Every year, the Krewe of Muses honors one distinguished woman with New Orleans connections who embodies the spirit of Muses. The Honorary Muse earns a coveted position in a 17-foot tall, fiber optic, red high-heel shoe at the beginning of our parade. These women have distinguished careers and inspire New Orleans women and future Muses, and we are honored to have celebrated Muses tHERsday with these goddesses.
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2026 Honorary Muse Soledad O’Brien
photo by: Joriann Maye-Keegan We are pleased to announce that award-winning journalist and producer, Soledad O’Brien, will reign as the 2026 Honorary Muse. She will be accompanied by her two daughters. “New Orleans is a city that has brought me and the world so much joy and this esteemed honor gives me a chance to…
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2025 Honorary Muse Rutina Wesley
The Krewe of Muses announced that award-winning actress Rutina Wesley will serve as the 2025 Honorary Muse when the popular all-female Carnival parade rolls through the Uptown New Orleans route on February 27. Known for her dynamic performances across television, film, and theater including “Last of Us” and “Queen Sugar,” Wesley will join the Krewe…
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2024 Honorary Muse Margaret Orr
Nationally recognized and locally adored WDSU Chief Meteorologist Margaret Orr will serve as the Honorary Muse for the 2024 Krewe of Muses parade, krewe captain Staci Rosenberg announced. Margaret Orr will be riding as Honorary Muse in the krewe’s iconic 17-foot tall fiber optic shoe float on “tHERsday” evening, February 8, 2024. “When we want to know the upcoming parade weather,…
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2023 Honorary Muse Irma Thomas
Irma Thomas the “Soul Queen of New Orleans” is most deserving of leading the Muses. She embodies the attributes and spirit of the nine muses, she is our own Euterpe, the Muse of Music. Krewe of Muses Captain, Staci Rosenberg Krewe of Muses Captain Staci Rosenberg announced today that Grammy Award-winning, legendary blues and gospel…
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2022 Honorary Muse Swin Cash
Swin Cash is most deserving of leading the Muses. Balancing extraordinary leadership with activist passions, she embodies the attributes and spirit of the nine muses. Krewe of Muses Captain, Staci Rosenberg We are excited to announce that NBA Executive, Gold Medal Olympian, WNBA Champion and All-Star, NCAA Champion and All-American, Activist and Philanthropist, Swin Cash will serve as…
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2020 Honorary Muse Jennifer Coolidge
“Jennifer Coolidge is most deserving of leading the Muses. We’ve spent 20 years trying to make the people of New Orleans laugh and earned a reputation for our wit and humor… So we celebrate our 20 years of sisterhood by honoring a New Orleans sister who makes the world laugh.” Krewe of Muses Captain Staci…
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2019 Honorary Muse Patricia Clarkson
Patricia Clarkson is the quintessential New Orleans girl and most deserving of leading the Muses for a historic second time. We are proud of her accomplishments then and now. The continuum of her professional work is the embodiment of the attributes and spirit of the nine muses. Patricia is an inspiration to women and girls.…
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2018 Honorary Muse LaToya Cantrell
“The Muses organization is among the best of New Orleans,” Cantrell said. “Muses delight in inclusion, creativity, and pure fun. These strong and thoughtful women also have an 18-year tradition of philanthropy and community service to those in need, especially children and families. I am honored to be considered a Muse sister for this one…
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2017 Honorary Muse Tamron Hall
Today, the Krewe of Muses announced that award-winning journalist Tamron Hall will serve as the Krewe’s Honorary Muse for the 2017 parade. As Honorary Muse, Tamron will lead the carnival organization’s seventeenth parade, on February 23, 2017. Hall will ride in the Krewe of Muses’s iconic shoe float, a 17-foot tall fiber optic encrusted red…
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2016 Honorary Muse Solange Knowles
Today, the Krewe of Muses announced that New Orleans resident, Solange Knowles, the singer/songwriter, founder of Saint Records and noted creative director will serve as the Krewe’s Honorary Muse, Solange will lead the carnival organization’s sixteenth parade, on February 4, 2016. Solange will ride in the Krewe of Muses’s iconic shoe float, a 17-foot tall…
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2015 Honorary Muse Sue Zemanick
Today, the Krewe of Muses announced that Sue Zemanick, Executive Chef at Gautreau’s and Ivy, will serve as the Krewe’s Honorary Muse. Chef Sue Zemanick began her culinary career at the early age of 15 while working in fine dining restaurants in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. She quickly learned that cooking was her passion and calling. After…
