When the clock strikes midnight, people all around the world will be ringing in the new year with a celebratory kiss, and “American Idol” host Ryan Seacrest will likely be no exception.
Seacrest has helmed the annual, “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” in New York City’s Times Square since 2005, succeeding Clark himself, who passed away in 2012. Though it’s not always captured on camera, the host usually shares a midnight kiss with the person he’s dating at the time.
“Shayna will be with me, so she will [be my kiss],” Seacrest told Us Weekly back in 2019 when he was still with Shayna Taylor. He jokingly added, “Or Post Malone. I don’t know. It could go either way … It depends who’s closest, I guess.”
In a 2021 interview with USA Today, Seacrest played coy about his plans with his then-girlfriend Aubrey Paige. “I guess we’ll have to stay tuned to see who I kiss on New Year’s Eve,” Seacrest teased.
But over the years, Seacrest has also had a few memorable (and unconventional) New Year’s kisses on television, including a couple of live, on air moments.
Miley Cyrus (December 31, 2013)
GettySeacrest shared a kiss with Miley Cyrus after she performed at the New Year’s Eve event ringing in 2014, according to E! News.
At first, Cyrus feared her kiss with the host had evaded the cameras. “They missed our New Years kiss,” she tweeted on January 1, 2014.
Seacrest retweeted her, adding, “oops :/”
But fortunately, their moment was, in fact, documented. Cyrus tweeted a photo of it later that same day, writing, “Yay!!!! They caught our NY midnight kiss! Happy New Years @RyanSeacrest & thank you for having me.”
Taylor Swift (December 2014)
In a promo for ETonline that debuted during “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” headlining performer Taylor Swift and the host addressed whether or not they would be sharing a kiss at midnight. During the promo, Seacrest began, “everyone’s been asking if we’re going to kiss at midnight.”
“Here you are America, we’re going to give you exactly what you want,” concluded Swift.
Swift and Seacrest then puckered up and moved in for the kiss, but instead of actually locking lips, the pair playfully took “kissy face” selfies and put their phones together to create the “2014 version” of the midnight kiss.
Pamela Bradshaw (December 31, 2022)
North Carolina resident Pamela Bradshaw won $1 million shortly after the clock struck midnight as part of the Powerball First Millionaire of the Year Drawing.
“Congratulations, you’re a millionaire!” Seacrest revealed, causing Bradshaw to fall to the ground. After she picked herself back up, she kissed Seacrest on stage, according to Us Weekly.
The host was taken aback, but Bradshaw was unfazed. She continued to jump up and down and hugged her daughter, Joanna Hinson, who was also on stage.
“Pamela … North Carolina … first time here in New York City, and you’re walking away in the new year a millionaire,” a flustered Seacrest said as confetti fell from the sky. “Powerball first millionaire of the year. Can you speak any sentences of excitement?”
“I thank God. I’m so blessed,” answered Bradshaw.
Seacrest smiled and said, “I’m so happy for you.”
