Big Freedia twerking her way to stardom
She was caught up in a housing scandal and faces prison, performed on Beyonce's epic song "Formation" and in the accompanying video, made headlines for being banned for bringing twerking — her signature style of overtly sexual dance — to a Mississippi club and continues to have one of the highest rated reality shows on digital cable network Fuse.
[...] on Saturday, she returned to the Congo Square Stage at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, where her audiences have grown since her first appearance five years ago.
Dressed in a white shirt and purple, sparkly sequence pants, Freedia opened her set — backed by a live band — singing the lyrics "I'm that queen that'll make you bounce!" to the delight of many in the audience stretched far and wide.
Umbrellas opened and fans donned ponchos as Freedia moved into another hit that included the lyrics "release your wiggle."
From back-up dancer for Katey Red, the first gay bounce rap artist, to now running her own stage, Big Freedia said in an interview prior to Saturday's performance she still can't believe her career has thrived as much as it has.
The rhythmic, infectious beat during Freedia's performance had many in the crowd trying to mimic her dancers' moves — some better than others.
In March, the entertainer pleaded guilty to theft of government funds linked to housing assistance she received from 2009 through 2014.