Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Live Event/Special
CNN New Year's Eve Live. Aired 5-6p ET
Aired December 31, 2025 - 17:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[17:00:00]
BORIS SANCHEZ, CNN ANCHOR: About Athens. It's the birthplace of democracy. You see the Parthenon right there? I'm hoping that they put on a spectacular fireworks show much like the ones that we've already seen tonight in the Middle East. I think we're only a few seconds out, guys.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (Foreign Language)
SANCHEZ: About 15 seconds. That was a cue to the producers so that they would tell me how much time was left about 15 seconds. As you think about New Year's Eve. And now we're getting closer to it coming to Paris right as we're watching these fireworks, I want you guys to think about what your resolutions are going to be. Because after these fireworks, I'm going to ask you what they are.
SANDY HERIBERT, FRENCH T.V. HOST: OK.
SANCHEZ: So let's come up with some good ones as we get ready to watch this fascinating show coming to us live from Athens, Greece, just about an hour away. Let's watch and listen.
(MUSIC)
(SINGING)
SANCHEZ: What a light show coming to us from Athens, Greece. We got a little taste of Cape Town, South Africa there for a moment as well. All to the sounds of Cee Lo Green and Cheat Codes. A special evening already and more is coming.
[17:05:07]
SANCHEZ: We're back out live with Sandy and Bruno. Guys, I asked for you to think of resolutions. Sandy, what are you hoping to get out of 2026?
HERIBERT: So let me think. That's on my list. Hoping to get on my New Year's resolutions, New Year resolutions, maybe positive thinking, also talking better to myself about myself. That's really important for your mind.
SANCHEZ: Yes. HERIBERT: And also I'm going to pick my mom's wand every year. Learn a new language. It's always good to have good, you know --
SANCHEZ: It's -- yes.
HERIBERT: -- new expectations every year.
SANCHEZ: It can be challenging at times, as our viewers can attest a little bit embarrassing because I can hardly say the Champs Elysees.
HERIBERT: It's good. Getting better there.
SANCHEZ: We're getting there.
HERIBERT: We're getting there, guys.
SANCHEZ: Piece by piece. Piece by piece. Bruno, what do you got up your sleeve for the next year?
BRUNO GOUERY, FRENCH ACTOR: For the next year I want to improve my cooking. I have to do better --
SANCHEZ: Yes.
GOUERY: Yes, yes. Because I always thinking, the Americans told me, oh, you're French, your food is amazing. But I'm not a great cooker. So if I cook a lot, I have to do some sports
SANCHEZ: Yes. OK.
GOUERY: Making more sports. And the third thing is I want to paint and draw a little more. Because in "Emily in Paris," that season we discovered that Luke used to paint. And when I was a child, I paint a lot, I draw a lot. So I have to do that. That's my resolution.
SANCHEZ: Yes, yes, yes.
HERIBERT: That's good.
GOUERY: What about you?
SANCHEZ: Oh, man. Between learning a new language, drawing, cooking, I can't hardly cook pop tarts. Like, you know what, the --
GOUERY: Yes.
SANCHEZ: -- thing you say, I can barely do that. They don't come out well. So I guess cooking, maybe trying out a new -- or at least just --
HERIBERT: Yes.
SANCHEZ: -- perfecting the proper nouns in French will be an accomplishment for me.
HERIBERT: Well, let's do a cooking lesson -- GOUERY: Exactly.
HERIBERT: -- and I will teach you French.
SANCHEZ: And then play sports. She's also a sports journalist.
HERIBERT: Yes, absolutely.
SANCHEZ: So there we go. Yes.
HERIBERT: Yes, yes.
SANCHEZ: Hey, Laura, we're going to send it back out to you. I know you've got something special cooking with Lynda Kinkade.
LAURA COATES, CNN CHIEF LEGAL ANALYST: I mean, I can at least make pop tarts. Let's go down to where can I fabulous hot chicken. Things are heating up. Lynda Kincaid, you're at Anzie Blue. What's happening, girl? What's going on?
LYNDA KINKADE, CNN ANCHOR: Laura, you would not know it is winter here. We are working up a sweat. There is a lot of boots skirting going on here. We've got amazing musicians and a full on party scene. I want to introduce you to some of our partygoers and musicians.
