Big Freedia bounces back to the A for a show at Terminal West

She’s not only the “Queen of Bounce,” these days Big Freedia is the queen of busy.

After a fierce duet with RuPaul, Big Freedia dropped “Just Be Free,” a batch of booty poppin’ tracks guaranteed to make even the rhythmless twerk, in June. Now, she’s embarking on a fall tour that’s making stops in 20-plus cities between now and Halloween, and her hit Fuse show, “Big Freedia: Queen of Bounce,” was just renewed for not one but two seasons.

We caught up with Big Freedia to chat about her Sept. 29 show in Atlanta at Terminal West, why she takes her role in the LGBT community seriously and how she’s still waiting for Miley Cyrus to call.

You’ve had one helluva summer dropping your album “Just Be Free,” your show “Big Freedia: Queen of Bounce” was just renewed for not one but two seasons and you’re kicking off a 20-city fall tour—is there anywhere Big Freedia isn’t bouncing these days?

In China. That’s the next place I wanna conquer.

You named your album “Just Be Free.” I’m curious if there have been times in your career where you haven’t felt free?

Most definitely. When I was younger and first starting out, there were lots of people who weren’t so accepting. It took years and lots of supportive friends and family for me to really “feel free.”
Identity politics has experienced an explosive growth in the past few years.

In a 2011 interview with “Offbeat” you said “I am not transgendered; I am just a gay male … I wear women’s hair and carry a purse, but I am a man. I answer to either he or she.” How invested are you in these politics?

Well, I’m very invested. Of course, I take my position as a leader of the LGBT community seriously. I want all the lesbians and gay youth to feel like they can see someone who has been through it and come out OK on the other side. All that said, I also try not to let it consume me. That’s what I want people to get from a Big Freedia show. Free your azzzzzz and your mind will follow.

After last year’s MTV VMA awards, you said that Miley Cyrus needed to give you, The Queen of Twerking, a call so you could ‘give her ass some lessons.’ Have you gotten your chance?

Not yet, but I’m still here (laughs).

You released your first single 15 years ago. What do you think about when you reflect on when you began performing and the level of success you’ve reached now?

I never ever thought I’d come this far, so I feel very grateful. I always think about my mom though. I wish she could see me now and experience all this with me.

You have a longtime friendship with Katey Red, and you collaborated with RuPaul on their most current record—are those friendships the inspiration behind “Where My Queens At” or is every Big Freedia fan a queen?

That song was meant for anyone who considers themselves royal!

If you could collaborate with any artist, living or dead, who would it be and why?

Dead: Michael Jackson. Alive: Beyoncé. The King and Queen.

Although you just wrapped up Season 2, can you share any sneak peeks from the upcoming seasons of “Big Freedia: Queen of Bounce?”

I really can’t because its not scripted and what comes out is very organic. Once we start shooting, I’ll know. But you can bet there will be bookoo drama, as always!

What can fans expect from the tour?

Big Freedia times 10! We’ve taken our show to a new level, working with a new choreographer, and really bringing a performance to fans.