Memorable Moments and Scandals from New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest
The show must continue … yet not every New Year’s Eve broadcast has unfolded without a hitch for Ryan Seacrest.
“We have three live countdowns this year, which I never thought was even feasible when I initially began,” Seacrest shared exclusively with Us Weekly in December 2022. “We’ll have broadcasts from Puerto Rico, Times Square, and New Orleans, and we’ve even added another celebration on the West Coast. It’ll be L.A., as we always include a Disneyland segment.”
Seacrest has been the host of Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve since 2005, taking over from Clark himself, who passed away in 2012.
“As a kid, I watched this show, observing others do the things I now get to do. I always wanted to participate,” the American Idol host reflected to Us in 2022 about taking the helm. “I feel like I need to demonstrate that I’m worthy of this opportunity each time, and that drive keeps things exhilarating for me.”
While Seacrest has established himself as a leading New Year’s Eve broadcaster, he’s not the only one ringing in the new year live from Times Square in New York City. Fellow TV personalities Andy Cohen and Anderson Cooper host CNN’s programming just a few “blocks away.”
Cohen often playfully competes with Seacrest’s Rockin’ Eve on air — all in good fun. “[We are] just trying to have a great time and share that fun feeling,” Seacrest emphasized to Us. “[Andy is] a really close friend.”
Let’s countdown Seacrest’s most notable — and intense — moments from Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve over the years:
2010
Jenny McCarthy joined Seacrest for Rockin’ Eve in New York, starting a new ritual where she would kiss a random attractive person in the crowd as the clock struck midnight. McCarthy held onto this tradition until she married Donnie Wahlberg in 2014, after which Wahlberg became her designated midnight kiss.
2015
After Taylor Swift performed during the live show, Seacrest gallantly offered her his jacket. Swift, however, was confused by the gesture. “Are you undressing? This is a family show, which is inappropriate,” she humorously remarked at the time.
Seacrest later recounted to Us how lending Swift his coat led to technical difficulties.
“One year, I was with Taylor Swift, and it was cold, so I gave her my coat after her performance. I realized all of my communication gear was attached to it,” he explained in 2022. “So, I couldn’t really talk to anyone in production, which I didn’t anticipate.”
2016
The following year, Seacrest got “stuck in an elevator” while attempting to reach the iconic New Year’s ball.
“That was quite stressful because they instruct you to stay calm, which is nearly impossible,” he reminisced to Us in 2022. “There are also various events that unfold in the final moments. For instance, performers may not be prepared, but we try to improvise commentary during the downtime to give the appearance of being on schedule.”
2016
Mariah Carey concluded Rockin’ Eve with a performance of “Auld Lang Syne” and a medley of her hits. She walked around the stage before stopping, removing her earpiece, and saying, “I’m trying to be a good sport here.” Carey later claimed that technical difficulties hindered her performance.
Seacrest refuted the notion that Carey had been set up to fail.
“In the moment, it was challenging for me to see and hear, given everything going on in Times Square,” he explained on Cohen’s Watch What Happens Live in January 2017. “I had to be informed that something was amiss and then locate a monitor to respond appropriately. So, I wasn’t entirely clear on what transpired.”
At the time, he added: “That crew, that team, that staff is top-notch. They orchestrate the largest live music events and they know their craft well. I have faith in their expertise. I find it hard to believe they would make such significant errors.”
2020
Seacrest welcomed Post Malone as a featured guest, later hinting that the rapper may have been overserved.
“Many stars have likely enjoyed a drink or two during the show. I think Post Malone was definitely having a good time before going on stage,” Seacrest speculated to Entertainment Weekly in December 2022. “But it’s remarkable how artists can keep their rhythm and perform while drinking.”
2020
When Cyndi Lauper performed a medley of her greatest hits, she left fans baffled after her glam team ran on stage to remove her scarf.
“I’m on camera, I’m on camera,” Lauper insisted.
2020
Later in the night, Jennifer Lopez also took the Rockin’ Eve stage. Dressed in a silver jumpsuit, Lopez notably completed a dramatic knee slide at the conclusion of her performance but ended up crashing into the camera.
2021
Cohen and Seacrest’s New Year’s rivalry commenced in December 2021 when a tipsy Cohen made jokes about Seacrest.
“If you look behind me, you’ll see Ryan Seacrest’s team of losers performing. I’m sorry, but if you’re tuning into ABC, you’re seeing nothing,” Cohen joked during the Rockin’ Eve broadcast.
Cohen later apologized for his comments, leading CNN to restrict him and Cooper from consuming alcohol on air.
2022
The following year, Seacrest claimed that Cohen intentionally ignored him during the broadcast.
“It was amusing because my grand stage was right in front of Anderson and Andy,” Seacrest recounted during a January 2023 episode of Live With Kelly and Ryan. “When I wasn’t on-air, I was attempting to catch their attention. … I just wanted to wave and say hello. They have a fantastic show. And Anderson, [is] the best. He turned around and said, ‘Have a great show.’ Very cordial. But Andy didn’t turn around.”
Cohen later claimed he didn’t notice Seacrest, saying he “would have” waved back had he seen Seacrest and Cooper interacting.
2023
North Carolina resident Pamela Bradshaw won $1 million just after the clock struck midnight as part of the Powerball First Millionaire of the Year Drawing — and her reaction became an instant sensation. Bradshaw fell to the ground but quickly got back up, turning to kiss Seacrest on stage while continuing her celebration. Seacrest appeared flustered but handled the situation like a professional.
“I thank God. I’m so blessed,” Bradshaw exclaimed, to which Seacrest responded, “I’m so happy for you.”
