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CNN Live Event/Special
CNN New Year's Eve Live. Aired 7:30-8a ET
Aired December 31, 2025 - 07:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[07:32:30]
KRISTIE LU STOUT, CNN ANCHOR AND CORRESPONDENT: Welcome back. You're watching CNN New Year's Eve Live, and we are taking you all around the world to some of the most spectacular New Year's celebrations starting here --
WILL RIPLEY, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: In Bangkok --
STOUT: -- in Bangkok.
RIPLEY: -- where we are stone-cold sober for the next 4 1/2 hours. It's 7:30 -- just after 7:30 p.m. here. We're going to be here through midnight.
STOUT: No fireballs, no B-52s, no tequila shots, just --
RIPLEY: Red Bull.
STOUT: -- getting high on Red Bull. Cheers, my friend.
RIPLEY: Cheers.
STOUT: Oh.
RIPLEY: Whew, ah.
STOUT: One night in Bangkok and the world is your oyster -- whew!
RIPLEY: Yeah. So fireworks in Sydney coming up in about 28, 27 minutes.
And Angus, who looks absolutely spectacular in his white tuxedo, has been there every year. He has a front row seat as Sydney celebrates. I mean, it's like the night always starts with the Sydney fireworks, Angus, and it's always spectacular. And then it's like how do the other places live up to that?
ANGUS WATSON, CNN SENIOR PRODUCER: That's right, Will. I think Sydney really prides itself on being something of a New Year's Eve capital of the entire world. It starts off and it goes out to beat the other cities around the world. It really throws everything into it every single year. But I have to mention, of course, our brothers and sisters over across the Tasman Sea in New Zealand ringing in the new year there not so long ago. It's already 2026 in New Zealand.
STOUT: And Angus, can we just take a moment to appreciate the art form that is your wardrobe tonight?
RIPLEY: Seriously, man. I mean, I thought I was doing all right with a tux. You look like James Bond at a cocktail party --
STOUT: You.
RIPLEY: -- sober, of course.
STOUT: You look like Mr. Roarke from "FANTASY ISLAND," but in his prime. Angus, you look fine tonight.
WATSON: Well guys, I saw pictures of you on Instagram, and I thought I better level it up. I've got to --I've got to pull out the best --
RIPLEY: Wow.
WATSON: -- suit that I have in my wardrobe. And I'll tell you something -- I'll tell you something cool -- a fun fact. This is the suit I got married in to my wonderful wife Kelly --
RIPLEY: Aww.
WATSON: -- four years ago now. It's our anniversary --
STOUT: My heart.
WATSON: -- in a couple of days.
STOUT: My heart, my heart. And, of course, it is --
WATSON: And we actually met on New Year's Eve.
STOUT: Oh, really?
RIPLEY: Really?
STOUT: Now, that's the sweetest thing.
RIPLEY: You have -- if your wife is with you off camera --
WATSON: Yeah.
RIPLEY: -- you've got to bring her on for the fireworks and introduce us. Happy almost anniversary. The tux is amazing, um, and we can't wait. We're really excited.
WATSON: I'd be happy to.
STOUT: And don't tell me. Are you seeing other Sydneysiders wearing full tuxes tonight? [07:35:00]
WATSON: I'm a little bit overdressed for where I am right now, which is OK -- which is OK. People are having a wonderful time here. I know you guys are sober, I'm sober. That rule doesn't apply to many people here at Luna Park -- this amusement park that I'm at on Sydney Harbour. It's 90 years old.
People are riding the amusement -- the fairground rides. People are playing the sideshow games, dancing to deejays. It is a crazy party here at Luna Park and there's no better place to watch the fireworks, as you can see that gorgeous view of the bridge right behind me, guys.
STOUT: That was, indeed, a gorgeous view and it's great to hear the crowds behind you -- this moment of jubilation. This moment of joy to usher in a new year.
Angus Watson joining us live from Sydney. Thank you so much. We'll join you a little bit later.
