It was a night of celebration, tradition, and Shaq-sized fun in New Orleans. Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal took center stage as the celebrity monarch for the Krewe of Bacchus parade at Mardi Gras 2025, embracing his Louisiana roots with pride. With friends and family from Baton Rouge, Lafayette, and New Orleans in attendance, the former NBA star was ready to rule.

But while the honor was massive, so was his anticipation. “It’s an honor. I’m learning much about the tradition. I’m just glad that they picked me, so looking forward to just going and having fun with the people of Louisiana,” Shaq said before the ceremony.

However, despite his eagerness to celebrate with the crowd, one thing was off the table—getting up close and personal with the fans. WWLTV, which covered the grand event, revealed the unexpected restriction.

“He [Shaquille O’Neal] was so excited to do this. He or his people asked if at any point in the route, they could stop so he could get out. And actually interact with people on the route. They said, no, we kind of need to keep this moving,” a reporter explained.

For a man who loves to entertain, the rule surely put a damper on his plans. Still from his throne, Shaq stayed connected with the people. “I want to say I love you, New Orleans. I love you, Louisiana. Thank you for coming out. Continue to have fun and get home safe tonight. Hail Bacchus!” he declared, embracing his royal role despite the setback.

And while he couldn’t step off the float, he made sure no one left empty-handed. Thousands lined the Uptown parade route, catching a glimpse of the King of Bacchus as he showered them with gifts. With more than 250 different throws—including exclusive Shaq basketballs—the spectacle was nothing short of grand. In total, the throws were estimated to be worth around $3 million, ensuring Shaq’s reign was one for the books.

Krewe of Bacchus rebuilt Shaq’s Throne for this parade

For over 50 years, the Krewe of Bacchus has crowned a celebrity monarch to rule over its legendary Mardi Gras parade. From Hollywood stars to sports legends, every king has taken their place on the same regal throne, tossing gifts to the roaring crowd. But this year, things were a little different. While the tradition remained, there was one major change—Shaquille O’Neal wasn’t sitting on the same throne as his predecessors.

At 7-foot-1 and weighing around 325 pounds, Shaq wasn’t exactly going to fit into a seat designed for, well, normal-sized humans. The Krewe of Bacchus had to rethink its setup, lowering the height of the throne by nearly four feet to create a custom-built seat just for the big man.

But why Shaq? According to Bacchus captain Clark Brennan, there was no better pick for the 2025 monarch. “I truly felt Shaq would be a perfect king because of his Louisiana ties with LSU. He’s a great ambassador and role model for our young kids today to do the right thing.” His connection to the state, combined with his larger-than-life personality, made him the ideal fit for the role.

Since its founding in 1968, Bacchus has seen a long list of celebrity kings, from William Shatner and Nicolas Cage to Michael Keaton and Hulk Hogan. Now, it was Shaq’s turn to bring his unmistakable charisma to the throne—one that had to be rebuilt just for him.