As the final seconds of 2025 tick away in a roaring Times Square, Stephen Colbert—co-hosting CNN’s New Year’s Eve broadcast—quietly unveils a bombshell that’s anything but subtle: he’s personally channeling a staggering $12 million into a massive, unannounced projection takeover of the iconic skyline, resurrecting the long-silenced voice of Virginia Giuffre, the fearless Epstein survivor whose powerful testimony exposed a dark web of elite abuse, only for entertainment’s glittering power brokers to desperately hide it away. Without fanfare, every towering billboard erupts in glowing tributes—her unflinching words, messages of survivor strength, and urgent challenges to the industry’s buried secrets—turning midnight celebration into a profound call for truth. The stunned crowd falls hushed in empathy as Colbert’s bold, understated act demands reckoning from those who’ve guarded the shadows for years. As 2026 dawns amid fireworks and awe, one burning question echoes: will Hollywood finally speak up, or dig deeper into denial?
As the final seconds of 2025 ticked away in a roaring Times Square on December 31, millions of revelers bundled against the freezing cold counted down amid cheers, confetti, and dazzling lights. CNN’s “New Year’s Eve Live with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen” broadcast the iconic celebration live from the Crossroads of the World, with the hosts returning for their ninth year to guide viewers through an evening of music, comedy, and reflection.
Stephen Colbert joined as a special guest, bringing his sharp wit to segments alongside Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen. The star-packed lineup featured live performances by Robyn directly from Times Square, Shakira from Florida’s Hard Rock Live, Brandy and Monica, Bryan Adams from Madison Square Garden, Florence + The Machine, RAYE, and others. Additional guests included mentalist Oz Perlman, Amy Sedaris, Brandi Carlile, Aloe Blacc, Patti LaBelle, Michelle Williams, Rebecca Romijn and Jerry O’Connell, and comedians like B.J. Novak, Leanne Morgan, and Sarah Sherman.
The festivities began earlier with the raising of the largest-ever Waterford Crystal Ball—12.5 feet in diameter—and hourly countdowns building anticipation. At midnight, the ball descended, illuminating the “2026” numerals amid pyrotechnics. A special post-midnight moment honored America’s semiquincentennial, featuring Ray Charles’ “America the Beautiful,” a second wave of red, white, and blue confetti, and the U.S. flag enveloping One Times Square.
The night remained focused on joy and unity, with no unexpected announcements or displays disrupting the traditional celebration. As fireworks exploded and 2026 dawned, the event captured the timeless magic of renewal, shared by billions worldwide.
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