RIPLEY: Yes, 25 minutes until the fireworks there in Sydney.
Still ahead on CNN's New Year's Eve special, an entire theme park constructed from snow and ice.
STOUT: You've got to imagine it but we're going to take you there. This place -- this ice palace -- is rebuilt from scratch every year. It is Harbin Ice And Snow Festival in China.
RIPLEY: It's basically the opposite of Burning Man. And the theme for this year is "Fairytale World." We are going to take you there. We have a correspondent, Mike Valerio. He is braving the cold temperatures. I need to know what he's wearing, how many layers, and what he thinks about this visual spectacular in Harbin. Stay with us.
STOUT: Keep it here.
(COMMERCIAL)
[07:40:45]
RIPLEY: Welcome back. We are live in Bangkok, and we are taking you all around the world to some of the most spectacular New Year's Eve celebrations.
STOUT: Including here in --
RIPLEY: Yes.
STOUT: -- the Thai capital. But we're also bringing you some other special features, like one that's happening -- it happens every year in Northern China -- the city of Harbin. It has one of the world's greatest winter spectaculars.
RIPLEY: Whoo.
STOUT: It's called the Harbin Ice-Snow World.
RIPLEY: You can see Mike Valerio there amongst the millions of visitors who are flocking there for the festival. They have to move like that because they're having fun, but also because it is so cold -- subzero temperatures. And that's how they can have these enormous six-story sculptures --
MIKE VALERIO, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Oh, my gosh.
RIPLEY: -- athletic activities, ice lanterns. I don't even know what an ice lantern is.
Mike, how does it feel to be standing in a winter wonderland, and can you still feel your hands and your feet?
VALERIO: Oh, you know what? First of all, whew! Yes! Yes, we can. (Speaking foreign language). We can because I have these battery- powered gloves. We have the Siberian air, Will and Kristie. We're here in Harbin. We're expecting temperatures to be, like, oh gosh, down to negative 25. But look at this beautiful backdrop and the fantastic people we have here.
We are in the largest winter festival in the world. So what you see behind us are landmarks -- iconic landmarks of China that are built with blocks of ice harvested from the nearby river a couple of weeks ago. It's like a meter wide or a yard wide, held together partially of gravity. The yellow crane tower from Wuhan reconstructed beautifully in ice.
So we're expecting the countdown a couple of meters away from where I am. Beautiful castles that are built here. People from around the world who are here. It's really incredible. Very challenging conditions to build all of this.
But speaking of a challenge, we want to get this out of the way. We got a challenge for our friends in New York -- and hold on. All right -- I've got to have those. Gloves are coming off. Gloves are coming off. This is a challenge for our friends in New York, Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen. Come to China, Andy and Anderson. But specifically, come to China for Chinese New Year.
And we say that -- whoo! We say that, Andy and Anderson, calling you out because you've been doing New Year's in New York for, I think, Andy said this morning, nine years. But as far as I know, you, the duo, have never done Chinese New Year.
And, you know, Andy, my neighbor in Beijing, was saying -- she called you out. She said so pernicious, that Andy Cohen, that he's never done a franchise of "REAL HOUSEWIVES" Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Harbin, Chongqing. If you come here, beauty, ambition, drama. It's time for you boys to come over here to China.
The Year of the Horse, too. I tried to draw a little horse. Travel, it's in your future and you've got all this. Whoo! Way to go.
RIPLEY: Put your -- put your gloves back on, Mike. VALERIO: Kristie and Will.
STOUT: Yeah.
RIPLEY: Put that -- put that glove back on.
VALERIO: OK, OK.
RIPLEY: You're going to get frostbite.
VALERIO: OK, Oh my God, it's so much warmer.
RIPLEY: We need you -- we need you to report for the rest of the show.
STOUT: That's the point. That was a heartfelt, sincere appeal from Mike Valerio in Harbin, China. He is risking frostbite.
RIPLEY: He is.
STOUT: He is risking --
RIPLEY: He is.
STOUT: -- his little pinky in order to get Anderson Cooper and Andy to take the show to China.