Kishana (ph) is a soul singer. What is your wish for 2026?
KISHANA: Ooh, to build, build community, build esteem, build love. Just to keep building.
KINKADE: Keep grooving. And Alyssa is a country singer. What is your wish for 2026?
ALYSSA: I hope to travel to meet more fans and just put out more music.
KINKADE: And what do you -- and what do you love about partying in Nashville in New Year's Eve?
ALYSSA: Partying in Nashville? Oh, my God. We never don't have fun. It's never not a good time.
KINKADE: What's your favorite thing about Nashville?
KISHANA: Oh, community. The people, they're lovely. That it's, like the only thing really keeping me here.
KINKADE: And, Laura, we've had people that have traveled from all over to be here tonight.
Matt, what is your wish for 2026?
MATT: Oh, I got to get back into the gym. That's what we're going to do. Yes.
KINKADE: I mean, I feel like we all have to do that.
MATT: Yes.
KINKADE: That is -- that is a good wish. So we are going to have so many more amazing musicians here in the coming hours. We've already had John Clyde Cash (ph). And coming up in Charlotte, we're going to have Chris Isaak.
COATES: But keep your boots on the ground because coming up, we have a really special performance for you. It's one of the biggest movies of the year. We'll hear the incredible music from "Sinners."
(SINGING)
OMAR JIMENEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You've heard it in the movie. Now you're going to hear it in person with the one and only Miles Caton --
MILES CATON, AMERICAN ACTOR, MUSICIAN: Sure.
JIMENEZ: -- from "Sinners." He's going to be performing the one and only song "I lied to you." Coming up, a few less vampires, I hope.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[17:13:30]
COATES: Welcome back, everyone. This night is already rocking and it's about to get even better. I want to get right to Omar Jimenez at Ground Zero Blues club in one of the best cities, Clarksdale, Mississippi. Omar.
JIMENEZ: Hello. Yes we are here and you see this club where we are right now, Ground Zero. And it is in Clarksdale, Mississippi. And when you look out over the landscape around here, there is really just a feeling that you get. A feeling of history, the birthplace of Blues. And a feeling that was captured in one of the biggest movies this year, "Sinners" and the song "I Lied To You." (SINGING)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You OK?
SANCHEZ: Oh.
COATES: Man.
SANCHEZ: Oh.
COATES: I'm going to tell you something right now, that young man --
SANCHEZ: Oh.
COATES: -- has been to the crossroads. People who have gone to Clarksdale, they know he was amazing in centers. He's even better right now. This kid is only 20 years old, Boris.
SANCHEZ: That -- the -- there is heartbreak in that voice that goes beyond those 20 years. That was powerful. That was so amazing. Thank you to him for bringing us that performance. That was unbelievable. COATES: So good.
SANCHEZ: We do want to go to Times Square -- yes -- and pivot --
COATES: And of course --
SANCHEZ: -- to Victor Blackwell, who is standing by for us. What was that, Laura? VICTOR BLACKWELL, CNN ANCHOR: Hey, guys, listen. We are a few hours
out --
SANCHEZ: There he is, Victor Blackwell.
BLACKWELL: -- from the ball drop here in Times Square. We're a few hours out from the ball drop here in Times Square. You knew I would swag out. Come on, now. You knew I would swag out.
We got some time, but the party's already started.
SANCHEZ: Of course. Of course. What a pivot.
BLACKWELL: Listen, hundreds of thousands of people are here in Times Square. A billion watching around the world. It's in the 20s -- I love you too, back there.
Listen, it's a feels like temperature, the 20s here in New York. But farther south, my friend and colleague Ryan Young got the chance in the warmer Miami Dade County to drive Flo Rida to his performance at the Miami Dade Chamber of Commerce. He swagged out, too. Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RYAN YOUNG, CNN SENIOR NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: All right, man. So what's this like to, like, be in your city and know that so many people look up to you and want to see you do well?
FLO RIDA, AMERICAN RAPPER, SINGER-SONGWRITER: Oh, man, it's a dream come true, you know. Took a long time. It's a long time coming.
