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A Night of Pageantry: The Setup and the Stage
The 2025‑26 edition of Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve was one of the most ambitious ever produced, featuring more than 39 performing acts across several U.S. cities, from New York and Las Vegas to Chicago and Puerto Rico.
For the Times Square crowd — estimated to be in the hundreds of thousands in person and **millions more watching on television — Diana Ross was positioned as the headlining act.
Her set began at approximately 11:37 p.m. ET, strategically placed just minutes before the iconic ball drop that marks the transition to the new year.
The event itself was a spectacle. Times Square’s famous Constellation Ball, a 12.5‑foot sphere adorned with 5,280 Waterford crystals, slowly descended over the crowd, signaling the final seconds of 2025.
The broadcast delivered record viewership for the annual special, reaching 34 million total viewers and peaking with roughly 30 million at midnight, according to early Nielsen estimates — a four‑year high for the telecast.
A Medley of Classics: Ross Takes the Stage
Ross’s performance was a carefully curated celebration of her extraordinary career, built around a medley of some of her biggest hits.
Accompanied by a live band and energetically engaging with the crowd and cameras alike, she delivered renditions of beloved songs that have become part of the soundtrack of multiple generations.
Among the songs performed were classics such as:
“Upside Down” — Ross’s 1980 disco‑pop smash that topped charts worldwide.
Selections that reflected both her solo catalog and her time with The Supremes, the Motown trio that helped define 1960s rhythm and soul.
Footage from the live broadcast and social media clips show Ross commanding the stage with poise, musicality, and the trademark glamour that has defined her career for decades.
The Times Square crowd erupted with cheers, singing along and waving lights as the New Year countdown drew near — a testament to both the emotional impact and cross‑generational reach of her music.
An Ageless Presence: Social Media and Fan Reactions
What drove nearly as much attention as the performance itself was the reaction to Ross’s age‑defying energy.
At 81 years old, Ross stood confidently under the bright lights of One of the world’s busiest intersections, delivering a powerful performance generally associated with artists decades younger.
“Has an 81‑year‑old ever looked or sounded better?” one viewer asked on X (formerly Twitter), echoing a widespread sentiment.
Another fan wrote, “She gave more stage presence than half the new artists today,” celebrating her enduring talent.
On TikTok, reactions ranged from disbelief to admiration, with comments like “I cannot believe that is an 81‑year‑old woman — she looks incredible.”
These responses underscored a shared appreciation not only for Ross’s performance but for her continued public presence as a dynamic, inspiring cultural figure.
Reflections From Earlier in the Year: Health, Happiness, and Longevity
Ross’s appearance in Times Square — while stunning — didn’t come out of nowhere. Earlier in 2025, she offered fans insight into how she maintains her vitality and enthusiasm, even as her career spans more than six decades.
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