Jennifer Lopez solidified her superstar status with a touching and rocking headlining performance from Times Square in New York City on Thursday during the annual Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve on ABC.
The 51-year-old singer performed just before the midnight crystal ball drop after a video showed her in a beautiful blue Balmain gown making her way to Midtown via subway.
J-Lo towered on a stage in an all-white, multi-tiered dress by Valentino Haute Couture with a crystal ball-style full headpiece for her performance.
Headlining performance: Jennifer Lopez solidified her superstar status with a touching and rocking headlining performance from Times Square in New York City on Thursday during the annual Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve on ABC
She belted out her new song In The Morning released in November and whipped off her jacket revealing a white pantsuit with big shoulders.
‘How y’all feeling?,’ she asked after singing the song that was viewed live in-person only by cast, crew and some frontline workers invited to the New York City celebration held amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
‘Seventeen minutes, 2020 is almost over! We made it! We made it,’ Jennifer said.
She recalled performing earlier this year in front of tens of thousands at the Super Bowl in February and told viewers that this New Year’s Eve celebration was happening ‘a little differently’.
Rocking out: The 51-year-old singer rocked out while performing Dream On by Aerosmith
Good question: ‘How y’all feeling?,’ J-Lo asked after singing the song that was viewed live in-person only by cast, crew and some frontline workers invited to the New York City celebration held amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic
Towering presence: J-Lo towered on a stage in an all-white, multi-tiered dress with a Valentino Haute Couture crystal-ball style full headpiece for her performance
‘And that’s okay. If this year taught us anything, it taught us to be grateful for what we do have and to cherish every moment. We lost too many. Too many to take one moment for granted,’ Jennifer said emotionally.
‘So tonight, we’re gonna live, we gonna love and we’re gonna dance again. And we’re gonna keep on dreaming,’ she added with an upbeat attitude.
Jennifer then noted that her next song she first sang 20 years ago and that it was never needed more than now.
Dance again: ‘So tonight, we’re gonna live, we gonna love and we’re gonna dance again. And we’re gonna keep on dreaming,’ Jennifer said with an upbeat attitude after noting the loss of 2020
She then delivered a tender rendition of Waiting For Tonight that morphed into a wild version of Dream On by Aerosmith.
J-Lo showed her inner rocker as pyrotechnics exploded behind her and she tossed her microphone stand to the ground.
‘Let’s go, come on!,’ she shouted before taking on the song’s tremendous high notes with her biceps bulging.
Inner rocker: J-Lo showed her inner rocker as pyrotechnics exploded behind her and she tossed her microphone stand to the ground
She then performed her 2012 hit Dance Again and reminded everyone of her dancer background with 𝓈ℯ𝓍y squats, a two-knee slide and a big finish with confetti dropping.
‘Happy New Year, everybody!,’ Jennifer exclaimed at the end of her performance.
She later joined her fiance Alex Rodriguez, 45, for the ball drop along with her 12-year-old twins Emme and Max and his girls Natasha, 16, and 12-year-old Ella.
Dance moves: She then performed her 2012 hit Dance Again and reminded everyone of her dancer background with 𝓈ℯ𝓍y squats, a two-knee slide and a big finish with confetti dropping
Big finish: ‘Happy New Year, everybody!,’ Jennifer exclaimed at the end of her performance
Thumb up: Former New York Yankees star Alex Rodriguez gave a thumb up while walking through Times Square
Jennifer and A-Rod earlier arrived holding hands in Midtown as she rehearsed for her headlining performance.
She bundled up in an orange leopard-print coat that she wore over a black hoodie and matching sweatpants and completed her outfit with tan boots with the laces undone while accessorizing with large brown sunglasses.
Jennifer also covered her mouth and nose with a plain pink face mask amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Headlining performer: Jennifer earlier arrived n a fur coat with boyfriend Alex Rodriguez for a rehearsal Thursday ahead of her headlining performance
A-Rod kept warm in a thick brown sweater under a matching vest and white T-shirt along with black trousers.