RIPLEY: Now they need to get inside a tent or something before the camera shuts down.
STOUT: And when they do it, they're not going to be doing shots of tequila. They're going to be doing shots of Malta white liquor, right? They're going to be downing them big time.
RIPLEY: Whatever doesn't melt. I mean, whatever doesn't melt.
Anyway --
STOUT: Oh my gosh. Well, thank you very much, Mike Valerio. We will check in with him a little bit later.
And we also have CNN's Brynn Gingras joining us. She is in New York City in Times Square right now --
RIPLEY: Yes.
STOUT: -- where we're still hours away from the countdown to midnight. And Brynn, how are the preparations underway?
BRYNN GINGRAS, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: I mean, I'm a little sad I didn't get an invite to China. I'm not going to lie to you, guys.
But listen, I know it's freezing in China and I know I saw you two -- both. You look adorable. I feel like I couldn't dress cute because it's freezing in New York City. Twenty-eight degrees is what we're clocking right now for the temperature in Times Square.
[07:45:05]
But you know what? As we have seen rain, shine, freezing cold temperatures in Times Square, it doesn't matter. Everyone comes here and they just party. It doesn't matter what the weather is.
You can see here behind me, of course, that is the main star of this show. That is the ball that has not yet going up quite yet. It usually goes up later this afternoon getting ready for that drop to ring in the new year.
And this whole area of Times Square, of course, will just be packed with revelers. Usually, they get to pack into these pens around 3:00 this time Eastern -- 3:00 p.m. Eastern time, so we're not seeing them quite yet. But certainly they are going to be packed shortly and it's going to be a party like no other.
Of course, Andy and Anderson are going to be here. They are going to kick it off later tonight here and we can't wait to invite them, and we can't wait to invite all of these hundreds of thousands of people that are going to come here and ring in the new year.
And I love -- I can't wait to talk to some of them, guys, because I love asking them how do they -- how do they hold in their bathroom breaks because they can't leave. Once they are inside these pens, they can't leave.
RIPLEY: I was just going to say, Brynn, they -- no people wear adult diapers.
GINGRAS: So it's one of the things -- it's my favorite question and I always get different answers.
RIPLEY: People wear adult diapers. Is that -- can I say that on -- yeah.
STOUT: We don't want to give away any trade secrets.
RIPLEY: No, because you can't go to the bathroom. And if it's -- if it's freezing cold and you've got layers on and they're wearing -- they're wearing Depends undergarments.
STOUT: For the record, we are not wearing adult diapers --
RIPLEY: No.
STOUT: -- as we anchor five hours live here from Bangkok, but we have found a way. The logistical plan is there.
RIPLEY: Yes.
STOUT: And do you know what? It is hot and steamy here and I wish, Brynn, that we could transfer some of the heat from here in Bangkok over to where you are in Times Square.
RIPLEY: We'll cut it -- we'll cut it in half and then we'll be perfect. STOUT: Please stay warm. Take care, my friend, and Happy New Year.
RIPLEY: Now to one of our very special New Year's Eve musical performances from the documentary "DIANE WARREN: RELENTLESS."
STOUT: Yeah. We've got Kesha and Diane Warren performing "Dear Me."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DIANE WARREN, SONGWRITER, AND KESHA, SINGER-SONGWRITER: Performing "Dear Me."
(END VIDEOTAPE)
[07:52:00]
STOUT: It's CNN New Year's Eve Live. A warm welcome back to our viewers all around the world.
RIPLEY: We are waiting for the next four-plus hours and 10 minutes until midnight here, ringing in 2026 with a worldwide party featuring CNN's team literally in all corners of the globe.
We are just a few minutes away from the new year in Sydney, of course. That's where we find the impeccably dressed Angus Watson in the white tuxedo.
STOUT: And my girl Hanako Montgomery is in the heart of Tokyo. And Bijan Hosseini -- we've got him standing by in Hong Kong.
