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Below are the celebrity riders for Mardi Gras 2013
Endymion: International pop sensation Kelly Clarkson will be Grand Marshall and the headline performer at the Extravaganza. Clarkson is best known as the winner of the inaugural season of American Idol and the biggest selling American Idol alumnus. Clarkson is known for her powerhouse voice and vocal versatility. Her music has mainly dealt with themes of heartbreak, independence, and self-empowerment for women. Clarkson’s fifth and latest album “stronger” became her most commercially successful. She has two Grammy™ Awards three MTV Music Awards, twelve Billboard Music Awards, four American Music Awards, and a Woman’s World Award. Billboard also ranked Clarkson as one of the top fifteen artists of the 2000’s.
Bacchus: Actor G.W. Bailey, best known for his roles in the “Police Academy” movies and the cable TV crime drama “The Closer,” will reign this year. Bailey’s recent career highlights have included a starring role on the TNT cable drama “The Closer.” He appeared in all episodes during the show’s seven-season run. Bailey now stars in a spinoff, “Major Crimes,” continuing his role as Detective Lt. Louie Provenza.
Orpheus: Actor Gary Sinise and New Orleans musicians Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews and Harry Connick Jr. will lead the parade of the Krewe of Orpheus on the evening of Lundi Gras, the day before Fat Tuesday. They also will perform at the glitzy ball that follows.
The celebrity riders were announced Thursday at Mardi Gras World, where many Carnival floats are built.
Orpheus marks its 20th anniversary when it parades Feb. 11.
The krewe was co-founded in 1993 by Connick and Sonny Borey, the krewe's captain. It has about 1,200 members and is known for attracting celebrities.
Connick will perform an original song he wrote for the anniversary, called "Smokey Mary Boogie Woogie Choo Choo." The song will be on Connick's upcoming album of Carnival music.
