The 2026 Nisei Week queen candidates took center stage today for their first official public appearance at the 84th Nisei Week Festival Opening Ceremony, held at the Japanese American National Museum Democracy Center on July 12, 2026.
The seven candidates will vie for the prestigious title of Nisei Week Queen on Saturday, August 15, at 6:30 p.m. during the Coronation and Awards Celebration. The event will take place at the Los Angeles Theatre Center’s Tom Bradley Theatre (514 S. Spring Street, Los Angeles). Tickets are available for $105 (orchestra) or $75 (balcony) per person. For ticket information, visit NiseiWeek.org.
Upon official coronation, the 2026 queen and court will represent the Nisei Week Foundation at this year’s festival and other community events locally and nationally throughout the year.
Meagan Sueko Pham (San Fernando Valley Japanese American Community Center) is 25 years old and received her bachelor’s degree in public health from California State University, Fullerton.
She currently works as a patient care assistant at City of Hope and plans to become a registered nurse so she can continue providing compassionate care to patients and their families.
Meagan enjoys staying active through basketball, snowboarding, and going on nature walks. She also loves traveling and capturing moments through photography. She’s a big fan of baseball and football and enjoys watching sports games.
Meagan chose the Japanese American National Museum as her platform.