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2014 Honorary Muse Julia Reed
Today, the Krewe of Muses announced that Julia Reed, contributing editor at Elle Décor and Garden & Gun magazine, will serve as the Krewe’s Honorary Muse. Reed also contributes to The Wall Street Journal, Architectural Digest, and The New York Times, as well as to the websites Taigan.com andwowOwow.com. She is a frequent guest on…
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2013 Honorary Muse Ruby Bridges
The Krewe of Muses announces that Ruby Bridges, lecturer and founder of the Ruby Bridges Foundation will serve as the Krewe’s Honorary Muse. The Ruby Bridges Foundation’s mission is to empower children to advance social justice and racial harmony. The Honorary Muse recognition project honors women who have proven themselves as role models to the…
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Muses 2012 Honorary Muse Patricia Clarkson
WNOL NEW ORLEANS – N.O. native and award-winning actress Patricia Clarkson has been named the Honorary Muse for the 2012 season, the krewe announced Thursday. Clarkson will lead the parade from the iconic 17-foot tall fiber optic-encrusted red pump shoe float. The krewe said it chose Clarkson because she is a woman the Krewe deemed the embodiment…
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2011 Honorary Muse Liz McCartney
Our 2011 Honorary Muse is Liz McCartney, Director of Development and Co-Founder of St. Bernard Project, a non-profit organization that rebuilds storm-damaged homes and lives in St. Bernard and Orleans Parishes. And we are not the only ones who are proud of her accomplishments and dedication: Liz was named the CNN Hero of the Year in…
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Muses 2010 Honorary Muse Mary Matalin
The Krewe of Muses has named Mary Matalin as Honorary Calliope, Muse of Epic Poetry. The 2010 featured muse is Calliope, traditionally known as the Muse of Epic Poetry. The name Calliope translates to “beauty of voice”, and she was also known as the muse of eloquence and persuasion due to her wise counsel and guidance. In the spirit of the season,…
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2009 Honorary Muse Kim Rivers Roberts
Melpomene, Muse of Tragedy – Kimberly Rivers Roberts Kimberly Rivers Roberts is the star of the award-winning Katrina documentary “Trouble the Water,” with first-person footage during the storm shot by Roberts with a hand-held camcorder she had purchased on the street only days before the storm. The movie tells the story of Roberts, who is…
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2008 Honorary Muse Marva Wright
Polymnia, Muse of Sacred Song – Marva Wright Known as Louisiana’s Blues Queen, “Marvelous Marva” is a gospel and soul powerhouse. She has performed in venues all over the world – including the U.S., France, Italy, Germany, Belgium, Holland, Russia, Norway, Sweden, and Brazil. Wright has collaborated with many talented musicians including Harry Connick Jr.,…
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2007 Honorary Muse Brenda Marie Osbey
Erato, the Muse of Poetry – Brenda Marie Osbey Brenda Marie Osbey, the Poet Laureate of the State of Louisiana, has taught numerous literature subjects around the country and has twice been appointed visiting writer-in residence at Tulane University and scholar-in-residence at Southern University. She has conducted seminars and colloquia in literature, creative writing, and…
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2006 Honorary Muse Becky Zaheri
Urania, the Muse of Astronomy – Becky Zaheri Muse Becky Zaheri is the founder of the Katrina Krewe. The Katrina Krewe has organized over 1,000 volunteers to clean up the streets of New Orleans twice a week. Muses is proud to be able to honor one of our own members with a ride in the…
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2005 Honorary Muse Charmaine Neville
Euterpe, the Muse of Music – Charmaine Neville Charmaine Neville will be “Euterpe,” Muse of Music and Flutes. She was born into the third generation of New Orleans’ legendary musical Neville family. Charmaine has nonetheless worked hard to get where she is and make her music known as her own. As “Euterpe” Miss. Neville will ride…
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2004 Honorary Muse Becky Allen
The Krewe of Muses announced today, Becky Allen, “Miss Mardi Gras,” one of the most recognized icons of New Orleans will be “Thalia” Honorary Muse of Comedy 2004. She has been entertaining both local and international audiences for decades, first gaining prominence on the historic stages of Le Petit Theatre and The Beverly Dinner Theatre.…
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2003 Honorary Muse Maria Giacobbe
Terpsichore, the Muse of Dance – Maria Giacobbe
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2002 Honorary Muse Cherice Harrison-Nelson
Clio, the Muse of History – Cherice Harrison-Nelson