SPECIAL THANKS TO JASON WOODLEY AND MATT LAHBIBI AT PREMIER

As one of the most iconic contestants in herstory (this is not opinion this is fact), Jiggly Caliente’s involvement with the Filipino version of RuPaul’s Drag Race was met with enormous buzz online. After rising to superstardom on the fourth season, where she blessed viewers with one of the most memorable runways of all time (c’mon Baked Potato Couture!), Jiggly continued to slay the mainstream with a recurring role on Ryan Murphy’s trailblazing trans drama Pose and a comeback on the sixth season of All Stars. 

The latter, Jiggly says, was instrumental in her role on Drag Race Philippines, where she follows in the footsteps of former alumni such as Brooke Lynn Hytes and Nicky Doll by making the shift from contestant to judge. “Honestly, I think it all started with my promo look from All Stars, because of that butterfly sleeve,” Jiggly tells GAY TIMES. “I think that’s what started it, and then I got a phone call, ‘Hey, would you be interested?’ If ever! I was like, ‘Okay, sure. Why not?’ I’m not going to turn that down.” 

Hosted by legendary actor Paolo Ballesteros, who is best known for hosting one of the longest-running noontime shows in the Philippines, the series follows the same format as the original and its various spin-offs with 12 queens battling it out to be the country’s first-ever ‘Drag Superstar’. Filipino comedian and impersonator KaladKaren joins Jiggly on the panel, marking the first series of Drag Race to feature two openly trans women as regular judges. 

To mark the premiere of Drag Race Philippines (the first two episodes are available to stream now on WOW Presents Plus), we spoke with Jiggly about her involvement with the series, why her judging style will never be “malicious” and her response to the so-called ‘fans’ who complain about ‘too much’ Drag Race. 

Jiggly, huge congratulations on Drag Race Philippines. How did you get involved with the show?

Honestly, I think it all started with my promo look from All Stars, because of that butterfly sleeve. It became such a big deal, and I honestly didn’t even think about it that way when I was getting my promo look done. I just felt that I didn’t get to show much of my Filipino side on the season because I was only on for two episodes! I didn’t get to rock what I really wanted to wear so when it came to promo, I wanted to have a little bit of the Philippines with me. That butterfly sleeve made such a wave here in the Philippines and the outpouring amount of support I got from the Filipino fans… I think that’s what started it, and then I got a phone call, ‘Hey, would you be interested?’ If ever! I was like, ‘Okay, sure. Why not?’ I’m not going to turn that down! Then, it became a reality. 

I didn’t not expect that answer! I love that.

It pays to be pretty! 

There’s only been a handful of queens who have made the shift from contestant to judge. How did you personally find that process?

I find it really cool, but it’s also cool that it’s all the girls who’ve lost. It’s none of the girls who have won! So, I feel like this is RuPaul’s consolation prize to me for losing All Stars so quickly. All jokes aside, we are all very knowledgeable on drag and all have our own idea of what drag is. At least for me, I know I have a good grasp on the Filipino drag scene and I think that’s why I got involved with the show and I was asked to be part of it. 

Prior to filming, did you speak with any of the other judges such as RuPaul, Brooke Lynn Hytes and Nicky Doll? Did you get any tips or advice from them?

Yes, I have RuPaul’s phone number. No I don’t! I don’t have that phone number. But, I did speak with Michelle Visage about it. She was my main phone call, actually, and she told me to lead with my heart and judge with my art. That was the best advice she could have ever given me. 

You’re one of the biggest personalities to ever come out of Drag Race, so viewers are pretty damn excited to see you behind the panel. How would you describe your judging style?

[Laughs] There’s always going to be a punchline. I think my judging with the queens is a lot more relatable because I, all too well, know the feeling of losing on Drag Race. When I give out my critiques, it’s never malicious and it’s more, ‘Okay, here’s how we can make this better.’ It’s never, ‘Your drag is shit!’ That was never the way I judge. It’s more, ‘Let’s find a way to fix this situation so that you could’ve been better in this challenge.’ That’s how I approach my judging style.