Rita Ora and Ryan Seacrest are closing off 2023 at one of the most highly-anticipated events of the season — Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve. The duo are co-hosting the event from New York City’s Times Square in addition to broadcasts from Hollywood, California, with Jeannie Mai and Puerto Rico with presenter Dayanara Torres.
We caught up with Ora and Seacrest at the New Year’s Rockin’ Eve Big Ball Brunch at EDITION: Times Square where the hosts were in high spirits ahead of a hectic weekend. Seacrest, a long time host of the five-hour show is looking forward to the chaos.
“It is a marathon,” he tells us. “It’s got 10,000 moving parts that are all over the world, not just here in Times Square. You’re never quite sure exactly what’s happening. And I’m never quite sure exactly how it’s coming off.”
This will be Ora’s first time hosting the show but with many other live TV gigs under her belt, she’s aware of the challenges. “Doing this show is such an honor and it’s a huge compliment. But it’s also a big milestone for me. In my career, at this point, to be able to say that I’ve hosted this incredible show, Rockin’ Eve, with Ryan. It’s a big, big dream of mine.”
The multi-hyphenate, who just jetted in from New Zealand where she spent the holidays with husband Taika Waititi, has had a big year. “I think my life has really shifted in a great way,” she says. “I feel very much more in control of what I feel like I want to do and the opportunities that are coming.”
With an album coming soon and a role in upcoming Disney movie, Ora doesn’t appear to be slowing down any time soon. But with so much in the works is there anything Ora and Seacrest don’t want to take into 2024?
“I’d like to leave my phone behind. I feel like I need to do less on my phone in 2024,” Ora says. “l’ll try to be less on my phone in 2024 and be more present.” Seacrest, however, has a different problem.
“I’ll tell you what I have been leaving behind is my charger,” Seacrest jokes. “I think I’d like to leave my phone and bring my charger.”
With a jam-packed show lined up viewers will be treated to performances from Megan Thee Stallion, Jelly Roll, Sabrina Carpenter, Tyla and LL Cool J in New York, Cardi B‘s performance will be broadcast from Miami, Post Malone will take the stage in Las Vegas, NewJeans are coming to us live from South Korea and Ivy Queen in Puerto Rico.
Meanwhile, broadcasts from Los Angeles will feature performances from Aqua, Doechii, Ellie Goulding, Green Day, Janelle Monáe, Loud Luxury x Two Friends with Bebe Rexha, Ludacris, Nile Rodgers & CHIC, Paul Russell, Reneé Rapp with Coco Jones, and Thirty Seconds to Mars. Comedians Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, Matt Friend and Ms. Pat will also share their talents.
With so much to look forward to, Seacrest is excited for one special moment that he cherishes every year.
“One of the great moments every year, for me, is when we’re under the ball at two minutes before midnight. All of the artists that performed that night are there with their families , their loved ones, their kids, and they get to experience a countdown,” he says with nostalgia. “No matter what you’ve done in your life, that is pretty special. Especially if you can be up there with somebody that you love.”
Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve will air Sunday, Dec. 31 starting at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and runs through to the midnight countdown and the ball drop in Times Square.
