On Monday morning (Dec. 28), ABC announced Big Freedia as host of the Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve celebration in the Central Time Zone.
Live from her native New Orleans, the rapper will bring viewers at home along on a cultural exploration of the Big Easy, from its music and arts scene to the colorful locals that make up the city’s heart. PJ Morton will deliver a special performance of timeless New Year’s anthem “Auld Lang Syne” during the CST broadcast.
“We are beyond excited that Big Freedia and PJ Morton, two of New Orleans’ brightest musical lights, will be shining for our city and before the entire world as we ring in the new year. Even though we won’t be watching this performance in person, we will be watching from the safety of our homes as ‘Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2021′ rings in the new year with that special New Orleans flavor,” said the city’s mayor, LaToya Cantrell, in a statement.
“We’re also excited that this event will employ nearly 70 local crew members, many of whom have been shut out of production jobs due to the pandemic,” she continued, “and that the world will remember that New Orleans will be the safest place to visit and enjoy our music and culture in 2021.”
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Big Freedia joins fellow hosts Ryan Seacrest, Lucy Hale and Billy Porter, who will be ringing in the TV special from Times Square in New York City, as well as Ciara, who will host the festivities in L.A. Jessie James Decker will also serve as Powerball correspondent for the special for her second year in a row.
Previously-announced artists set to perform from Times Square include Jennifer Lopez, Machine Gun Kelly, Porter, Cyndi Lauper and Jimmie Allen. Brandy, Doja Cat, Ella Mai, Lewis Capaldi, Maluma, Megan Thee Stallion, Miley Cyrus, Nelly and Saweetie will also take the stage during the evening from the West Coast broadcast.
Earlier this month, Big Freedia unveiled her second EP of 2020, the holiday-themed Big Freedia’s Smokin Santa Christmas, which arrived nine months after the release of Louder in March.
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Check out the official announcement of Big Freedia as the Central Time host of Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve 2021 below.
.@bigfreedia is hosting the Central Time Zone countdown from New Orleans on #RockinEve! Count down with us this Thursday at 8/7c on ABC. pic.twitter.com/6w8L2eR0KK
— New Year’s Rockin’ Eve (@RockinEve) December 28, 2020