YOUNG: Yes.
FLO RIDA: You know, the fact that I get a chance to travel the world, come back, and, you know, my friends are inspired, you know, and just watching the youth, you know, definitely, like, take their hats off to me is always, like, a blessing, man.
YOUNG: Like New Year's, I've been at parties, it's been dull, and then all of a sudden, "Low" comes on. And, like, it just wake everybody up, like, to know that your songs have that power. What's that like to have that power?
[17:20:04]
FLO RIDA: Man, I just say, hats off to my brother T-Pain and DJ Monte, man.
YOUNG: OK.
FLO RIDA: Just -- that's a record, like it's going down in history at this point.
YOUNG: Yes, sir.
FLO RIDA: Yes. So to hear my music and see people sing it, you know, all over the world. I've been in places where, you know, they don't even -- I don't understand the language, they don't --
YOUNG: Yes.
FLO RIDA: -- understand nothing but the music, and they singing it back.
YOUNG: Right.
FLO RIDA: It's just phenomenal.
YOUNG: I heard you say something interview one time. You talked about you love the fact that people know you internationally. Why does somebody who grew up in Miami, who's an artist, want that international love? What makes it extend that you feel that power of all this?
FLO RIDA: I mean, you kind of said it in a nutshell. The fact that, you know, growing up in Miami is a gumball of different cultures.
YOUNG: Hundred percent.
FLO RIDA: So it's one thing for me to meet the people that travel here, but to actually go to their country, you know, and get a chance to embrace their culture is just, you know, it's a dream come true.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[17:25:27]
COATES: Welcome back. I'm going to go live to Times Square and of course we're going to find Victor Blackwell there. Victor.
BLACWELL: Laura, you know, I don't -- I'm not as swagged out as you are right now because I saw you from my hotel room and you look fantastic. But, you know, I like to get into a little something for the party. I do like a celebration. And I'm here with some of my new friends who've come in from around the world to the crowd. Cross worlds of the world for 2026.
Let me hear from you guys. All right, so we've all day had some fantastic performances and we've got one coming up. We just saw Ryan Young before the break drive Flo Rida to his performance in Miami. But I need some help introducing the performance. So I've got some new friends here from Menominee Nation, Wisconsin.
And give me your name.
CHRISTINA: Christina (ph). JASON: Jason (ph).
NATALIA: Natalia.
ADAN: Adan (ph).
BLACKWELL: Hello to everybody. And I've got two questions here about the icons of 2025. And I'll need you to give me the right answers so that you can introduce this performance and the crowd can help. You guys can help. OK?
Here's the first question. How many of Drake's ex-girlfriends were featured in Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl performance? One, two, three, or none? Any help?
Two? Did I hear two?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Two.
BLACKWELL: Two is the right answer. All right, let me see if we can get bonus here. Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce announced their engagement on Instagram in August. They called themselves what, your math teacher and science teacher, your principal and guidance counselor, your football coach and music teacher, or your English teacher and your gym teacher? Who knows Taylor Swift?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Your football coach and music teacher?
BLACKWELL: It's English teacher and gym teacher. But you did get one right. You got one right. So I need your help introducing this performance. All right, here you go. From the Miami Dade Chance Chamber of Commerce, here's Flo Rida performing his hit "Low."
(SINGING)
[17:31:29]
BLACKWELL: Listen, another performance from Flo Rida is coming up later this evening, but the party has started here in Times Square. There was a mad dash to get to some of these positions near the main stage here. Of course, Anderson and Andy are coming up in a few hours. The ball's coming down later, but the crowd's starting to fill in, and I'll have some updates for you throughout the evening. Boris, back to you.
BORIS SANCHEZ, CNN HOST: I cannot wait to see it, Victor. I hope you are ready to go for the rest of this evening. It seems like the crowd there is ready. Last year, we had Coy Wire out there talking about wearing a diaper. I'm not going to ask Victor what preparations he's made, but it takes a lot to stand out there all night, as it does for some of the folks that have been back here watching and waiting for the light show that's coming in just a few minutes at the Arc de Triomphe. HERIBERT: Some of them, I mean, they've been waiting for four hours down there in the cold, 1 million people, and we can start to hear them scream for the past 20 minutes.
