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CNN Live Event/Special
Great New Year's Challenge, Abu Dhabi; New Year's Eve Around the World. Aired 2:30-3p ET
Aired December 31, 2025 - 14:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[14:30:00]
BECKY ANDERSON, CNN HOST: ... We're going to go. All right. I don't think I'm we're going to go. All right. I don't think I'm going to catch the F1 car. Oh he's a jerk. You got to catch him, John.
JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Lets go, lets go.
ANDERSON: All right. I like the straightaways. Show me. Up?
BERMAN: (INAUDIBLE)
ANDERSON: Fill it up? There.
BERMAN: All right. Got to get out. Call me out.
ANDERSON: Whoo! Whoo! Oh, my. Thank you, Andre.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON (on camera): Look, the sun had come down by the time I got there I had to put my lights on.
BERMAN (on camera): You said people know, the two cars in front were driven by pros.
ANDERSON: Yes.
BERMAN: And then we were the two cars in back there. And, you know, the start was really something.
ANDERSON: Yes, well, the guy in front of me stalled. I mean, I felt sorry for him actually, because he did a superb driver, and it does happen. But the guy -- we had instructors with this guy, I kept saying, foot on the gas, foot on the gas. And I'm like, I'm going to hit the guy.
BERMAN: All I can say is driving that car and the dune buggy and the roller coaster. I kept making these sounds that I've never heard myself make before. I didn't know I could make them. And now I'm mortified that they came from inside me again and again and again.
ANDERSON: Let's make them again.
BERMAN: No, I hope not. I hope not.
ANDERSON: Well, it's already the New Year, 2026, in parts of the world, of course, it's still New Year's Eve in other regions. We continue our journey from country to country where people are looking to watch fireworks and of course celebrate. Stay with us.
[14:35:00]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Well, we are just minutes away from New Year's Eve here in Abu Dhabi. We're at the Hilton Abu Dhabi on Yas Bay, on Yas Island, and we will be ringing in the New Year with hundreds of people who are gathered here to see the fireworks at the top of this hour.
BERMAN: All of our closest friends have come here to.
ANDERSON: That's bad. Even in Abu Dhabi, they probably are. It's a small place. As we wrap up our New Year's coverage, let me bring back a couple of the guests that we've had on tonight, see what they are looking forward to in 2026. Actor Mohammed Mostafa, who features in the forthcoming June 3, which was.
BERMAN: Shot here in Abu Dhabi. Some of it shot down in the Liwa Desert, where I was.
ANDERSON: And Alia Lootah, we've got you too. Let's talk about June 3, then. Tell us about it.
MOHAMMED FAISAL MOSTAFA, ACTOR: First of all, I'm just super proud to be representing UAE talent on such a global film of such stature. And being alongside Deni, the director, and watching him as he --
ANDERSON: Yes, what's he like?
MOSTAFA: It's crazy how, when I witnessed it, I looked at Denis and how leadership trickles from top to bottom and how everybody on set was on high morale on point. And then I looked at it even further, leadership in the country and what they're doing now with CMA and creating the structure for the industry to grow and then leadership in our own lives, which is what I'm doing with the company and what we need to do on a day-to-day basis, so.
ANDERSON: So your brother's a director --
MOSTAFA: Yes.
ANDERSON: -- Ali, who I know. How does he compare with Demi then as far as leadership is concerned?
MOSTAFA: They both love what they do and they both float on set. And when that happens, that energy is contagious and it's a beautiful feeling.
BERMAN: 2026 in public art, what's going to be the biggest in the next year here. ALIA ZAAL LOOTAH, CURATOR, MANAR ABU DHABI: So we will have the second edition of the Public Art Biennial open in November and we continue to work on public arts commissions across the city. I'm working on very interesting projects, including pedestrian and underpass tunnels. That will be opening soon in the Emirates of Abu Dhabi.
ANDERSON: So you both grew up here. And so for those viewers who may not have been here, and I hope now that John's been, I know he's coming back.
