Award-winning journalist and television anchor Soledad O’Brien is embracing her role as Honorary Muse for the Krewe of Muses in their 2026 Muses parade.
Prior to her arrival, O’Brien had underestimated the power of Mardi Gras in Louisiana.
“They had said to me, ‘When you get off the plane, have makeup on your face and you wear something glittery,” O’Brien said. “I was thinking, ‘She can’t mean right off the plane.’ I mean, how could they do that with TSA?”
Soledad O’Brien speaks with Jan Risher at the home of Blake Devillier and Jerad Gardemal, Wednesday, February 11, 2026, in Baton Rouge, La.
Nonetheless, she took the instructions to heart, changing into sparkles and adding eyeliner in the airplane bathroom 45 minutes before touchdown. Once she stepped off the plane, she was glad she had. A band greeted her and led her through the airport, with fellow travelers cheering along the way.
“I can’t even describe it. I’ve never seen anything like it, and I’ve certainly never experienced anything like it,” she said. “It was great.”
The group did a quick tour of the float that she’ll be riding in the parade on Thursday night.
“I’ve never seen the float really up close because I just was never assigned that as a story,” she said. “We practiced sitting in the shoe. At first, I was like, I don’t need a harness — until I got to the top. And I said, ‘I think I’ll use that harness.’ That thing is tall.”
Soledad O’Brien shares a laugh with Jan Risher at the home of Blake Devillier and Jerad Gardemal, Wednesday, February 11, 2026, in Baton Rouge, La.
O’Brien’s two daughters are joining her for the Mardi Gras festivities, including riding with her in the parade. She had some time to take a walk through the city and grab some chargrilled oysters.
Then she headed to Baton Rouge for a dinner party with fellow Muses at the home of her friends, Blake Devillier and Jerad Gardemal, who have also hosted her in their New York City home.
The Baton Rouge home was decked to the nines in high heels with cries of, “Hail Muses,” ringing throughout. In all, 18 guests enjoyed the evening, including appetizers of boudin and fried meat pies, shrimp and grits, filet mignon, glazed red cabbage and potatoes — with individual king cakes for dessert.
“We tried to make the menu as Louisiana as possible,” said Gardemal.
Each guest received an elaborate headpiece or Mardi Gras boutonniere. The attention to detail for the event was obvious.
Blake Devillier shows off a Muses shoe gifted to him during a Muses party with Soledad O’Brien, Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at his home in Baton Rouge, La.
Devillier said he wanted to make the evening special for his old friend.
“I really adore Soledad. I knew her based on her work before I knew her personally,” Devillier said. “I think it’s a really cool way to celebrate Mardi Gras with old friends and new friends.”
O’Brien says she is grateful for the over-the-top hospitality and is ready for what happens next.
“What they’re describing for me, which I’m so excited to see,” she said. “They said, ‘When you turn the corner onto St. Charles, that you really can’t understand what it’s like.’ I’m ready for that.”
As the parade approaches, O’Brien seems ready to trade the newsroom for a towering high heel — glitter, harness and all.
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