SANCHEZ: Yes, they've been having a good time. I want to give a shout out to my friend, Ryan Young, wearing that white suit and a convertible with Flo Rida. It does not get more Miami, Miami Vice than that. You know what doesn't get more French than, I messed that up. Who -- there's nothing more French than the Moulin Rouge, is what I'm trying to say.
HERIBERT: Actually.
SANCHEZ: Let's go to the Moulin Rouge right now with Melissa Bell.
HERIBERT: Iconic.
SANCHEZ: Melissa, talk to us, what are you seeing?
MELISSA BELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And, Boris, there's nothing more French than the French Cancan. It's been being danced here for 136 years. They're about to go on stage to give us a bit of French Cancan. They're going to give us a bit of French Cancan before we do. Take it away. Yay.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BELL: They're backstage here at the Moulin Rouge with some of the dancers preparing to go out to do the big, spectacular New Year's Eve dance. And look at this, look at this. Glamour, beauty, all of them getting ready for tonight's show. Portia, good evening. Tell us about tonight, New Year's Eve.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm so excited to be here. The atmosphere is just buzzing. We have one show, it is perfectly timed. We start at 10:22 and it will finish one minute before New Year's Eve for countdown.
BELL: Oh, perfect. Perfect. And you guys look amazing. And they come from everywhere.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BELL: Now, it's half an hour to go before it's midnight here in Paris. There'll be the French Cancan and then they'll have this finale. Petals will come from the sky. For the guests that are here tonight, give us one last go, ladies.
COY WIRE, CNN SPORTS ANCHOR: What's up, everyone? I'm Coy Wire in Pasadena, California, where we are putting the final touches on the floats that will appear in the iconic Rose Parade. Dating back to 1890, these floats dazzle, they inspire. This year, they lead up to the Rose Bowl game between Alabama and Indiana.
And for the first time ever, CNN is bringing it to you. Are you CNN's Elex Michaelson?
ELEX MICHAELSON, CNN ANCHOR: I am, Coy. How are you doing?
WIRE: Do you want to host this special with me tomorrow?
MICHAELSON: Oh, you're so excited to do this. It's going to be raining, but that's OK. First time raining on the parade in 20 years. But CNN's got live coverage starting at 11:00 a.m. Eastern, 8:00 a.m. right here in Pasadena. Two hours of Rose Parade. It's going to be the perfect way to start off the New Year.
[17:34:44]
WIRE: We will see you there. Rise up, and happy New Year, everyone.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COATES: All right, everyone, here is my next clue, because whenever I'm here with Isa Soares, she's got some clues and some themes. What could it be?
ISA SOARES, CNN ANCHOR: One of the great events of the year. Wimbledon. In June, obviously, this is my attire, the great Wimbledon outfit. Bible here with all the facts.
COATES: Oh my gosh. Look at you.
SOARES: Look at the towel. We've even got you some strawberries somewhere, if I can find them.
COATES: Why are the strawberries a thing?
SOARES: Strawberries and cream. You always have strawberry and cream at Wimbledon.
COATES: Oh wait, wait, I knew that.
SOARES: Did you know that? No?
COATES: No.
SOARES: The most expensive strawberries you'll ever get.
COATES: The U.S. Open has like the mint -- the mint like what -- whatever.
SOARES: What do you have at the U.S. Open?
COATES: We don't have that.
SOARES: Strawberries and cream.
COATES: We've got the Williams sisters, so and Coco Gauff.
SOARES: OK, all right.
COATES: So there's that. There's that.
[17:40:00]
SOARES: Let me ask you a fact, in case our viewers are watching, they want to know, maybe Max might know this, when we go to him in Edinburgh. The first winner --
COATES: Yes.
SOARES: -- first man, 1877. Do you know what the prize money was?
COATES: What?
SOARES: Twelve guineas. That's $15.
COATES: Wow.
SOARES: Jannik Sinner won 3 million.
COATES: That's now popcorn at the movie theater.
SOARES: Right? Isn't that crazy?
