NEED TO KNOW
Rita Ora and Ryan Seacrest are aware of the interesting choices people make to survive standing in Times Square for hours on New Year’s Eve.
The two stars will co-host Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve from N.Y.C. for the third consecutive year on Wednesday, Dec. 31, and the weather is predicted to be quite frigid for members of the packed Big Apple crowd during the 8-hour live broadcast.
“They do things you don’t want to see them do because they’re there for that long,” Seacrest, 51, tells PEOPLE of in-person NYRE viewers. “I’m happy I’ve not seen them do those things.”
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Ora, 35, specifies, “I hear the diaper stories.”
“That’s what I’m talking about,” adds Seacrest, referencing the fact that people have admittedly sported some extra absorbent underwear in order to stand for hours.
“I’ve not seen it,” says the American Idol host. “I just know it’s happening.”
This year’s broadcast — the longest in NYRE history — will feature live performances from Diana Ross, Ciara, Little Big Town, Maren Morris and Le Sserafim in N.Y.C., as well as many other artists in other cities around the world.
There’s one person from the N.Y.C. lineup whom Ora would love to get in the studio with for a collaboration. “Diana Ross,” she exclaims. “I mean, come on!”
Over the past three years of co-hosting New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, Ora and Seacrest have developed a fun camaraderie as colleagues. “We have the same sense of humor,” says the “Heat” singer. “I’m so happy to be working on this.”
“We really have a good time together,” agrees Seacrest.
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Last year, the co-hosts joked to PEOPLE that they’d both kiss Ora’s husband, director Taika Waititi, when the clock struck midnight. “One of us did,” reflects Seacrest.
“And that was Ryan,” jokes Ora, who’s open to a friendly kiss “on the cheek” with a member of either Little Big Town or Le Sserafim this time around. “You have two bands. Who’s gonna be the lucky person?”
One week after New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, Ora will appear as a returning judge on season 14 of The Masked Singer. Luckily, Seacrest — who’s hosted NYRE for over 20 years and emcees Idol as well as Wheel of Fortune and his own radio show — isn’t threatened by her snatching up gigs as an onscreen personality.
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“I just have TV in my lane. She does everything else,” the Emmy winner says of the pop star, actress and businesswoman.
“I love working,” admits Ora. “Get ready, America, because I’m your favorite Brit!”
Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2026 will air live on Wednesday, Dec. 31 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and stream the next day on Hulu.