BERMAN: I'm telling everyone. I'm telling everyone I know.
ANDERSON: Absolutely. But for those who haven't been here. Let's just talk about life here and what families do at this time of year, how you celebrate sort of New Year and what your aspirations and hopes are for 2026.
MOSTAFA: I mean, again, families wise, I mean, depends on the family. They have different, different things that they would.
ANDERSON: Yes.
MOSTAFA: A lot of them go on the rooftop, watch the fireworks. Others do different things in the desert. But what I do think being born and raised in this country is, you know, they've shown us that impossible is really nothing. And it's made us strive to want to do things and represent the UAE and represent things bigger than ourselves, which is the country and our community, our family.
[14:40:00]
To represent and do these things that we love at the highest possible caliber and the thing that we love to do most while we represent our home, the UAE.
LOOTAH: We have a tradition of being together. You know, we spend time at the desert. It's a time where families go out to the desert, spend the whole day out there, cook, and enjoy time together. Yes, so it's all about family and friends.
ANDERSON: So, listen, can you apologize to your families then? They're happy watching.
BERMAN: We're taking you away. We're taking you away.
ANDERSON: Is there any resolutions for 2026?
MOSTAFA: Very excited to more projects that I can't announce right now. And of course, secrets.
ANDERSON: You're going to keep secrets.
BERMAN: That's my resolution.
MOSTAFA: Building MFM Media. And then Ali has his City of Life continuing coming out soon. So that's the next. LOOTAH: Always to bring more art, to make more art, and to be out there and enjoy health and wellness.
ANDERSON: And to you both, we are just about --
MOSTAFA: Thank you.
ANDERSON: -- 20 minutes away from what's expected to be a record- breaking fireworks display right here in Abu Dhabi. So we thought we'd bring some more friends to the party.
BERMAN: Yes, Laura Coates is going to join us from London. Boris Sanchez is in Paris. Say with CNN, our special coverage of New Year's Eve around the world continues after this quick break.
[14:45:00]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's New Year's Eve, so let's get this party started. Happy New Year! Because it's 12 o'clock somewhere, and CNN is going there. With celebrations in London, Paris, Abu Dhabi, Edinburgh, Madrid, Angola, the Bahamas, Rio de Janeiro, and so many more.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Happy New Year!
SARA SIDNER, CNN ANCHOR: The excitement is building.
BORIS SANCHEZ, CNN ANCHOR: I got my party hat on.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We've got spectacular fireworks.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Here we go.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Rockin' parties.
MORGAN FREEMAN, ACTOR: Hello, everybody. Happy New Year.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And epic music performances from Bryan Adams, Burna Boy, Flo Rida, Florence and the Machine, CeeLo Green, Ally and AJ, Chris Isaac of Monsters and Men, John Carter Cash, Inji, and OK Go. So let's go. Get ready to welcome the New Year with us.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Wow.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I will never forget this night.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is a CNN special event, NEW YEAR'S EVE LIVE.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BORIS SANCHEZ, CNN HOST: Thank you so much for joining us on CNN's New Year's Eve Live. I'm Boris Sanchez coming to you live from the city of light, the city of love, Paris, France, right outside the Arc de Triomphe. Tonight, we are going to see a show unlike any other, and I'm joined by the one and only my good friend Laura Coates in London. Laura, you ready?
LAURA COATES, CNN HOST: Are you kidding me? I am so excited. I got the London Eye behind me. The fireworks are going to be amazing. I mean, I'm not in Paris, but I tried to bring you a look today, OK? This is my look for New Year's.
SANCHEZ: Oh, yes.
COATES: Very futuristic 2026. What are you getting me tonight? What are you giving me tonight? What's going on, Boris?