COATES: But no, what's crazy is how much you commit to your outfit out here.
SOARES: It is cold out here, you all. I'm also wearing trainers. You can't see my trainers. I can't lift. I can't do the Cancan, people, OK? You just have to believe.
COATES: We can't go to Paris.
SOARES: But I do have --
COATES: You look great.
SOARES: I do have. Hold on.
COATES: What do you have for me?
SOARES: I deliver. I deliver, OK? Some are real, some are fake. These are good.
COATES: This is amazing. All right, are they all? OK, this one. OK. OK.
SOARES: This is good. Great event of the year. Normally not in December, right? In June, but.
COATES: Can you play tennis?
SOARES: Bad. My backhand is poor.
COATES: Oh, well, in that case, I play really well. And she can't prove it right now.
SOARES: I should give you the medal.
COATES: Oh, nevermind, I can't.
SOARES: Those are good strawberries, though.
COATES: And look at this. This girl. Let me tell you about Isa Soares, everyone.
SOARES: You wait for the next one.
COATES: The next one. Oh my God, Max Foster. All right, Edinburgh, let's go to you. Wow.
MAX FOSTER, CNN ANCHOR AND CORRESPONDENT: Seriously, we've got haggis and whiskey, but we do have 40,000 people for Hogmanay. This is the street party. Straight after the fireworks, we're going to have a spectacular scene of Auld Lang Syne. This is the country where it's from. Imagine that lot going in and out of circles.
Anyway, before that, we're going to give you a moment of calm. A reading from Edinburgh's Poet Laureate, who reads that famous Robert Burns poem so beautifully, and we had the whole cathedral to ourselves for this moment. Have a look at this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Should old acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind? Should old acquaintance be forgot for Auld Lang Syne? For Auld Lang Syne, my dear, for Auld Lang Syne, we'll tack a cup o' kindness yet for Auld Lang Syne. We twa ha run about the braes and powed the gowns fine, but we've wandered mawny a weary fit sin Auld Lang Syne. We twa ha paddled in the burn from morning sun until dine, but seas between us brae ha roared sin Auld Lang Syne.
And there's a hand, my trusty friar, and gie's a hand o' thine, and we'll tack a right good willy walked for Auld Lang Syne. And surely you'll be your pint stoop, and surely I'll be mine, and we'll tack a cup o' kindness yet for Auld Lang Syne. For Auld Lang Syne, my Joe, for Auld Lang Syne, we'll tack a cup o' kindness yet for Auld Lang Syne.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FOSTER: Auld Lang Syne, something like friendship. The poem is actually about two old friends that get together, they look ahead to the new year, value old times, but until we get to midnight, it's just a big party, right? Happy Holidays.
COATES: That looks amazing. I'm not sure that I even know all the words to Auld Lang Syne, but I'm going to mimic them and pretend when we ramp up to midnight, it's coming up very, very, very, very soon. Do we have Boris and Sandy and Bruno over there in patty? I'd love to see what the French are doing tonight because there's a lot going on. It's almost midnight out there.
SANCHEZ: We're only about 20-ish minutes out, 17-ish minutes out, and we are so pumped because there's about a 10-minute light show that kicks off 10 minutes before midnight, and we are so excited to watch it here with about a million of our closest friends on the other side of the Arc de Triomphe, right? Sandy and Bruno, you were just telling me a moment ago that here on the Champs-Elysees, it's not really where a lot of Parisians go to celebrate the New Year. There's a lot of crowds. Is this your first time here celebrating New Year's Eve?
GOUERY: I have to say that is my first time to celebrate New Year's Eve on Champs-Elysees, so thank you, CNN. Thank you, America. God bless America.
SANCHEZ: Indeed, indeed. I share that sentiment. Sandy, you were here a few years ago.
HERIBERT: No, no, no. It was my -- when I was 18, it was my first New Year's. Thank you so much Boris. I'll come back.
SANCHEZ: Yes.
HERIBERT: Yes. I just remember a lot of crowds, a lot of people, a lot of chanting and people kissing, but there's different ways of celebrating New Year's. Like Bruno, you were saying you go to friends' house, we have a nice dinner.
