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.
Emily Kaori Gruhn (Pasadena Japanese Cultural Institute) is 25 years old and received her bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in education from the University of California, Irvine.
She currently works in real estate development as a project manager on a team focused on building affordable housing in Los Angeles. She hopes to one day lead her own affordable housing project before returning to school to pursue an MBA.
Outside of her professional goals, Emily enjoys traveling, finding great deals, taking public transportation, optimizing her sleep, and spending quality time with friends and loved ones.
She has chosen the Little Tokyo Service Center as her platform.