A beloved drag performer’s journey came to an end just months after facing a life-altering medical emergency.
According to NewsNation, Bianca Castro, better known as Jiggly Caliente from “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” died Sunday morning following complications related to a severe infection and leg amputation.
The 42-year-old performer, who was born in the Philippines and later moved to New York, had recently undergone surgery that led to the removal of most of her right leg. Her family confirmed that the amputation was a result of the infection, which ultimately led to her death.
Castro began her drag career more than 20 years ago, earning recognition in competitions and pageants before rising to national fame on the popular reality TV series “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” Her performances often reflected her cultural identity, drawing on her Filipino heritage for inspiration.
In a 2023 episode of “Bring Back My Girls,” she expressed how important it was for her to represent her community. Her identity as an immigrant and trans woman played a central role in how she approached both her art and activism. Castro said during the show: "When it comes to my culture, I live and breathe that I am Filipina. I am a proud immigrant woman."
She also released a hip-hop album in 2018 titled T.H.O.T. Process, which featured a track that included verses in Tagalog, further cementing her ties to her roots.
Castro publicly came out as transgender in 2016, though she later revealed she had already been transitioning during her time on “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” She chose to keep her personal journey private while competing, aiming to avoid being reduced to a single identity on the show.
In a 2018 interview with Billboard, Castro shared that she had been living as a trans woman for several years before publicly sharing it with her fans. She explained that she chose to wait until she felt ready, adding that she didn’t want her gender identity to become the main focus of her public image, as she believes it doesn't define her as a person.
Her decision to come out was partly influenced by letters she received from fans struggling with their own gender identities. She hoped her story would offer strength to others facing similar battles.
While her family did not disclose how long she battled the infection, they confirmed that her condition had worsened leading up to her surgery. She died shortly after the amputation. The drag community has yet to release an official statement, but fans and fellow performers have already begun sharing tributes online in honor of Castro’s legacy.
Castro leaves behind a powerful legacy that spanned performance, advocacy, and cultural representation. Her contributions to both the drag and trans communities resonated deeply with audiences across generations.
As the first Filipina drag queen to gain national recognition through “Drag Race,” she opened doors for other performers from marginalized backgrounds. Her presence, both on stage and off, created space for honest discussions about identity, culture, and resilience.
Bianca Castro, also known as Jiggly Caliente, died Sunday following complications from a severe infection and surgery that resulted in the loss of her right leg. Born in the Philippines and raised in New York, she used her platform to advocate for immigrant and trans representation in the drag world. Her work as an artist and activist spanned decades, and she will be remembered not just for her performances but for her fearless pride in her heritage and identity. Her death marks a major loss for the LGBTQ+ community and the world of drag.
