NEW YORK, NY (SMI-ENTERTAINMENT, 12.31-01.01.22)-New York City said good-bye to 2021 and welcomed the New Year 2022 in magnificent style, as the Big Apple celebrated its annual iconic and global ball-drop event in Times Square with in-person audience and streamed live around the world with a slate of renowned performers and NYC powerful political figures in attendance who gathered together to receive the new year 2022 in hope of better year ahead, while the world still battling to the defeat the global Covid-19 pandemic that has claimed the lives of over 5 million people around the world.


This annual year-end celebration in Times Square was hosted by Jonathan Bennett (Mean Girls) and celebrity interview host Jeremy Hassell where live-in audience was reinstated but scaled back to 15,000 revelers max  after it was suspended or prohibited last year (2020) to receive the New Year 2021 due to the global Coronas Virus (Covid-19).

Outgoing NYC Mayor Bill De Blasio and wife Chirlane McCray (NYC First Lady), who was leaving after 2-terms in office (8-Years) at 12:00 midnight took the center stage once again as the Mayor stand in front of the Crystal ball and pushed the botton to start the ball's descend countdown and receive the New Year 2022. After the ball-drop, there was a loud celebration with cheers and music in the back ground as the former Mayor danced with his wife one last time the iconic song " New York, New York" sang by renowned late actor and singer Frank Sinatra.

"The Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin Eve with Ryan Seacrest" celebrated its 50th years anniversary in featuring the most famous names in the music industry.
In this year event, renowned rapper "Ja Rule " and R&B star Ashanti reunited and brought the house down in Times Square as both sang their duet songs from the 2000's “Mesmerize” and “Always On Time.” driving the audience in attendance wild.

In addition, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band " Journey" performed two of their biggest hits and Us actress and singer-song-writer Christy Altomare sang couple songs as well to closed- out the year 2021.

After the ball -drop and with the New Year 2022 in progress, NYC Mayor elect Eric Adams was sworn-in as the 110th Mayor of New York City becoming the second African-American in the history of New York City politics since 1990 when the late David Dinkins was elected as the 106th NYC Mayor.


Article Written & Photo By Marcello Cutti Jr.