Jiggly Caliente Spills the T on ‘Translation’ and ‘Drag Race Philippines’

May I call you Jiggly?

Known for her bubbly personality and unapologetically brazen mouth, Jiggly Caliente is one of the most memorable queens to compete on RuPaul’s Drag Race. This past year, the tables were turned as she was asked to be a judge on the franchise’s new installment, Drag Race Philippines.

Additionally, Jiggly also gave us the highly anticipated second season Translation, a revolutionary trans roundtable talk show. Created by Jiggly herself, the show also features former Drag Race contestants Peppermint, Carmen Carrera, and Kylie Sonique Love as her co-hosts, where they discuss various issues related to the trans community. Each episode explores different topics, including pageants, chosen and biological family, and mental health.

The four may not always agree, but Translation, which is available to stream on OUTtv, allows for multiple perspectives to be seen and heard.

OFM caught up with Jiggly to talk more about Translation, being a full-time judge, and more.

As one of the creators of Translation, how did this show come to fruition and what inspired you to start it?

It was around my rebranding of Jiggly, and I was like, I think I’m at a better place in life. I have things to say, and I wanted people to know more about my transition and me personally because I felt like I hid so much of myself during my season of Drag Race. Even after that, I was hiding so much of who I was. I was always female presenting, but I never came out to the world and let them know, yes, I am a trans woman. I just left it alone or whatever. I thought, maybe this is the one piece of my personal life I can have to myself, but that’s not how it works (laughs).

Then I realized, there are so many women like me that are probably going through the same things that I’m going through. I have questions, I want to know more about other trans people’s journeys, and I want the world to get to know us past what seemed to be trending in media. Then I thought, what other women could join me in this process? Initially, I thought of Peppermint because she is such an activist, and Peppermint does such wonders with representing the community. So, I was like, let’s get some girls together. Let’s do a talk show and make it like The View or The Real.

I wanted women of color to be front-and-center, specifically trans women of color. So, I initially thought of myself and Peppermint, but I really thought about Carmen joining because even though she may have had a polarizing post-Drag Race life because of certain situations, I felt Carmen’s voice was very important in the thread of what drag, Drag Race, and transness. She’s very important, and then of course, I couldn’t forget about the one who started it all. Kylie was the first woman to come out on Drag Race. Yes, it was at the reunion, but she still came out on the show.

The one thing that held all four of us together, or what intertwines us together, is that we all walked through those pink doors. No matter where we go post-Drag Race, we walked through those pink doors. It’s very important that we remember that, and that’s how we initially got our pinky toes through the door to the industry. On top of that, we also made waves for ourselves outside of the Drag Race fandom. So, it was very important to have the four of us be the women to be at the helm of this talk show, and I’m glad that all three were like, sure, we’re game!

Ultimately, would you say that a show like Translation is beneficial?

I think it is very beneficial because I think specifically with the Drag Race fandom, there are a lot of preconceived notions of transness, trans women, and trans bodies. Trans men, too, because we obviously have Gottmik in the family now as well. I feel like when people think of drag and trans, they think it’s easier. No, it’s not easier. Nowadays, some girls don’t even pad or wear boobs. We’re all in the same boat here, but the way you customize your drag is up to you.

Your drag is your art, and at the end of the day, drag is an art form. Even trans women and trans men participate in the art form that is drag, and specifically trans women have been part of the drag culture from the very, very beginning. So, I think that it is very timely and important to have a show like this. We’re all trans women in the show, but we’re four very different women.

How would you say the show has evolved since last season?

You know, we all have relationships individually, but not as a collective. With the first season, I think we were just treading around each other and agreeing to agree. Also, a lot has happened within the year that we filmed Season 1 to Season 2. We filmed Season 2 a couple months after the release of All Stars, and obviously, Kylie won. Then I became a judge on Drag Race Philippines; Carmen was doing all this fashion stuff in Miami, and Peppermint is now either the spokeswoman or one of the chairpersons for GLAAD. We have all evolved, and our careers have blossomed even more from Season 1 to Season 2.

I think because of that, as women, we found strength in our voices and our point of view, and we weren’t shy to disagree this time around. Because we know each other on a different level now, not only were we able to disagree, but we were able to get our point across without ever overstepping each other or cutting each other off. We wanted to hear the other’s opinions. There has been tremendous growth within a year, and it was nice to be able to get our opinions out and still be very strong in our stance and point of view. I thought that was very beautiful.

Is there a topic that you all have discussed that was your favorite?

