RuPaul's Drag Race alumna Jiggly Caliente has been confirmed as a permanent judge on Drag Race Philippines.
"I am overjoyed in a major major way to be joining the judges panel for Drag Race Philippines," Jiggly said in a statement (via Entertainment Weekly).
"There is a fierce Filipino drag scene and I am proud to be returning to my home country in this new role as a Drag Race judge to shine a spotlight on these incredible artists to the world — or the universe, rather. Pak! Mabuhay, Drag Race!"
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The first season of Drag Race Philippines is set to debut later this year. It will be the first international Drag Race series in the franchise to air its own behind-the-scenes Untucked series alongside new episodes.
Following the announcement, Jiggly took to her Instagram to share her feelings about her new Drag Race role.
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"If you would have asked me 5 years ago if I would ever be a judge on a @rupaulsdragrace franchise let alone be part of for my home land the Philippines, I would have told you to stop doing drugs because they would never entrust me with such a responsibility," she said.
"A responsibility I took seriously and care for."
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Alongside her work on RuPaul's Drag Race 4 and All Stars 6, Jiggly Caliente, who came out as trans in 2016, has some acting credits under her belt.
These include FX's critically acclaimed series Pose, in which she's credited as Bianca Castro.
Drag Race Philippines debuts August 17 on WOW globally and on Discovery+ in the Philippines.
RuPaul's Drag Race US airs on VH1 in the US, and season 14 episodes will premiere exclusively in the UK via the streamer of all things drag, WOW Presents Plus from 2.30am GMT on Saturdays. Subscribe now via https://uk.wowpresentsplus.com/.
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Stefania is a freelance writer specialising in TV and movies. After graduating from City University, London, she covered LGBTQ+ news and pursued a career in entertainment journalism, with her work appearing in outlets including Little White Lies, The Skinny, Radio Times and Digital Spy.
Her beats are horror films and period dramas, especially if fronted by queer women. She can argue why Scream is the best slasher in four languages (and a half).
