2017 was a memorable year right from the start, thanks to an… unforgettable New Year’s Eve performance from Miss Mariah Carey. After the songstress experienced technical issues of disastrous proportions, we were plenty surprised — and simultaneously anxious — to hear that she was gearing up for round two, with plans to join Camila Cabello, Nick Jonas, and Sugarland onstage once more as the ball dropped for 2018. As it turns out, we weren’t alone: host Ryan Seacrest is also admittedly anxious for Carey’s return.
Opening up to E!, the LIVE With Kelly and Ryan star quipped, “This year, we are really anxious to see Mariah come back.”
He has good reason to be — as he explained, “We’re really not in control. This is so different than doing a show on a stage or in a theatre, or an arena — you’re in Times Square with all the elements, including wind chill of -5… It’s gonna be more challenging this year, cause it IS colder.”
TMZ is reporting that the weather is indeed a threat to Carey, as her performance (which will potentially include two songs, one being “Hero,”) is supposed to conclude with the diva joining Seacrest for the countdown near the ball-drop area, which is a good distance away from her stage. As a solution, the team reportedly plans to roll her there in a chair.
Seacrest, 43, went on to add, “You hear people say, ‘anything can happen,’ and it did, last year… I don’t think you can ever go on the air and say, ‘This is gonna go perfectly, cause there’s a lot of things out of our control, but I’m sure, that those involved in that performance, including the singer, will make preparations.”
View this post on InstagramSee you tomorrow @rockineve!! 🎉🥂 Tune-in 12/31 at 8/7c on ABC! #RockinEve
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Still, the American Idol host remains hopeful. “When we first heard of the notion, I think we thought, ‘Well, that can’t.. no, she won’t… really?’ And then we started thinking, ‘This is the best idea. This is the greatest idea, she’ll be amazing… She’s… legendary. She’s done so many amazing performances, and you’ll see one on New Year’s Eve.”
“The Star” crooner released a joint statement with Dick Clark Productions to announce her return last week, saying, “We can all agree that last year didn’t go as planned and we are thrilled to move forward together to provide America with an incredible night of music and celebration on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest in 2018. See you in Times Square!”
Check in to see Carey redeem herself on December 31 beginning at 8pm/7c on ABC.
Do you think Mariah Carey will slay NYE 2018? Sound off over @BritandCo.
(Photo via Neilson Barnard/Getty)
