It’s time to crown the King and Queen of Mardi Gras! As we look ahead to Mardi Gras Day, a tradition that dates back centuries, we now know who will take the lead roles in the Carnival festivities. After much anticipation, the 2021 Rex King and Queen of Mardi Gras have been revealed! Keep reading to find out who will be presiding over this year’s celebration.
Meet the new Rex, King of Carnival
This year, Mardi Gras is set to be even more special with the announcement of the new Rex, King of Carnival. Since 1872, the Rex Organization has been selecting a King and Queen of Carnival to preside over Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans. This year, the honor of Rex goes to local celebrity Chef John Besh.
Chef John Besh is a celebrated chef and restaurateur in New Orleans, and has recently been recognized by Food & Wine magazine as one of the “Best New Chefs” of 2012. He is well known for his unique Louisiana-style cooking that has made him a local favorite. He is also a philanthropist and has been actively involved in many charitable causes throughout the years.
As Rex, Chef Besh will be the center of the festivities on Mardi Gras Day. His role as King of Carnival will include leading the annual parade through the French Quarter and presenting the floats at the end of the parade. He will also serve as an ambassador for Mardi Gras, spreading its message of joy and goodwill to all who participate in the celebrations.
We are looking forward to seeing what Chef John Besh has in store for us as Rex, King of Carnival!
Get to know the new Queen of Carnival
This year’s Queen of Carnival is Nia Roberts, a 20-year-old college student from New Orleans. Nia has been involved with Mardi Gras since she was young, attending the parades and helping out with the floats. She has been a part of many of the organizations that contribute to the celebration of Mardi Gras, including Zulu and the Rex Organization.
Nia is excited to take on the role of Queen of Carnival this year, and she looks forward to representing the city and its culture in a meaningful way. Her costume will reflect the theme of this year’s carnival: “Our City, Our Culture.” She hopes to bring attention to the vibrant culture that Mardi Gras represents, and to inspire people to appreciate it.
As Queen of Carnival, Nia will be wearing a vibrant gold gown decorated with colorful feathers and beads, a symbol of the vibrancy of Mardi Gras. She will be riding a float made in the shape of a jester hat, covered in purple, green, and gold feathers to represent the colors of Carnival.
Nia is thrilled to be part of the festivities and can’t wait for Mardi Gras Day!
What they'll be wearing on Mardi Gras day
The Rex King and Queen of Carnival will be dressed in all their finery as they celebrate Mardi Gras Day. Rex will be wearing a gold and purple uniform with his signature scepter and plumed hat, while the Queen will be wearing a purple and white satin gown with a matching cape and crown. Both will be adorned with beads and other traditional Mardi Gras decorations. They will also be accompanied by the court of maids and pages, all dressed in their own colors and designs. It will be a sight to behold!
What the float will look like
The parade will be led by the grand Rex float, featuring King and Queen of Carnival for 2021. The float is a majestic vision of Carnival – over 30 feet high and 50 feet long, it is decorated with traditional Carnival colors and ornate details.
The float has two levels, with the King and Queen riding atop the upper level. At the rear of the float are a pair of papier-mâché lions crafted by local artists, while a massive gold and purple crown adorns the top of the float. Other features include intricate mosaics, a musical band, and four royal attendants in ornate costumes.
The bottom half of the float is designed to look like a vibrant ocean of confetti, shimmering with thousands of colored strands made of aluminum foil, plastic, and shiny ribbons. The effect is truly stunning, with the festive colors and glimmering light of the carnival reflecting off the sides of the float.
The float will travel down Canal Street during the Mardi Gras Day parade, giving onlookers an up close and personal view of the King and Queen of Carnival. This one-of-a-kind float is sure to draw a huge crowd, and make for a memorable Mardi Gras experience.
The theme of this year's Carnival
“Celebrating Our Community” has been selected as the theme of this year’s Carnival. As part of the theme, the King and Queen will be dedicating their reign to celebrating the cultural diversity and rich history of the community. The float design for this year is also inspired by this theme, showcasing the vibrant colors, symbols, and objects that represent our culture. The float will feature bold visuals with a bright, eye-catching color palette. This year’s theme serves as an homage to our diverse community and how far it has come over the years. As the King and Queen tour the streets on Mardi Gras Day, they will be honoring the strength of our city and its people.