Last Updated: 28 Apr, 2025 | Views: 96
Age: 44
Profession: Singer
Other Profession(s): Television Personality, Drag Queen
Famous For: For Shows like
Higher Education: Fashion Institute of Technology
About (Profile/Biography):
Jiggly Caliente is a Puerto Rican-American drag performer, actress, and reality TV personality who rose to fame on RuPaul's Drag Race Season 4 and later on All Stars 1. Born Bianca Castro, Jiggly has become known for her vibrant personality, candid discussions about her transgender journey, and advocacy work. Her career spans television, music, and activism, making her an influential figure in LGBTQ+ entertainment.
Early Life of Jiggly Caliente
• Jiggly was born on November 29, 1980, in Laguna, Philippines, before moving to the United States as a child, where she grew up in Queens, New York, developing her performance skills through neighborhood talent shows and local drag competitions.
• The drag artist adopted the name "Jiggly Caliente" as a playful nod to both the Pokémon character Jigglypuff and the Spanish word for "hot," creating a memorable persona that would later captivate audiences worldwide.
• Before drag fame, Jiggly worked various jobs including as a nursing assistant, bringing her compassionate nature to healthcare before channeling that same empathy into her advocacy work for transgender rights and visibility.
Career Highlights of Jiggly Caliente
• Jiggly competed on the fourth season of RuPaul's Drag Race in 2012, finishing in eighth place but making a lasting impression with her emotional moments and genuine personality that resonated with viewers despite early elimination.
• The performer publicly came out as a transgender woman in 2016, documenting her transition journey and becoming an important voice for transgender representation in mainstream media and within the drag community.
• Jiggly expanded her career beyond drag with acting roles in notable productions like "Pose" on FX and "Broad City," showcasing her versatility as an entertainer and breaking barriers for transgender performers in television.
Awards and Recognition received by Jiggly Caliente
• In 2019, Jiggly received the Visibility Award from the Philippine LGBT Advocacy Network for her work in bringing transgender issues to mainstream audiences and representing the Filipino LGBTQ+ community.
• The artist was honored with the Trailblazer Award at the New York Drag Alliance ceremony for her contributions to transgender representation in entertainment and her mentorship of younger LGBTQ+ performers.
• Jiggly's work on "Pose" contributed to the show's GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Drama Series, highlighting her part in groundbreaking transgender storytelling in television.
Lesser-Known Facts about Jiggly Caliente
• Jiggly is fluent in Tagalog and occasionally incorporates Filipino cultural elements into her performances, maintaining a strong connection to her heritage while educating audiences about Filipino LGBTQ+ experiences.
• Before becoming a drag performer, Jiggly trained as a classical pianist for seven years, a talent she rarely showcases publicly but occasionally surprises fans with during special performances.
• The entertainer has a collection of rare Pokémon memorabilia that rivals serious collectors, with her love for the franchise extending far beyond just her drag name inspiration.
Controversy around Jiggly Caliente
• In 2018, Jiggly faced backlash after making controversial comments about RuPaul's statements regarding transgender contestants on Drag Race, later clarifying her position and advocating for greater inclusivity in the drag competition space.
• The performer has openly discussed her initial struggles with substance abuse following her Drag Race appearance, using her platform to highlight the pressures reality TV contestants face and the importance of mental health support.
• Jiggly received criticism for some heated social media exchanges with fans, though she has since developed a reputation for addressing conflicts directly and growing from these experiences as a public figure.
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