RIPLEY: Also Bijan looking very dapper in his tuxedo. I like the tuxedo trend, gentlemen. But Mike Valerio probably beating us all with that hat in Harbin, China. Subzero temperatures at the world famous Ice-Snow World Festival.
STOUT: He's rocking the red panda. That's what he's doing right now.
RIPLEY: It looks like he's playing tennis, yeah -- playing tennis or something.
STOUT: Whatever it takes to keep warm.
RIPLEY: Exactly.
STOUT: We are just minutes away from the new year in Sydney, Australia. That is where we find Angus Watson. Angus, a key question we have for you: What will you be bringing with you into 2026?
WATSON: Well, as you guys know, it's the middle of summer here in Sydney, Australia. And if Mike wasn't having as much fun as I know he is, I would worry about making him a little bit jealous by saying that.
So the thing that I've brought into -- that I'm going to bring in 2026 with me is my scuba diving goggles and snorkel. It's my favorite hobby. I absolutely love getting under the water and scuba diving. And Kristie, the last time I scuba dived in the Harbour, I saw an octopus. I know how much you love them.
STOUT: Oh! I do. The octopus is my favorite animal. That is absolutely magical. And I hope you see another octopus in 2026.
Angus Watson, thank you so much.
RIPLEY: Let's go now to Hanako in Tokyo. Hanako, what's the vibe there in that beautiful, beautiful city, and what are you bringing into the new year?
HANAKO MONTGOMERY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yeah. So I think this is going to be really relatable for you guys as well, but in 2026, I am manifesting better sleep. And in order to do that I need not one, but four eye masks -- yep. This one is actually my favorite one right now. It's black so it doesn't actually stain even if I don't take off my makeup probably from the night before. It's also big enough so that no sunlight comes in from the top or the bottom.
And also, for part of my sleep kit I have earplugs that I wear every single night. Yeah, this is even if I'm sleeping in my own bed. I need it to be completely silent in bed while I'm sleeping.
So for 2026, more sleep for you and for me.
RIPLEY: Absolutely. You know, I just started using eye masks too, Hanako, so I agree. Like, I can't sleep without it now.
STOUT: I love that. May you manifest sweet dreams in 2026.
Hanako Montgomery in Tokyo. Thank you.
[07:55:00]
And Bijan Hosseini joins us now from Hong Kong. And Bijan, what do you have to share with us? What do you plan to bring into the new year?
BIJAN HOSSEINI, CNN SENIOR PRODUCER: Kristie, Will, Happy New Year's Eve. Excited to ring in midnight with you all.
I am bringing in the Super Mario question box -- the mystery box. Now, on the surface, I'm a big gamer. I'm a geek. So 2026 is about having fun and not taking things too seriously. But it also works as a metaphor. It promotes taking risks, exploring a bit. So 2026 is more about the path and less about the result.
You know, when you hit this box, you don't know what you're going to get out of it, and that's what I want for 2026. To stay curious, to keep exploring, and to try new things.
STOUT: I love that. Open yourself up and your heart up to uncertainty. Bijan, that was fabulous.
Bijan Hosseini joining us live from Hong Kong. Thank you.
RIPLEY: And finally, let's bring in Mike Valerio. Mike, I don't know if you ever went to Burning Man, but this is now basically the opposite of Burning Man.
What are you bringing into 2026 as you stand there freezing?
VALERIO: Um, I feel like -- I feel like I'm burning, Will. You know, this is very hot. I have my heated gloves.
I am bringing my tennis racquet because, you know, there's nothing like focus, determination, working on your endurance, like a good game of tennis. And one day, hopefully next year, I want to be able to beat CNN's Kristie Lu Stout on the court.
Will, I don't know if you've ever seen Kristie on the tennis court in Hong Kong. People are openly weeping at the prospect of facing her. Her serve is absolutely slaying, slicing, incredible. Soon one day I want to be --
RIPLEY: She's --
VALERIO: -- able to beat her. I don't know if it's going to happen. Definitely, like, if you've (INAUDIBLE) --
RIPLEY: She's known as the slayer.
