On Saturday, April 15th, Netflix partnered with Xavier University of Louisiana (XULA) and New Orleans icon Big Freedia for the upcoming Shondaland series, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, with a ‘Spring Waltz’ for students featuring a performance by the Queen of Bounce herself on the school’s campus. As a surprise, an unveiling of Xavier University’s first ever marching band uniform was presented to much fanfare and pride as a gift from Queen Charlotte.
The Original Pinettes Brass Band performs onstage during the Queen Charlotte Spring Waltz at Xavier University on April 15, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images for Netflix. Big Freedia performs onstage during the Queen Charlotte Spring Waltz at Xavier University on April 15, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images for Netflix. Miss Dillard University Jerika Edwards and Mister Dillard University Spencer Miles Jones attend the Queen Charlotte Spring Waltz at Xavier University on April 15, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images for Netflix.
The celebration was a love letter to royal culture at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Campus royalty appearances were made by Dr. Reynold Verret, XULA’s President, and Patrice Bell, XULA’s Vice President of Administration to the campus queens including Nina Giddens – Miss Xavier University of Louisiana, Aleya Barber – Miss Tuskegee University, Jerika Edwards – Miss Dillard University, and Taverlyn Shepard – Miss Prairie View A&M University.
Miss Xavier University of Louisiana Nina Giddens and Mister Xavier University of Louisiana Zion Rouege attend the Queen Charlotte Spring Waltz at Xavier University on April 15, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images for Netflix. Big Freedia performs during the Queen Charlotte Spring Waltz at Xavier University on April 15, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images for Netflix. Dancers attend the Queen Charlotte Spring Waltz at Xavier University on April 15, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images for Netflix.
The evening was hosted by iHeartRadio personality and songwriter Sheba Songz and included performances from the all-female Original Pinettes Brass Band, as well as from the XULA’s Gold Star Dance team ‘The Golden Starlettes’. The night was followed by a high-energy show by Big Freedia performing her recently released Bridgerton themed “Hey Queen” New Orleans Bounce Remix.
Sheba Songz, Big Freedia, and dancers attend the Queen Charlotte Spring Waltz at Xavier University on April 15, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images for Netflix. Miss Xavier University of Louisiana Nina Giddens, Big Freedia, and the XULA Royal Court attend the Queen Charlotte Spring Waltz at Xavier University on April 15, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images for Netflix. The Original Pinettes Brass Band performs onstage during the Queen Charlotte Spring Waltz at Xavier University on April 15, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images for Netflix.
The evening’s celebration took place on and around a floral circular stage that was rendered from the crown Queen Charlotte wears in the show. The 20-foot tall crown weighs over 2000 lbs and has over 1,600 intricate beads as well as 160 metal-cut flowers.
Centered on Queen Charlotte’s rise to prominence and power, this Bridgerton-verse prequel tells the story of how the young Queen’s marriage to King George sparked both a great love story and a societal shift, creating the world of the Ton inherited by the characters in Bridgerton.
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story launches globally on May 4th, 2023 on Netflix.
Big Freedia “Hey Queen” Music Video | Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story | Netflix
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story | Official Trailer | Netflix
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