He also sported brown shades and wore a black face mask.
Jennifer earlier was spotted in Times Square looking simply enchanting in the beautiful blue Balmain gown that was featured in her introductory video.
Getting ready: The singer was spotted rehearsing in Midtown for her pre-midnight performance to ring in 2021
Bundled up: J-Lo bundled up in an orange leopard-print coat that she wore over a black hoodie and matching sweatpants while walking hand-in-hand with Alex, 45, in Midtown
Mask on: The singer also covered her mouth and nose with a plain pink face mask amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic
Hair up: J-Lo had her hair up while rehearsing for her performance before the traditional crystal ball drop in Times Square
Gorgeous gown: Jennifer earlier was spotted in Times Square looking simply enchanting in a beautiful blue Balmain gown as she filmed ahead of her performance on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic there was no public attendance at both the Times Square and New Orleans celebrations broadcast on ABC.
Longtime host Ryan Seacrest, 46, opened the multi-hours show by describing the past year in a word as ‘different’.
He held a face mask while explaining that official health protocols were being followed throughout the broadcast.
No crowds: The celebration in New York City was being held without public attendance due to the coronavirus pandemic
One word: Longtime host Ryan Seacrest, 46, bundled up in a grey coat, black trousers and Taft boots as he opened the show with co-host Lucy Hale by describing the past year in a word as ‘different’
Ryan bundled up in a grey coat, black trousers and Taft boots and was joined by returning NYC host Lucy Hale, 31, and Billy Porter, 51, who previously hosted the New Orleans segment.
Big Freedia, 42, hosted this year from New Orleans, while Ciara, 35, was hosting from Los Angeles.
Miley Cyrus, 28, kicked off the entertainment in Hollywood with a spirited rendition of her 2009 song Party In The USA.
Hollywood location: Miley Cyrus, 28, kicked off the entertainment in Hollywood with a spirited rendition of her 2009 song Party In The USA
Patriotic outfit: The pop star wore a patriotic leather jacket along with stars-and-stripes trousers and a black bralette while performing
Flag theme: A giant US flag was behind Miley as she performed her party anthem
Masks on: Dancers in Hollywood wore faces masks amid the COVID-19 pandemic
She wore a patriotic leather jacket along with stars-and-stripes trousers and a black bralette while performing.
A small crowd was shown dancing along with face masks on.
Nelly, 46, also performed his hit 2002 song Hot In Herre from Hollywood.
Getting hot: Nelly, 46, also performed his hit 2002 song Hot In Herre from Hollywood
Machine Gun Kelly, 30, also was spotted arriving at Times Square ahead of his performance in an all-pink outfit.
He later took to the stage and put his guitar s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁s on display with thrashing renditions of My Ex’s Best Friend and Bloody Valentine.
Ciara not only hosted in Hollywood but also shared a dance mix of her new song Rooted that was released in August.
Guitar guy: Machine Gun Kelly, 30, was spotted arriving in an all-pink outfit ahead of his performance
Pink power: The singer delivered an energetic performance in a pink outfit
Dance mix: Ciara not only hosted in Hollywood but also shared a dance mix of her new song Rooted that was released in August
En Vogue also hit the stage in Los Angeles and performed their hit song Free Your Mind.
US President-elect Joe Biden, 78, and his wife Dr Jill Biden, 69, also appeared remotely via video in a segment with Ryan.
Ryan asked if Biden had anything to say to essential and frontline workers in attendance at the New York City celebration.
Hit song: En Vogue also hit the stage in Los Angeles and performed their hit song Free Your Mind
‘My mother used to say, bravery resides in every heart and some day it will be summoned. People we’re honoring tonight, it was summoned and they stepped up and they’re brave. They did so much. They risked their lives, they’ve done so much for us and we owe them, we owe them, we owe them,’ Biden replied.
The president-elect and his wife also urged Americans to take the coronavirus vaccines.
