Jiggly Caliente (real name: Bianca Castro) was suffering from a “severe” health complication prior to her death, her family announced three days before she died on April 27, 2025. Caliente, an alum of RuPaul’s Drag Race, was 44. As the reality TV world grieves the loss of the iconic performer, many are also wondering what happened to her.
Below, learn everything we know about Caliente’s health and her untimely death.
Caliente is best remembered for her appearances on RuPaul’s Drag Race. After placing eighth in season 4, the Philippines native returned for season 6 and finished in 12th place. Caliente then became a judge on Drag Race Philippines for three seasons.
Outside of the reality TV world, Caliente appeared in the FX series Pose.
Three days before her death, Caliente underwent a leg amputation due to a “serious health setback,” her family wrote in an Instagram statement in April 2025. They did not share what infection Caliente was diagnosed with.
“The family of Bianca Castro, known to many as the beloved drag performer Jiggly Caliente, is heartbroken to share that over the last month Bianca has experienced a serious health setback,” the post read. “Due to a severe infection, she was hospitalized and, as a result, has undergone the loss of most of her right leg. Because of these circumstances, Bianca will not be appearing in the upcoming season of RuPaul’s Drag Race Philippines, nor will she be participating in any public engagements for the foreseeable future.”
