RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars: Season 10 premiere episode pays tribute to Jiggly after her untimely demise 

RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars Season 10 kicked off with high glamour and fierce competition, but it was the final moments of the premiere that delivered the most emotional punch. As the episode drew to a close on Friday night, viewers were met with a heartfelt tribute to Jiggly Caliente, who passed away on April 27, 2025, at the age of 44.

The tribute card was simple, striking, and deeply moving. It featured Jiggly in a bold red dress from her Drag Race Philippines promo shoot, standing tall, proud, and radiant—just as fans remember her. Below her image were the words:

“Forever fabulous.”

More than just a former contestant from Season 4 and All Stars Season 6, Jiggly had carved out a lasting legacy as a permanent judge on Drag Race Philippines, becoming a guiding light for future Filipino and Filipino-American queens. Her death came as a shock to the drag world, announced just days after her family revealed she had undergone a leg amputation due to a severe infection.

Though her loss is deeply felt, Friday’s tribute was a reminder of the joy, strength, and unapologetic spirit Jiggly brought to the stage and the world.

RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars offers a fitting farewell to icon Jiggly Caliente

The episode's visual homage included Jiggly's name, birth year (1980), and death year (2025), as well as a picture of her wearing a red knee-length dress. This picture was specifically selected to highlight her development from contestant to adjudicator during her tenure as a permanent judge on Drag Race Philippines.

"Forever fabulous," read the tribute card, encapsulating the spirit of a queen who made an indelible mark on the franchise through her humor, vulnerability, and authenticity.

Jiggly's family announced her passing through Instagram in late April, stating:

"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 4:42 a.m., surrounded by her loving family and close friends."

Jiggly first captured fans' hearts during RuPaul's Drag Race season 4, widely considered the beginning of the show's golden era. Her entrance was unforgettable; winning the first mini-challenge by posing on a spinning platform while being doused with "hazardous waste" and then presenting what would affectionately become known as "baked potato couture" on the Apocalyptic runway.

Her playful interactions with RuPaul became a running gag when the host would ask:

"May I call you Jiggly?" after saying her name, a bit that continued through her return on All Stars 6 in 2021.

Though eliminated early in her RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars run, Jiggly created another iconic moment during her return lip-sync against friend Silky Nutmeg Ganache. Upon realizing they were wearing matching leopard print outfits, Jiggly exclaimed:

"Two fat bitches in f---ing leopard print, I can't," before collapsing in laughter.

And then adding:

"How did this happen?"

A growing loss in the drag race family

Jiggly joins five other RuPaul's Drag Race alumni who have passed away since the franchise began: UK season 1 winner The Vivienne, Thailand competitor Bandit, UK's Cherry Valentine, season 8's Chi Chi DeVayne, and season 2's Sahara Davenport.

Jiggly's talents extended well beyond the RuPaul's Drag Race competition stage. She established herself as an actress with appearances on Saturday Night Live, Broad City, and most notably as Veronica Ferocity on Ryan Murphy's groundbreaking series Pose.

"There's a stigma with reality TV personalities who want to be actors, and that's why, when I auditioned for Pose, I didn't audition as Jiggly Caliente, I auditioned as Bianca," she told Entertainment Weekly, showing her determination to be taken seriously as a performer.

Jiggly Caliente’s passing feels especially bittersweet because she had done what so many queens dream of—she didn’t just make her mark as a competitor, she came full circle as a mentor and judge on Drag Race Philippines. Her evolution from a fan favorite on RuPaul's Drag Race Season 4 to a guiding voice for up-and-coming queens was more than just a personal win—it was a reflection of how far the Drag Race family has come.

The tribute at the end of All Stars 10 wasn’t just a farewell; it was a celebration of Jiggly’s place in the heart of the franchise. Her journey echoed the show’s own transformation—from a scrappy competition to a global stage where drag artists are not only celebrated but also uplifted. Jiggly embodied that spirit, and her legacy will continue to inspire queens across borders, generations, and identities.

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You can watch RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars Season 10 every Friday on Paramount+.