‘Drag Race’ Star Jiggly Caliente Had Her Leg Amputated After a ‘Severe Infection’
Drag Race season four star Jiggly Caliente won’t be returning to her position as a judge on Drag Race Philippines after the drag performer had most of her right leg amputated following an infection.
In a post to Caliente’s social media, the drag performer’s family issued a statement on her health, revealing that the All Stars 6 star has been experiencing “a serious health setback” over the course of the last month. “Due to a severe infection, she was hospitalized and, as a result, has undergone the loss of most of her right leg,” the statement reads.
Continuing, her family revealed that Caliente (whose out-of-drag name is Bianca Castro) would not be able to participate in the upcoming season of Drag Race Philippines, nor in “any public engagements for the foreseeable future,” as her recovery from her amputation is expected to be “extensive.”
“At this time, we kindly ask for privacy for Bianca and her family as they navigate this difficult journey together,” the statement continued. “While Jiggly concentrates on healing, we invite her friends, fans, and community to uplift her with messages of hope and love on her social media channels. Bianca’s family and drag house are deeply grateful for the continued outpouring of support, strength and prayers.”
Caliente first rose to prominence after her run on season four of RuPaul’s Drag Race, ono which she placed eighth overall. The drag star went on to appear on the franchise’s All Stars iteration in season six, and joined Drag Race Philippines as a recurring judge in 2022. Caliente also appeared as Veronica Ferocity on the hit FX series Pose across 12 episodes in the show’s three-season run.
Read the full statement from Caliente’s family below:
Stephen Daw
Billboard