SANCHEZ: I mean, those fingerless gloves are impressive. You look spectacular, like a dignified, futuristic parliamentarian. Very, very nice. Let's go ahead and bring in our friends now. Becky Anderson and John Berman. We're in Abu Dhabi of all places. And if you've been watching, they have been having an unbelievable time. Look at that. From racing on an F1 track to riding the world's fastest roller coaster to now prancing around in -- I'm not really sure what to call that dance. How are you guys doing in Abu Dhabi?
BERMAN: Oh! Oh! You? Oh, I think they're talking to us on TV. I think we're on TV. This is our celebration.
ANDERSON: We are partying at the Hilton Abu Dhabi.
BERMAN: The party's been going on all night. We've got about 12 minutes to midnight here you can see the band's getting started. Becky, I mean you got started a long time ago I got to say.
ANDERSON: Yes, we got started a long time ago. But listen as John said, we are so close. There are hundreds of people here in Yas Bay getting ready to welcome in 2026. And we have got let me tell you a record-breaking attempt but now away from here at Al Wathba just outside Abu Dhabi as well.
BERMAN: Yes, so stick around we got a lot more to show you in just a few minutes.
ANDERSON: A record here.
SANCHEZ: And more dancing, yes. The more dancing, the better, if you want to call that dancing. I'm not really sure what that was, Laura, but I am excited for them and for that record-breaking attempt.
COATES: What I love was they said, wait, let's dance. You and I danced last year. We did not tango this year, but they're making up for it more than enough for all of us across the world. I have to say, at first I was jealous going to be a nice warm environment. But I get through with you, Boris Sanchez, and they're going to be some record- breaking moments broken on this show. Did we mention all of that for people? A lot's going to happen.
SANCHEZ: No doubt about that, Laura. It is going to be impressive. We're going to see impressive fireworks from where you are in London. I know you've got some stuff up your sleeve for us.
[14:50:00]
And here in Paris, we're going to take you behind the scenes of the Moulin Rouge. We're going to meet some of the dancers there. We're actually going to try to do the can-can, believe it or not. Do I attempt to split? Do I tear a hamstring? You will find out in the coming moments. Laura, I'll send it back to you.
COATES: OK, the answers to those questions are, yes, he will attempt a split, although, my God, are you sure? And yes, you will pull something because at our age, 21 and 23, respectively, we are seriously going to have some problem with your flexibility. But I got to tell you, all I heard was Boris at the Moulin Rouge and a can-can.
I need to see this sooner than later because I have a lot of images going through my mind right now, and it's all going to be worth it. Here, of course, in London, I mean, I don't know what I'm going to bring you. Will there be some moments with my great friend Isa Soares, who is sure to bring us all of the fun and culture here?
Will it be like the beautiful light show? Will I have some reason to find the fingertips on my gloves? I don't know. It's going to be a night. I don't even know what's going to happen.
SANCHEZ: I do hope you find the tips of those fingers, Laura. Let's go and bring you our first performance of these few hours, Mayssa Karaa performing Versailles. Enjoy.
MAYSSA KARAA, SINGER, VERSAILLES: Dance me out until the morning Dance me out until I'm free Spin me round until the ocean Becomes me Lay me down, love Let the light come and take me Lay me down, love Take me I wanna live while I'm alive Oh let me walk into the light I wanna touch the dark and the light Without any fear with nothing to hide
(SINGING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
I wanna live while I'm alive Oh let me walk into the light I wanna touch the dark and the light Without any fear with nothing to hide I wanna live while I'm alive
[14:55:00]
(SINGING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
COATES: What a beautiful performance. I want to go back to Becky and John Berman, who are standing by. Midnight is almost there in Abu Dhabi. What are you seeing, guys?
BERMAN: Sparkles. We're seeing sparkles everywhere here. I'm seeing sparkles on Becky. I've seen sparkles all night. We're seeing all kinds of people lining the streets. Just tell me about all the different fireworks we've got going on.