‘It took it, it doesn’t hurt. I didn’t have any aftereffects, so, everybody has to take it so that we all can be safe,’ said Jill who Joe said ‘hates needles’.
New president: US President-elect Joe Biden, 78, and his wife Dr Jill Biden, 69, also appeared remotely via video in a segment with Ryan
Biden also shared his thoughts and hopes for 2021.
‘I’m more optimistic about America’s chances than I’ve ever been and I’ve been around this for awhile. We have the most productive workers in the world. We’ve now found vaccines that are available and they’re going to work, you just have to get a better way of getting more out there quicker,’ Biden said.
‘I find we’re in a situation where we once again have to step up and lead the world and lead the nation. And look, there’s never been a single thing America’s been unable to overcome, no matter how drastic it’s been, when we’ve done it together. Never, never, never. America can do anything and I am absolutely positively confident we’re going to come back and come back even stronger than we were before,’ he added.
He and Jill then tried to pop some confetti, but it was a dud.
Feeling optimistic: ‘I’m more optimistic about America’s chances than I’ve ever been and I’ve been around this for awhile. We have the most productive workers in the world. We’ve now found vaccines that are available and they’re going to work, you just have to get a better way of getting more out there quicker,’ Biden said
The broadcast also included Doja Cat from Hollywood performing her songs Like That and Say So looking festive in a short silver wig.
Megan Thee Stallion, 25, also performed her song Savage in Hollywood where the audience grooved along wearing face masks and later performed Body with 𝓈ℯ𝓍y choreography reminiscent of her star-studded music video.
Ciara from Los Angeles also thanked front line workers.
Silver hair: The broadcast also included Doja Cat from Hollywood performing her songs Like That and Say So looking festive in a short silver wig
Rising star: Megan Thee Stallion, 25, also performed her song Savage in Hollywood where the audience grooved along wearing face masks
Dance moves: She later performed Body with 𝓈ℯ𝓍y choreography reminiscent of her star-studded music video
‘Quick shout out to our family at Seattle Children’s Hospital. We love them so much. As well as the doctors and nurses who helped us with our little 𝚋𝚊𝚋𝚢 boy Win right here in California,’ Ciara said referencing her five-month-old son with NFL quarterback Russell Wilson, 31.
‘So, to all the medical workers out there fighting day and night to keep us safe and healthy during this pandemic, from the bottom of our heart, thank you guys so much,’ the singer added.
Nelly later returned in Hollywood and performed his 20-year-old song Country Grammar.
Healthcare workers: ‘Quick shout out to our family at Seattle Children’s Hospital. We love them so much. As well as the doctors and nurses who helped us with our little 𝚋𝚊𝚋𝚢 boy Win right here in California,’ Ciara said referencing her five-month-old son with NFL quarterback Russell Wilson, 31
Taylor Swift, 31, delivered a video message that also singled out front line workers.
‘I wanted to say Happy New Year to everyone who has gone through this year and has made the best of their situation or done what they can to keep other people safe, especially the front line workers. I know a lot of them are actually there tonight and I want to say thank you to all the front line workers in health care and otherwise who have done your best and put your lives on the line for us this year,’ Taylor said before adding, ‘Happy New Year’.
Lewis Capaldi also performed his popular song Someone You Love that has been streamed 1.6 billion times.
Longtime host: Ryan started the hosting the NYE celebration in 2005 and was back for another one
Cyndi Lauper, 67, and host Billy teamed up for a live duet of her 1986 song True Colors.
She then delivered a message urging people to ‘stick together’ before singing her uplifting 2019 single Hope.
Miley changed into a black leather studded outfit for her second performance in Hollywood.
She delivered a smashing mashup of Midnight Sky and Edge Of Seventeen.
Live duet: Cyndi Lauper, 67, and host Billy teamed up for a live duet of her 1986 song True Colors
Stick together: The singer shared a message urging people to ‘stick together’ before singing her uplifting 2019 single Hope
Studded leather: Miley changed into a black leather studded outfit for her second performance in Hollywood
