LL Cool J was scheduled for the annual “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2022,″ but a positive COVID-19 test has put a curb to it.
According to Variety, the rap icon will unfortunately miss the 50th anniversary special on ABC. The program will continue to air as planned as the hosts Seacrest and Liza Koshy will still rock in the new year for the television audience.
“I know it’s disappointing to the millions of fans but my test came back positive for COVID, which means I’ll no longer be able to perform as scheduled at ‘New Year’s Rockin’ Eve,’” LL Cool J said in a statement. “We were ready and I was really looking forward to ringing in 2022 in my hometown in a special way, but for now I wish everyone a healthy and happy New Year. The best is yet to come!“
Chlöe is another artist that will be removed from the show and was scheduled to sing her track “Have Mercy.” There will be segments coming from Los Angeles that will be hosted by Ciara, with Club Quarantine’s D-Nice as DJ.
This upcoming edition will mark Seacrest’s 17th outing as host and executive producer on the year-end television event, which will also celebrate its 50th anniversary this year. The live broadcast will begin on Dec. 31 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC. Will you be tuning in?
“It’s been a privilege to spend the last 17 years ringing in the new year on Times Square with friends in person and at home,” Seacrest said in a statement. “I’m looking forward to continuing the traditions and making new memories as we go into this next chapter. I’m grateful I get to do what I love every year and collaborate with the best-in-class teams at MRC and ABC on this annual event.”
