From Bounce Dancing to Brand Deals: A Sit Down Interview with Antionique “Tootie Tootz” Price

Antionique Price, better known as Tootie Toots, represents a new generation of New Orleans creatives whose stories are rooted in community, culture, and transformation.

Her journey — from the porch steps of the 8th Ward to becoming a brand ambassador for Coach — is more than personal success; it’s a case study in how cultural legacy, talent, and timing converge.

Raised in a tight-knit pocket of the 8th Ward, Antionique’s early life revolved around block parties, front porch card games, and neighborhood traditions. The rhythm of the city was present from the start — not just in music, but in everyday movement. That rhythm later evolved into dance, performance, and eventually professional touring.

Her adolescence was interrupted by Hurricane Katrina. Forced to evacuate to Leesville, she experienced displacement, bullying, and the challenges of being labeled a “refugee.” Yet the trauma of starting over sharpened her resilience. When she returned to New Orleans, she reconnected with the city not through institutions, but through bounce — a cultural language she already spoke fluently.

It was in the skating rinks that her identity began to crystalize. While many of her peers found belonging in school programs, she found hers under neon lights and through dance crews like the Game Ova Girls. The skating rink became her stage, and bounce became both a refuge and a release.

Her breakout moment came with the now-iconic Walmart video — a viral clip that captured not just her skill, but a piece of New Orleans culture that had rarely been seen on such a scale. The video’s success was organic, a raw expression of community energy that resonated globally. It led to opportunities, including a pivotal one: joining Big Freedia’s dance team.

Over the next 15 years, Tootie danced on national tours, appeared in reality TV series, and helped define the visual language of modern bounce. While the movement was often misunderstood or reduced to spectacle, she remained focused on the deeper impact — healing, joy, and liberation through performance.

Now, she’s entering a new chapter. In 2025, she received the call confirming her appointment as a Coach brand ambassador, marking a milestone in her evolution from dancer to brand-builder. The partnership wasn’t luck — it was the result of years of presence, professionalism, and authentic style. Long before the deal, she was already loyal to the Coach brand, collecting vintage pieces and building relationships with store staff. The opportunity arrived not through celebrity channels, but through consistency and presence.

Outside of the spotlight, Tootie is expanding her entrepreneurial footprint. She runs a travel business, manages vending machine investments, and continues to explore content creation. The work isn’t about ego or flash — it’s about ownership, longevity, and generational positioning.

Her story reflects the reality for many Black women in New Orleans: navigating expectations, holding multiple identities, and constantly evolving. Antionique Price didn’t wait for permission. She built her platform through culture, community, and unapologetic self-expression.

Now, she’s no longer just representing the city. She’s redefining it.