Actress and singer Audra McDonald, a six-time Tony Award winner, will lead the 2024 Rose Parade as grand marshal on New Years’ Day, the Tournament of Roses officials announced Friday, Dec. 1, amid a festive morning ceremony at the Tournament House in Pasadena.
McDonald is best known for her accomplished career on the Broadway stage, where she’s been awarded more Tony Award performance wins than any other actor — including a win in all four acting categories, winning three before the age of 30.
She will ride in the 135th Rose Parade, themed “Celebrating a World of Music,” and participate in the pre-game celebration by tossing the coin at the CFP Semifinal at the 110th Rose Bowl Game both on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024.
On the steps of the Tournament House Friday morning, McDonald recalled how she and her father would watch the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl every year.
“This is for you dad,” she said.
McDonald grew up in Fresno before attended the prestigious Julliard School performing arts conservatory in New York City. In addition to her Tony Award dominance, she’s also won two Grammy Awards and an Emmy Award.
Rose Parade grand marshals are chosen by the Tournament of Roses Association President. The president — this year it’s Alex Aghajanian, a longtime supporter of the Tournament — selects a handful of candidates and the Tournament of Roses marketing staff secures a commitment from one of them.
In recent days, the Tournament of Roses had given a hint on who the grand marshal could be, noting that it was someone who had won three of the coveted four grand slam entertainment awards, the Emmy, the Oscar, the Tony and the Grammy. That put McDonald in heavy-duty company, prompting some fun water cooler conversation.
The grand marshal announcement this year came later than it’s typical mid-October reveal, adding to the anticipation.
In fitting with the theme, Tournament of Roses President Alex Aghajanian, who selects the parade’s grand marshal and theme, said he wanted to choose someone that embodies a love of music.
“Music is a universal language one that we can all enjoy together,” Aghajanian said. “It transcends everything… Best of all it unites us.”
McDonald joins a list of past grand marshals that have made major marks on the culture over generations, whether it was from entertainment to sports to politics to science and the environment.
That roster includes Shirley Temple, Walt Disney, Hank Aaron, Jackie Robinson, Jane Goodall and Vin Scully.
Once a commitment is secured, there are no backup grand marshals. The announcement of the grand marshal can happen anytime after the announcement of the Rose Parade theme, which typically occurs on the third Sunday of January.