[17:45:01]
GOUERY: Yes. Dinner, it's the most important thing in France.
HERIBERT: It's food, right? So you can also be on the river Seine. There's different ways to celebrate New Year's.
SANCHEZ: What kind of food are we talking about here? Give us an idea.
HERIBERT: Oysters.
GOUERY: Oysters.
SANCHEZ: Oysters.
GOUERY: Salmon.
SANCHEZ: Salmon.
GOUERY: Foie gras.
HERIBERT: Yes. Foie gras.
SANCHEZ: Oh, the foie gras.
HERIBERT: Say foie gras. Foie gras.
SANCHEZ: Foie gras. I know how to say foie gras, yes, yes, yes.
HERIBERT: Perfect.
SANCHEZ: Escargot.
HERIBERT: Yes, yes, snails, snails, definitely. SANCHEZ: Snails, yes, yes.
GOUERY: Champagne, obviously.
HERIBERT: Oh, champagne, definitely.
SANCHEZ: So if you're not cooking this food, who's cooking it? Because you said a moment ago that one of your resolutions for the next year is to become a better cook because you're not that adept in the kitchen. Who's cooking this food for you?
GOUERY: It's not hard to cook oysters, salmon, and foie gras.
SANCHEZ: That's a good point.
GOUERY: Yes, yes. You have just to bring them and it's ready, you know. So it's not a big deal.
HERIBERT: Oh, careful. You have to bring them, but you also have to open them.
GOUERY: Yes, yes.
HERIBERT: And there's a real technique. It's a shame we don't have them here.
SANCHEZ: You've got to chop them. No, you have to put, you know, the knife at the bottom of it. But there's two schools. There's two ways of either you do it from the bottom or the other way. But it's quite technical.
SANCHEZ: We'll get into the technicalities at some point tonight, possibly, as we take a live look at the Eiffel Tower, that iconic landmark here in the city of lights and the city of love. We're going to take a quick break. We'll be right back with New Year's Eve Live on CNN.
CROWD: Happy New Year from Moulin Rouge.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[17:51:08]
SANCHEZ: Welcome back to CNN special live coverage of New Year's Eve around the world. And all evening we've been bringing you the sights and sounds of celebrations all over the globe. We're moments away from ringing in 2026 live from Paris as we take a live look at the Eiffel Tower all lit up in gold. And behind us here, the Arc de Triomphe, the signature landmark now in the middle of a laser display as I'm joined by Sandy and Bruno. Talk to us about the significance of the Arc de Triomphe, this central landmark that is an emblem of Paris.
HERIBERT: Absolutely. It was in 1863 by Napoleon, who actually died before seeing it, you know, finished. But this is one of the, let's say, the heart of Paris. It's where everything's happening. All the memorial, all the events, 14th of July. So this is definitely the place to be when you want to celebrate New Year's in Paris.
SANCHEZ: Yes. And Bruno, talk to us about how important it is for the world to see Paris all lit up one year after the Olympics. A lot has happened in the last year or so. What would you say is important for folks to take home about this beautiful city?
GOUERY: You mean what's the most important thing to go back with in America?
SANCHEZ: Sure.
GOUERY: Yes, no, but I think it's the memory, the souvenir. And I noticed that American people have a lot of expression around Paris. We will always have Paris. Paris is always a good idea. So I noticed that the love for Paris, the Americans and the people all around the world, thanks to the show, I noticed that. It's precious.
SANCHEZ: It is.
GOUERY: And I think the monuments and the beauty of Paris is the most important thing for sure. Keep the memory, the souvenir.
SANCHEZ: And viewers of "Emily in Paris" certainly have that in mind as you were like ambushed once during a tour. You were telling us earlier, Sandy, you were going to say something?
HERIBERT: Something we say in Paris is Paris est une fete.
GOUERY: Yes.
HERIBERT: Paris is a party nonstop. You can party all year round, but the best time of year is now. The best parties are happening right now, ladies and gentlemen.
SANCHEZ: And there is a party happening right now at the Moulin Rouge. Melissa Bell is there. She's been there all night for us, taking us backstage. Melissa?
