Drag Race Philippines: Slaysian Royale pays tribute to late Jiggly Caliente
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The premiere of Drag Race Philippines: Slaysian Royale, the franchise's first all-Asian All Star season, was on Wednesday. Amid the glitz and glamour, the show paid tribute to Jiggly, who died following a severe infection earlier this year.
Jiggly served as a permanent judge on the main Drag Race Philippines panel and was an actress on Pose before her sudden and tragic death.
A gorgeous photo of Jiggly appeared on a title card after the show's judging segment. The tribute reads: “Forever fabulous, our Dalagang Filipina, RuGirl from Laguna.”
All Stars 10 gave a similar tribute to the queen closer to her passing.
Jiggly's family announced her death on April 27, days after revealing she had been hospitalized and had a large part of her leg amputated.
"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," the family penned a statement on Instagram.
A message on the official RuPaul's Drag Race Instagram account read, "We are devastated by the passing of Jiggly Caliente, a cherished member of the Drag Race family.”
This season, 12 Asian queens across 8 different countries gather to compete for the crown.
It was previously announced that the cast will feature Arizona Brandy (Drag Race Philippines, season 2), Bernie (Drag Race Philippines, season 2), Brigiding (Drag Race Philippines, season 1), Ivory Glaze (Drag Race Down Under, season 3), Khianna (Drag Race Philippines, season 3), Kitty Space (Drag Race France, season 2).
Also among the cast is Madame Yoko (Drag Race Belgique, season 2), Siam Phusri (Drag Race Thailand, season 3), Suki Doll (Canada's Drag Race, season 2), Sum Ting Wong (Drag Race UK, season 1), Viñas Deluxe (Drag Race Philippines, season 1), and Yuhua (Drag Race season 10).
Guest judges this season are just as hot! We can expect to see familiar faces like Nymphia Wind and Sasha Colby, as well as international drag superstars Alyssa Edwards and Jimbo, who guest-judged the premiere episode.