Rita Ora and Ryan Seacrest Joke They'll Both Kiss Taika Waititi at Midnight for New Year's 2025 (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Ryan Seacrest and Rita Ora in December 2024; Taika Waititi in November 2024.Photo:Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images; VALERIE MACON/AFP/Getty

Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images; VALERIE MACON/AFP/Getty

Rita OraandRyan Seacrestare ready for the new year.

“I am grateful to be here,” Ora tells PEOPLE after joining Seacrest for her inaugural hosting gig on the program last year. “I love Ryan — having him just be with me and give me that sense of confidence is amazing.”

Ryan Seacrest and Rita Ora at the Times Square Ball on Dec. 30, 2024 in New York City.Kristina Bumphrey/Penske Media/Getty

Kristina Bumphrey/Penske Media/Getty

Held over six hours in the middle of a crowded (and often cold) Big Apple, hostingDick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin' Eveis not for the weak. Luckily, Ora picked up some tips last year: “Just don’t think. I’ve learned that… Once the camera light’s on, you just need to speak.”

This year is Seacrest’s 20th time hosting the show, and he’s learned the ins and outs — like paying attention to his water intake and using the restroom during a “long song” from one of the night’s many performers if necessary. “It’s pretty great, how quick we can be into a place to use the bathroom and then back,” he says.

WhileAndy CohenandAnderson Coopernotably enjoy some alcohol during their New Year’s Eve broadcast on CNN, Ora and Seacrest will stay sober while on-air. “If I had a sip, I could not [do it],” insists theWheel of Fortunehost.

Ora agrees. “I tried once to drink before a performance when I was on tour, and it did not turn out alright for me,” she says. “I have to just work, and then I enjoy after.”

The “Ask & You Shall Receive” musician will be pulling double-duty on the show this time around, as she’s also set to take the stage for a performance.

“I’m so excited that they asked me to perform. It’s a big deal, and there’s so many huge artists,” she says of the lineup, featuringCarrie Underwood,Jonas Brothers,TLC,Sophie Ellis-BextorandMegan Moroneyin N.Y.C. — plus more around the world.

Taika Waititi and Rita Ora in September 2024.Araya Doheny/WireImage

Araya Doheny/WireImage

Taika Waititi, Ora’s husband, will also be around to support his wife during her big night and “hopefully” appear on camera for a kiss at the stroke of midnight — and they may not be alone. “We’re both kissing him,” jokes Seacrest.

“Oh, should we both make out with him?” asks Ora.

“No — not make out!” responds Seacrest with a laugh. “You can do that.”

“Oh, OK. Boring,” quips Ora.

Ryan Seacrest and Rita Ora in December 2023.John Nacion/Penske Media via Getty

John Nacion/Penske Media via Getty

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

Ryan Seacrest in December 2024.Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

“Although when you look back at some of the tapes and realize we were making fun of the big blue headphones that we used to have to have,” he reflects. “The technology has evolved faster than I have.”

Ora interjects: “But you haven’t evolved. It’s like you’re stuck in time. You look great.”

“Well, thank you,” replies Seacrest, playfully adding: “I will say, climbing to the ball, it gets more challenging and challenging, Rita.”

Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin' Eve 2025airs at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

source: people.com