Carrie Underwood to Headline New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2025
ABC and Dick Clark Productions have revealed the New York lineup for Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2025. Ryan Seacrest, returning for his 20th year as host, will lead the broadcast from Times Square alongside co-host Rita Ora. The Times Square celebration will feature an all-star lineup that includes Carrie Underwood, Megan Moroney and Sophie Ellis-Bextor, while Dayanara Torres will return as a co-host for the Puerto Rico portion of the show. The special will air Tuesday, Dec. 31, live on ABC beginning at 8 p.m. EST and will be available to stream on Hulu the following day.
Carrie Underwood expressed her excitement about the upcoming performance, recalling fond memories of past appearances in Times Square. She said she treasures her experiences performing on New Year’s Rockin’ Eve in 2007 and 2015 and is thrilled to be performing again just before the ball drops. Underwood also noted the personal milestone of celebrating 20 years since her American Idol win by joining Seacrest for his 20th Times Square broadcast.
In addition to her New Year’s Eve appearance, Carrie Underwood has recently joined American Idol as a judge, stepping in following Katy Perry’s departure. She joins veteran panelists Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie, with Ryan Seacrest continuing his long-running role as host of the series.
Performers Highlights:
- Marking two decades since her life-changing American Idol victory in 2005, judge and country superstar Carrie Underwood will perform a medley of her biggest hits on the Times Square stage just before midnight. Her set is positioned as a centerpiece of the live countdown, celebrating both her career and the arrival of the new year.
- Megan Moroney will bring one of the year’s most talked-about country voices to Times Square. She will perform a two-song medley from her second album, Am I Okay?, which debuted at No. 3 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart and became her first Top 10 entry on the Billboard 200. Moroney, who earned recognition as the CMA New Artist of the Year, spent much of 2024 on tour with Kenny Chesney, performing in sold-out stadiums across the United States.
- British singer-songwriter Sophie Ellis-Bextor will make her New Year’s Rockin’ Eve debut with a performance of her enduring hit “Murder on the Dancefloor.” The song has found renewed popularity this year after appearing in the film Saltburn, becoming one of the season’s viral tracks and climbing the global charts. The Times Square appearance will mark a notable moment as the track continues to reach new audiences decades after its original release.
Previously Announced:
- In his milestone 20th year as host of America’s most-watched New Year’s Eve special, Ryan Seacrest will lead the live countdown to midnight with Rita Ora by his side in Times Square.
- The broader roster of performers announced for the celebration includes rock legend Lenny Kravitz, who has sold over 40 million albums and recently released his 12th studio album; genre-bending singer-songwriter Teddy Swims; multiplatinum R&B artist Tinashe; chart-topping country star Cody Johnson; and five-time GRAMMY-nominated hitmaker Thomas Rhett. Together, these artists represent a wide range of styles and genres, promising a diverse musical showcase for viewers ringing in the new year.
This year’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve aims to combine familiar favorites and fresh voices for a dynamic live event. With Carrie Underwood’s milestone performance, Megan Moroney’s breakthrough year in country music, and Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s viral resurgence, the Times Square stage will deliver a blend of nostalgia and contemporary momentum. Fans can expect high-energy performances, surprise moments, and the traditional countdown that has made the special a holiday television staple.
Tune in on Dec. 31 to watch the celebration live from Times Square on ABC, beginning at 8 p.m. EST, and catch the full program on Hulu the next day for streaming audiences who don’t want to miss the performances and the midnight countdown into 2025.