heartfelt tributes came from Caliente’s friend, actor Jaremi Carey, who previously competed in Drag Race as Phi Phi O’Hara.
“Two days ago … I rushed to hospital to hold my best friends’ hand one last time as I wish her on her way to a palace where she is no longer in pain,” Carey wrote. “I LOVE YOU JIGGLY … GOD I LOVE YOU SO MUCH, you were and always will be my best friend.”
Carey continued, “I wish we could call each other one last time since you were the only person I could talk for hours with on the phone, or come over to order cheap NYC food and fight in Mortal Kombat, watch you fall asleep in a movie theatre while I elbow you to wake up, run to the store to get your favorite drink in my fridge or a whole pack of Benadryl since you were allergic to my dogs, travel the world with you and share many more stages with you again … You were everything to me … I feel broken and crushed.”
“Rest well, my good time gal,” Del Rio wrote. “Thank you for 20 years of laughter and friendship.”
Jinkx Monsoon, who won both season 5 and All Stars 7, said Caliente was “so much person in one little body.”
“She accomplished so much in a relatively short time and we are all so proud of her,” Jinkx wrote. “She hates it when I sing show tunes, but I got to sing her one last song: there’s no business like show business— it was just the chorus, but still, her eye-contact said: bitch, shut up. I love you Jiggly.”
Ginger Minj, who appeared with Caliente in All Stars 6, called Caliente the “fiercest, funniest, most loyal friend I’ve ever had” in a post on X.
“Over the past 11 years she taught me to stand up for myself, held me accountable when necessary, and never failed to make me laugh til I cried,” Minj wrote. “Grateful I got to say goodbye, heartbroken I had to. Shattered.”
All Stars 6 contestant Jan also spoke up following the news of Caliente’s death.
“I am so so so sad. it’s not fair,” she wrote. “Bianca lit up EVERY room she walked in. Her smile and spirit are palpable. Whether she was throwing shade or giving you a hug, she was a SISTER. She prioritized community and I will never ever forget that. Rest easy sister.”
Drag Race judge Michelle Visage also paid tribute to Caliente.
“My jiggles…. The laughter was endless, our talks were special, your energy was contagious,” she wrote. “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.”
Steven Canals, who created, wrote, and directed the television show Pose, in which Caliente played Veronica Ferocity, remembered their shared love of X-Men and Caliente’s particular love for the superhero Jubilee, a fan favorite who is also a prominent Asian-American character.
“I was struck by both her beauty, vulnerability, and humor. Our connection grew over our shared love of X-men. In between takes we’d nerd out about our love of mutants. She believed that being trans was her mutation. It leveled her up. Made her special. Made her powerful. And it did,” he wrote. “I would often speak about my deep desire to write and direct an X-movie and she’d make me promise I would cast her. In some other universe, there is an X-movie being made, and you are absolutely my Jubilee.”
Several other Drag Race queens, including Tia Kofi and Jorgeous, shared their remembrances and appreciation for her, as well.
The official accounts for World of Wonder, which produces RuPaul’s Drag Race, as well as the Drag Race account itself, also shared condolences.
After his initial tribute, Carey continued to post throughout the day; subsequent posts included a shot of himself with Caliente on the beach, and a reflection on just how large the outpouring of love has been for Caliente.
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