



Carrie Underwood will help ring in 2025 as the headliner of the 54th edition of ABC’s holiday staple “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest.”
The Grammy-winning country star will take the stage Dec. 31 in New York’s Times Square before the ball drops at midnight to perform a medley of some of her biggest hits. She’ll lead a lineup including Lenny Kravitz, Tinashe, Teddy Swims, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Cody Johnson, Thomas Rhett and Megan Moroney.
Rita Ora returns to co-host alongside Seacrest, who’s marking his 20th year leading the holiday event.
Underwood’s appearance will be her third time performing at the annual celebration.
“I have such fun memories of performing on ‘New Year’s Rockin’ Eve’ in Times Square in both 2007 and 2015,” Underwood said in a statement Thursday. “I’m so excited to perform just before the ball drops again this year.”
“Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest” airs live Dec. 31 on ABC.
Beyoncé named greatest pop star of 21st century: Beyoncé has officially been named the greatest pop star of the 21st century by Billboard. The music industry magazine made the announcement Tuesday as part of its ongoing series highlighting the artists “who have most defined pop stardom for the last 25 years.”
“The reasons why Beyoncé captured the top spot on our list were beyond numerous,” Billboard said, “but perhaps the most important of all was her singular ability to create moments: indelible pieces of pop culture history that she has generated over the course of her quarter century of superstardom, which are first and foremost all quintessentially Beyoncé.”
She became the most Grammy-nominated artist of all time after receiving 11 nods for her groundbreaking 2023 opus “Cowboy Carter.” She now boasts 99 nominations throughout her career.
Beyoncé has a storied history on the Billboard charts, amassing nine No. 1 hits and 24 top 10 songs on the Hot 100.
Parton launches search for actor: Dolly Parton has announced a nationwide search for the actor who will play the country queen in the upcoming Broadway musical based on her life.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, 78, put out the casting call for “Dolly: An Original Musical” on Thursday across social media.
“As you may have heard, my life story is coming to Broadway in a brand new show. ... And now, I’m announcing the search for Dolly,” the “Jolene” singer said in a video.
The casting is open to newcomers and stage veterans, as Parton hopes to find whoever “can capture the spirit” of her journey. “I want to give you the chance to help me bring my story to Broadway, and maybe even play me. This might be your big moment to take center stage and step into the spotlight.”
Dec. 7 birthdays: Actor Ellen Burstyn is 92. Singer Tom Waits is 75. Actor Priscilla Barnes is 67. Bassist Tim Butler is 66. Actor Jeffrey Wright is 59. Actor C. Thomas Howell is 58. Singer Nicole Appleton is 49. Singer Sunny Sweeney is 48. Actor Shiri Appleby is 46. Singer Sara Bareilles is 45. Actor Jack Huston is 42.