New year, new president.
President-elect Joe Biden and new first lady Jill Biden will play the New Year on Thursday as part of “Dick Clark’s New Year,” ABC announced on Wednesday. Presented by Ryan Seacrest and headed by Jennifer Lopez, the star-studded broadcast will also include sets by Megan Thee Stallion, Miley Cyrus, Brandy and Billy Porter.
“In a year marked by many challenges, we are honored that President-elect Joe Biden and Dr. Biden will join America’s most watched tradition – ‘Dick Clark’s New Year’s Eve’ – to share an inspiring message as we gather to close 2020 and look forward with hope for 2021, ”said Amy Thurlow, president of Dick Clark Productions, and Craig Erwich, president of ABC Entertainment, in a joint statement.
During the program, the former vice president and longtime educator will sit down with Seacrest for his final 2020 interview before making the transition to the White House next month. Actors Porter and Lucy Hale will also host the event live in New York’s Times Square, while musicians Ciara and Big Freedia will report from Los Angeles and New Orleans, respectively.
In addition to the interview with Bidens, the celebration of the 49th “New Year’s Eve Rock” will feature performances by Cyndi Lauper, Jimmie Allen and Machine Gun Kelly. LA-based artists include Brandy, Doja Cat, Ella Mai, En Vogue, Julia Michaels and JP Saxe, Lewis Capaldi, Maluma, Megan Thee Stallion, Miley Cyrus, Nelly, Saweetie and PJ Morton.
Note that this year’s throw-in extravaganza will be a TV-only event to avoid attracting large crowds amid the COVID-19 pandemic. “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin ‘Eve” begins Thursday at 5 pm in the Pacific on ABC.