These Stars Are Mardi Gras Royalty

The week-long celebration known as Mardi Gras comes to a conclusion today (March 4th), and it’s time to celebrate! Mardi Gras, also known as “Fat Tuesday,” is a celebration that happens the day before the Christian season of Lent begins. It’s famous for music, costumes, and parties, especially in places like New Orleans. People indulge in rich, fatty foods on this day because traditionally, Lent is a season of fasting. Mardi Gras’ origin goes back to ancient Roman and European spring festivals, which were later combined with Christian traditions. The French brought the celebration to North America in the 1700s, where it became the massive event it is today. Every year, Mardi Gras draws many famous faces, with celebrities becoming part of the festivities through different Krewes. The Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club, one of the most prominent African American Krewes, often honors Black celebrities as part of their celebrations. Zulu and Krewes like it have a rich history of African American culture and tradition in the festivities.

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It’s apparent that Mardi Gras is a spectacle unlike any other. That’s apparent by all of the big names that make appearances year after year. Stars not only show up, but they also participate in the fun. Being asked to serve as Mardi Gras royalty is a huge deal, and not everyone can say that they’ve had the pleasure. To highlight the ones who have and to celebrate Fat Tuesday, we put together a gallery of stars who have been grand marshals or parade kings/queens. Let us know who were your favorites! HAPPY MARDI GRAS!

1. Shaquille O'Neal

Shaquille O’Neal reigned as the 2025 Krewe of Bacchus Celebrity Monarch. During the Krewe of Bacchus parade, Shaq threw around 250,000 doubloons with his face on them, and he threw about 1,000 small basketballs. 

2. Toya Johnson

The Six Ward Steppers named New Orleans native Toya Johnson queen at The Great Gatsby Ball at Mardi Gras World last year, January 12, 2024 in New Orleans. 

3. Dionne Warwick

The legendary singer was queen of the Krewe of Louisianians in Washinton, D.C. in 1992.

4. 2025 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones – Arrivals

The actress, singer, and rapper was a grand marshal in the Zulu parade in 2003. 

5. Spike Lee

All-time great filmmaker Spike Lee was Grand Marshal of the Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club’s 2018 Zulu Parade on February 13, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

6. Celebrity Sightings In Los Angeles – February 27, 2025

The iconic singer and songwriter served as the king of the Krewe of Endymion in 2019.

7. Halle Berry

The actress was queen of the Krewe of Endymion in 2009.

8. Portrait Of Louis Armstrong

The legendary jazz musician was crowned King Zulu in 1949, a significant honor in the Black community during Mardi Gras.

9. 2025 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones – Arrivals

The actress, known for her role in Empire, was crowned queen of the Krewe of Endymion in 2019.

10. Big Freedia

The New Orleans bounce music star has been featured prominently in Mardi Gras celebrations and honored by several Krewes. In this picture, Big Freedia reigns as the Supreme Green Fairy of the 2024 Krewe Boheme parade during Mardi Gras 2024  in New Orleans, Louisiana. 

11. Steve Harvey

The comedian and talk show host served as the grand marshal of the Zulu parade in 1999. 

12. Jay-Z

The rapper and entrepreneur was an honorary guest of the Zulu Krewe in 2008, a notable presence during the celebration. 

13. Gladys Knight

The soul music legend was queen of the Krewe of Muses in 2009. 

14. Master P

The rapper and entrepreneur from New Orleans has always been heavily involved in Mardi Gras celebrations and honored by local Krewes. 

15. Richard Pryor

The legendary comedian served as king of Bacchus in 1981. 

16. Essence Atkins

The actress was crowned queen of the Krewe of Nefertiti, a prominent Black women’s Krewe, in 2022. 

17. 2022 Mardi Gras

New Orleans native and actor, known for his role in the Marvel movies, served as the king of Bacchus in 2022.