My favorite was about pageantry. Ever since I was a little kid, I have been obsessed with Miss Universe and pageants, and that’s honestly what kind of got me into the fold of the art form of drag. It was really kismet that within the week of announcing our premiere, our premiere episode was about pageantry, it was also the same time the announcement came out about this trans businesswoman now owning the Miss Universe franchise. Like, the world works in mysterious ways! Everything aligned. That was perfection to me.

What about a topic you haven’t covered and would like to touch on?

Personally, I would love to delve more into the good and bad of sex work, specifically survival sex work. It is very important to talk about survival as a trans person because there are so many legislations that are trying to keep us out. As people, we have to survive to live, but how can you expect a trans person to survive if you’re cutting off ways for them to make money or a living so they can exist? I am a former sex worker, and I have no shame in my past. I think that people should know the good and the bad of it.

Thankfully, a lot has changed in sex work now thanks to online, OnlyFans, and stuff like that. It’s a lot safer, but there’s still this dark side of it. I never want to glamorize something like sex work because it’s not for the faint of heart and it’s not for everybody, but I do think it’s important that we talk about it because it is very much a part of our community.

A lot of trans people, specifically trans women of color, fall into survival sex work, and it’s sometimes hard to exit unscathed or come out on the other side. A lot of that also has to do with your mental health. There’s a lot of intertwining situations when it comes to sex work.

Any word on if there will be a Season 3 of Translation?

I would hope so! I really hope so. I would love for the show to evolve and grow, but it can only grow if people pay attention and watch it. I know we have a very good show here, and I would hope for people to listen, pay attention to it, watch it, share it, and learn from it.

You mentioned Drag Race Philippines earlier, and I would like to circle back to that. How did you get involved with the show, and what did you take away from making your judging debut?

Again, it’s like the universe is working its way around for me (laughs). I’m a firm believer that what is meant for you is for you, and I feel like that’s what happened with this situation. I think it started with my promo look from All Stars because I’ve always been the kind of woman that is very rooted with my culture.

I’m a very proud Filipina woman, and I’m proud of my culture, so when I didn’t get a chance to wear my beautiful Philippine gown for the finale, I was hell bent on having something Filipino represented on me somewhere. I was like, let’s do it at the promo. I want to show them a little piece of me, and I don’t think people ever really realized that I’m a Filipina girl.

That one look, I received an outpouring mountain of support from the Filipino community. It was crazy, and I think that’s what really started it. They called and asked if I would be interested, and I said, absolutely! I’ll be the janitor. I’ll do whatever. Then, lo and behold, it was me judging. I honestly thought it was just going to be a guest situation. I didn’t think I was going to be one of the main judges.

What surprised you the most about being on the other side of the panel?

Oh my God, it was a lot harder than I thought! I thought it was going to be like, oh, the power! I can be a bitch, but nope! It’s because I realized I walked in those shoes. I’ve literally been there being critiqued, being told how bad your drag is and how bad you did in the challenge. So, I never wanted to be malicious. I wanted them to know that they had an older sister on this panel that wants them to do better not just in the competition, but outside afterwards.

I read that you talked with Michelle Visage beforehand. What is the best advice she gave you?

She told me to judge from the heart. Lead with your heart because it will never steer you wrong.

What would you say is the biggest difference between Filipino and American drag?

The Filipino humor is a little more sarcastic, and our reads are a lot more cutthroat. Like, we’re very direct. Hit me on the back, but mend it at the same time! They’re very sharp and to-the-point, but then there’s a solution with it too. I’m not just going to read you, but I’m going to tell you how you can fix it, too. Filipino drag humor is just different, and also, the Filipino drag work ethic is unmet.

Western queens have it so easy. Filipino girls will go in and rehearse at 5:00 p.m., run it through at 9:00 p.m., do the show at midnight, and then leave around 4:00 a.m. They have a full workday. Western queens clock in at maybe 45 minutes, an hour before the show, give the DJ our music, and hit it. That’s it. Maybe have a few drinks, then leave. For Filipino girls, it’s totally different for them. It’s a job.

Do you currently have any music or acting projects in the works?

I will be back for Season 2 of Drag Race Philippines, so I can’t wait for the new girls to come. Then hopefully there will be a third season of Translation!

What are some future goals you hope to accomplish with your career and platform?

I would love to do more acting, especially for a movie. I feel like that’s where my career should go. I feel like this is where I belong. The club stuff has been great, and that’s what got me in the door, but I feel now it’s time for Jiggly to evolve and be in movies and television again. Pose was a great steppingstone, working with greats like Ryan Murphy and Billy Porter. Like, come on. It doesn’t get any better than that.

Stay up-to-date and connect with Jiggly by following her on Instagram @jigglycalienteofficial. Translation is streaming exclusively on OUTtv.

Photos courtesy of David Laffe and Jiggly Caliente