(Getty Images)
New Year’s Eve gave way to 2017 at midnight, and Gossip Cop has video of the Times Square ball drop. Watch below!
This year’s ball weighed nearly 12,000 pounds and had a diameter of 12 feet. It was covered by more than 2,500 Waterford crystals that were shaped according to four designs: “Gift Of Kindness,” “Gift Of Wonder,” “Gift of Fortitude,” and “Gift Of Kindness.” And, with the help of LED lights, the ball was capable of showing more than 16 million colors and patterns.
Revelers worldwide could tune in long before the ball dropped to see all the festivities taking place in New York City. This year’s webcast had four themes: “One World Revealed,” “The Story Behind The Show,” “Times Square,” and “Celebration, Reflection and Renewal.” Jonathan Bennett (of Mean Girls, “Cake Wars” and “Dancing with the Stars), hosted and was joined by some familiar faces.
Gavin DeGraw and Rachel Platten served as headliners, performing live for the millions in Times Square and those watching from home. Silento performed, too, along with the inaugural “New Year, New Voices” honoree Jojo Abot. Platten had the honor of continuing a New Year’s tradition: Singing John Lennon’s “Imagine” just before midnight.
Now in its eighth year, the event was sponsored by the Times Square Alliance and Countdown Entertainment. The six-hour, commercial-free broadcast started at 6 p.m. Eastern with the ball raising. Watch Times Square ball drop below!