Local Shero: Big Freedia

“Sometimes I feel like people make too big a deal of labels in general. I just say be who you want to be. My music, my fashion, my look—I’m in my own category,” the flamboyant, sparkling musician told us. This is exactly what Big Freedia is known for: her remarkable music, extravagant fashion sense, and ability to stand out from the crowd. She’s inspiring, she’s unforgettably unique, and that’s why she’s our local shero.

Born and raised in New Orleans, Frederick “Freddie” Ross is most commonly known by her stage name, Big Freedia, or the “Queen of Bounce.” Just like bounce music, a genre that originated in New Orleans in the late 1980s, Big Freedia is energetic and lively. She grew up on Josephine Street and realized she wanted to perform when her mom took her to church and she fell in love with the choir at age four, after which she started singing in the choir and playing the piano. Freedia considers her mom, the late Vera Ross, her number one role model because she helped her become who she is today. “[She] watched over me closely and guided me,” Freedia said and added, “Being gay in New Orleans in the 90s was hard. My mom would always encourage me to be strong in who I was.”

WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU HAD KNOWN WHEN YOU WERE 13?

That life was going to be just fine and to not stress the small stuff.

Determined to make her mom proud, Freedia did well in school Determined to make her mom proud, Freedia did well in school (she went to Walter L. Cohen High School) and had a lot of friends. But life wasn’t all fun. Freedia had many bullies and used to fight back verbally or even physically. But she doesn’t blame them anymore; she knows that they were going through tough times and hopes they are in a better place now. “Bullies are very hurt people and need love,” she shared. Freedia knows that haters are going to hate and has learned to just ignore it all. What matters is that you love yourself, and that you are happy. Eventually, she became the school choir director and discovered her love for writing and producing songs. In 1999, Freedia released her own bounce single, “An Ha, Oh Yeah.” A few years later, in 2003, she released Queen Diva, her first studio album.

When Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005, Big Freedia evacuated to Houston, which didn’t stop her from spreading the good ole’ New Orleans spirit. She sang her bounce music for the locals, making the previously unknown New Orleans genre popular in Texas. After Freedia returned to NOLA, she began to lift spirits all around New Orleans by performing her music wherever and whenever she could, slowly helping rebuild this city with her music. Her performance at Voodoo Fest 2009 kickstarted her national career. Since then, she has become an award-winning artist, collaborated with other well-known artists like Drake, Beyoncé, Kesha, and Lizzo, starred in her own reality TV show, and written a memoir.

Each time Freedia performs, she wears elaborate costumes that have included capes, head-to-toe gold, and feathers. Her hair is always stunning, always changing color and style. Freedia is a gay male who likes to dress up and uses feminine pronouns, but that does not mean that she is transgender. Do not put her in a category. She just is who she is. Asked what makes her a leader, she responded: “I’m not afraid to be who I am, even if it doesn’t fit into the norm of society.”

To her, success means: “Achieving goals, no matter how small or big. Setting your mind to something and finishing.” No matter what the goal is, if you achieve it, you succeed. Find what inspires you and do it. Big Freedia took her passion for music, fashion, and design and made it part of her life. She surrounded herself with family to inspire and support her. During her entire career, Big Freedia has stayed true to herself and advocated for people to be themselves, shining bright through it all and ignoring haters. What she would hope to be remembered for most? “For being an original.” She certainly will be.

TOP 5 FAVORITE ARTISTS

Beyoncé • Kesha • Patti LaBelle • Kelly Price • Khalid

 Each time Freedia performs, she wears elaborate costumes that have included capes, head-to-toe gold, and feathers. Her hair is always stunning, always changing color and style. Freedia is a gay male who likes to dress up and uses feminine pronouns, but that does not mean that she is transgender. Do not put her in a category. She just is who she is. Asked what makes her a leader, she responded: “I’m not afraid to be who I am, even if it doesn’t fit into the norm of society.”

To her, success means: “Achieving goals, no matter how small or big. Setting your mind to something and finishing.” No matter what the goal is, if you achieve it, you succeed. Find what inspires you and do it. Big Freedia took her passion for music, fashion, and design and made it part of her life. She surrounded herself with family to inspire and support her. During her entire career, Big Freedia has stayed true to herself and advocated for people to be themselves, shining bright through it all and ignoring haters. What she would hope to be remembered for most? “For being an original.” She certainly will be.

WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU’RE FEELING DOWN AND DISCOURAGED?
“Listen to music.”