New Orleans Carnival history just got a new twist: the Krewe of Oshun has tapped Quoc Nguyen and Amanda Nguyen as its 31st king and queen, and officials say they will be the first Asian American royal pair to rule together over a New Orleans Mardi Gras krewe.
Coronation Night at Commander's and a Friday Parade Slot
The couple is set to be officially crowned at Oshun's Royal Coronation on Aug. 15 at Commander's Palace, where the krewe will formally present its 2027 royalty. Looking ahead to parade season, the Oshun procession is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 29, 2027, with the route starting at Napoleon Avenue and Magazine Street, according to Krewe of Oshun.
First Asian American King-and-Queen Duo
Nguyen and Nguyen will reign over the 2027 parade under the theme "Jewels of the River" as Oshun's 31st king and queen. Krewe officials told WGNO that this is the first time an Asian American king and queen have reigned together over a New Orleans Mardi Gras krewe, a milestone that adds another layer of representation to the Carnival season.
What Oshun Brings to Carnival
Founded in 1996, the Krewe of Oshun was created to give people of ordinary means a place in Carnival, carving out a spot for revelers who wanted in on the action without the deep pockets some older krewes require. It holds the coveted first Friday-night slot on the parade calendar, a prime piece of real estate in the Mardi Gras lineup.
The group's website lists Gian Durand as captain and outlines a slate of member events tied to Oshun's 30th-anniversary season, according to Krewe of Oshun.
How This Fits into a Changing Royal Roster
Oshun's pick lands squarely in a broader shift toward more diverse Carnival courts, as krewes continue to reconsider who gets to wear the crowns and ride the floats up front. Reporting from Axios noted an earlier breakthrough when the Krewe of ALLA named its first Black king and queen, signaling how parade royalty has started to look more like the city itself.
The Oshun coronation is expected to be a public-facing event, with the krewe set to release more information on membership and ticketing as August approaches. For locals already eyeing their 2027 parade plans, Quoc and Amanda Nguyen give that first Friday-night roll a new storyline to watch when Carnival season returns.