VALERIO: -- in challengers, Zendaya -- yes -- yes, she is, and people around the world should know that.
So this tennis racquet is what I'm bringing into 2026.
STOUT: You're creating a legend that doesn't exist, Mike, but I adore you. Thank you. And may you have a sweeter tennis game in 2026. Mike Valerio, thank you so much live from Harbin.
Now Will, what are you bringing into the new year? I want to know.
RIPLEY: Well, I'm going to tell you what I'm not bringing into the new year, God willing, is these crutches. Because last year doing the show I actually was on crutches. Nobody knew --
STOUT: I --
RIPLEY: -- at the time. I broke my ankle, like, two days before flying to Bangkok. But the crutches got me through the show and actually taught me that I can -- that I can handle things I didn't think I could, like walking around on crutches for months because I broke my ankle a second time and had surgery on it.
STOUT: Here we go. No more crutches. You are just going to be running and leaping --
RIPLEY: Yeah.
STOUT: -- into 2026.
RIPLEY: And then I'm adding as a late edition this herbal thing that they brought us. It's just -- I can't -- I don't think I can live without it now, so I'm also bringing this into the new year. STOUT: All right. This is what I'm bringing into the new year. I'm bringing my Bobo. Now, this is a stand-in for the real Bobo. Bobo is my tiny white poodle. He's in Hong Kong. He wasn't able to fit into my luggage to come with us here to Thailand. But Bobo -- he might be tiny, but he protects me.
RIPLEY: Aww.
STOUT: He protects, he attacks, he's my love, and I'm bringing him into 2026. My Bobo.
RIPLEY: What's the ratio of protecting versus attacking?
STOUT: Do you know how he protects is any intruder -- and I'm not making this up. I have CNN colleagues who have witnessed this. He will hump your leg until you have no dignity left.
RIPLEY: So it's like he kills you with kindness.
STOUT: That's --
RIPLEY: He's assertive.
STOUT: That's my Bobo. That's my Bobo.
OK, we're just minutes --
RIPLEY: All right.
STOUT: -- away from 2026 in Sydney. Let's go back to Angus -- dapper Angus in his white tuxedo in Sydney. Angus, take it away.
WATSON: Well guys, I am here with a wonderful couple from the U.K., Hannah and Danny. We told you that people come from all over the world to see these fireworks. What brings you here, Danny?
DANNY, VISITING SYDNEY FROM THE U.K.: Well, we're here visiting family in Melbourne, and we took in a bit of the cricket. But we have to be here in Sydney for the world famous New Year's Eve celebrations here.
WATSON: And Hannah, is New Year's Eve a special night for you guys?
HANNAH, VISITING SYDNEY FROM THE U.K.: I think -- I think it's always special starting the new year with someone that you love. But we've been together 10 years. But like Daniel said, like, starting the new year in Sydney. I've just seen that the temperature in London, which is where we're from, is four degrees. So sorry, ha ha. But we are here so hopefully, it's going to be unbelievable, yeah.
WATSON: Everyone in Sydney very pleased about the summer weather and very excited guys for this fireworks display which is minutes away.
RIPLEY: Yes, and so we have about 90 seconds to fill, Angus. Tell us more about the technical wizardry that goes behind these fireworks that they pull off in Australia that are going to last for 20 minutes. WATSON: Well guys, the amazing thing about these fireworks is that they don't get a second -- they don't a -- they don't get a trial run. They have to just be ready on the night to do it. They get one shot. There's a 9:00 fireworks. It's there for the kids. But the 12:00 fireworks --
And I'm just going tell Hannah and Daniel that it's cool for them to move on and just go and have a watch. Guys, enjoy, enjoy. I'm so excited for you.
Guys, as I was saying, there's no trial run. There's a 9:00 fireworks for the kids. There's a midnight fireworks. But the technicians don't get to do a practice one day out, two days out. Instead, they've got nine tons of fireworks up there. Hundreds of different places across the bridge where they fire them from.
