(WJW) – “RuPaul’s Drag Race” star Bianca Castro, better known as drag performer Jiggly Caliente, has had to have part of her leg amputated due to an infection, her family members said.
Castro’s family took to Instagram on Thursday, saying that they are “heartbroken to share that over the last month, Bianca has experienced a serious health setback.” The message appeared on Castro’s official Instagram page.
The 44-year-old’s family did not detail the circumstances surrounding the health scare, but confirmed that Castro had been hospitalized with a “severe infection.”
“As a result, [Castro] has undergone the loss of most of her right leg,” family members said.
The post said Castro’s recovery will be extensive, meaning she won’t appear as a judge in the new season of the Philippines version “Drag Race.” The performer has been a judge on the show for the past three seasons, according to IMDb.
The family went on to ask for privacy at this time.
“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,” the post concluded. “Bianca’s family and drag house are deeply grateful for the continued outpouring of support, strength and prayers.”
Castro, born in the Philippines before moving to the U.S. with her family in 1991, is best known for competing on the fourth season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and the sixth season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars,” per IMDb.