ANDERSON: Can you pick up the barges that you can see out there? So, Ray, if you pick up the barges, we'll say that's where --
BERMAN: They're all seeing us now. Describe the barges of the people lighting the streets here. You know, all these fireworks going on all over this region. We're going to see them here in Yas Bay. Where else are we going to see it?
ANDERSON: Live TV, John. We are -- there are about several or eight major firework displays here in the UAE. So here at Yas, off these barges. We're going to see them in Al Ain, which is a city about two hours away from from here. Liwa in the desert in the empty quarter. I took you there over the last 48 hours.
BERMAN: I was magic. So exciting they don't need fireworks, but they're having them anyway.
ANDERSON: Yes, the Liwa International Festival is an amazing event. There'll be fireworks there.
BERMAN: And then the Sheikh Zayed --
ANDERSON: The Sheikh Zayed Festival.
BERMAN: -- Festival which is on Al Wathba. They're trying to break God knows how many records.
ANDERSON: Yes, I think it's going to be 62 minutes of pyrotechnics. And things like, we've learned tonight about fireworks that we've never heard of. Waterfalls.
BERMAN: Waterfall fireworks.
ANDERSON: Yes.
BERMAN: I don't know bursting eye bursting.
ANDERSON: Whatever it is.
BERMAN: Fireworks your hair set on fire fireworks are setting a record for that.
ANDERSON: That that's Al Wathba which is about I don't know about 60 minutes away from here many of our viewers will recognize the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. Those are iconic fireworks, of course, those will be at the top of the hour as well. Those followers interestingly normally go off the Burj Khalifa which is the tallest building in the world I think still and then you see a firework display all all the way down Jumeirah Beach. That's generally what happens. It takes about half an hour. It is a spectacular display as well. BERMAN: And then here in Yas Bay but the cool thing is this will be the second fireworks show we've had here just tonight at 9 a.m. local time, which was three hours ago, they had one for the kids. So you could bring your kids out, say, hey we're ringing the New Year it's really New Year's right now. You trick them. You like the fireworks off you say woo Happy New Year. And then you put them to bed.
ANDERSON: I love the whole sort of getting the families out here. They're a very late night society, the Emiratis. You often see kids out having a walk with their mums and dads like they are tonight at Yas Bay. But as you say, those fireworks going off at 9 tonight was really for the families. So you can say to your kids, oh, Happy New Year! And they don't have to stay up until midnight?
BERMAN: I'm waiting to see -- what I'm waiting to see is how many different fireworks displays I'll be able to see from one place here. Because I have a feeling there's one here then then there's one there.
ANDERSON: So yes, we will definitely see the Yas Bay ones from here. We certainly won't see Liwa what which is about four -- three three hours drive as you know from here or Al Wathba. We may hear other fireworks going off here as well.
BERMAN: I keep looking at my watch to find out how much time we have until the actual New Year. Because I can't decide what costume to where if I go with the top the top hat or or the tiara.
ANDERSON: Why don't you do them both.
BERMAN: I like the tiara.
ANDERSON: Oh, no, I like the
BERMAN: You like the tiara.
ANDERSON: Do the tiara for the time.
BERMAN: I should. I might show wearing one.
ANDERSON: I might get bored of it within the next time two seconds and you got something to look at.
BERMAN: Look at the fireworks here. Look at that. There are low shows all kinds of places. All kinds of things going up in the air here. Oh, there we go there's my tiara. There you go. Welcome to our viewers in the United States and all around the world to see my tiara.
ANDERSON: Sailor. I'm going to forever see this is your image when I watch your show from here.
BERMAN: We got about 50 seconds left here in 2024.
ANDERSON: Do you know what I'm loving this year, are these drain shows? I mean, you've just pointed out that there's one going on here. We've seen them all the way through Asia, actually. If you've been watching CNN's coverage, you will have seen them. But look at this. How about that? That is beautiful.
BERMAN: Really? Yes, right there. That's a wave breaking on this. We are 30 seconds away. 30 seconds away from 2026. I got to say, I get more excited. My resolution, um ...
END
