Much-admired television anchor Soledad O’Brien will serve as Honorary Muse in the 2026 Muses Mardi Gras parade that rolls on Feb. 12. Known for her starring stints on CNN’s American Morning, Starting Point and other high-profile broadcasts, O’Brien has earned 10 Emmy Awards, multiple Peabody Awards, and an Edward R. Murrow Award. She now hosts the weekly talk show Matter of Fact with Soledad O’Brien.
O’Brien joins a list of 25 previous Honorary Muses, who have reigned over the all-female parading group, including actor Rutina Wesley, meteorologist Margaret Orr, singer Irma Thomas, WNBA star Swin Cash, actor Jennifer Coolidge, actor Patricia Clarkson and former mayor LaToya Cantrell.
New Orleans is a city that has brought me and the world so much joy and this esteemed honor gives me a chance to show my appreciation for the brilliance in its people, culture and history,” O’Brien said in a prepared statement.
Note that the popular Muses parade is expected to begin an hour earlier than usual this year at roughly 6:30 p.m. following the Chaos and Babylon parades on the uptown proute.
The 2026 New Orleans Carnival season starts on Tuesday, Jan. 6, and concludes on Mardi Gras, Tuesday, Feb. 17. The list of parades below will …
For years now, the Thursday evening before Mardi Gras has been a not-to-miss highlight of the Carnival calendar. It’s Muses Thursday, or tHERS…
The Camel Toe Lady Steppers, the Bearded Oysters, the Muff-A-Lottas, the Cherry Bombs.