BELL: We are just outside the Moulin Rouge here waiting for this show that's going to happen in about nine minutes time. They're going to have the petals coming down. You saw the French Cancan there. It's been being danced here for 136 years. It's where it was born. The iconic French monument, the heart of Paris, really. Of course, what New Year's Eve means here in Paris is a lot of eating, of course, a lot of drinking champagne. Here at the Moulin Rouge, it is 300,000 bottles of champagne that are drunk every single year.
Of course, for a lot of French, it's about being at home, eating a lot of food, foie gras, a lot of delicacies. Here, it's all about the Cancan and the champagne. In a few minutes time, the petals will fall from the ceiling and we will celebrate midnight.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: One million.
SANCHEZ: What?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: One million.
SANCHEZ: An evening of glamour as we look at the lid of Arc de Triomphe. Just six and a half or so minutes away from the fireworks lighting up the night sky here. We are expecting quite a show, so don't go anywhere just yet. I wonder, as we look back on 2025, Bruno, what memory are you going to keep with you for the rest of your life?
GOUERY: For the rest of my life?
SANCHEZ: From this year.
GOUERY: From this year?
SANCHEZ: Yes.
GOUERY: I mean, the most -- I have to say that I go to Los Angeles to do the premiere of a movie of Johnny Depp.
SANCHEZ: OK.
GOUERY: And I met Al Pacino. Can you imagine for me as an actor?
SANCHEZ: Yes, obviously, a legendary actor, Al Pacino. Sandy, how about for you? What would you say is the memory from 2025 that you're going to keep with you forever?
[17:54:57]
HERIBERT: Well, there wasn't much happening in 2025 in Paris, but definitely the Olympics of 2024 continued to last for a full year. Like, you could really scent -- you could really feel the atmosphere in Paris. We absolutely enjoyed the Olympics and we could still feel it a few months later.
So yes, that's what I would take. I know it's 2024, Boris, but I mean, we could still feel -- we would still -- we had the rings on the Eiffel Tower for a full year. So that was really nice.
SANCHEZ: And what would you say you're most looking forward to in 2026 as we're now just five minutes out watching a laser show on the Arc de Triomphe. Again, about a million of our closest friends joining us.
HERIBERT: What I would wish for 2026, it might seem a bit lame, but I'd love peace on Earth. I mean it's difficult times and I'll talk about that right now, but I'd like things to smooth down a little and calm down for, you know, for peace sake. So that would be my wish for everyone here in Paris and all around the world, Boris.
SANCHEZ: Yes, no doubt. You were talking earlier about the power of positive thinking. Important to think positive, especially as you've talked about some of the challenges that still lie ahead, not just for Europe, but also for the world as well.
Bruno, 2026 is coming up. You just had the premiere of "Emily in Paris" season five. It's topped the charts on Netflix, but you've got a whole new year ahead of you. So what are you most looking forward to?
GOUERY: For me or for the entire?
SANCHEZ: For you, for anybody.
GOUERY: Now for anybody, I have to do after the word peace, love. You know, peace and love is the most important thing for my life and for everyone.
HERIBERT: And Paris is the city of love.
SANCHEZ: It is the city of love. It is the place to love as we watch the Arc de Triomphe getting lit behind us. What exactly are we looking at here? It looks like it's the Eiffel Tower in the center.
HERIBERT: Yes, it's an incredible mapping tonight, Boris. Also, you know, sound and you can hear, I don't know if you can hear the crowd screaming since the past five minutes. We are so waiting for the fireworks starting in like less than three minutes now.
Also, all the playlists that we can hear, only 100 percent girls. So that, yes, also they wanted to show Paris and also the ideas and thoughts about Paris and girls and women empowerment is one of the themes of tonight.
SANCHEZ: Oh, that's fantastic. As we listen to this amazing music, you see the crowds there. Everybody's got their phone out, of course, trying to capture the moment.
HERIBERT: It's 2025, yes.
SANCHEZ: It is.
HERIBERT: Oh, wow.
SANCHEZ: We've already got some fireworks getting us ready to go.
HERIBERT: Oh, wow, gorgeous.
SANCHEZ: Look at that.
HERIBERT: Oh, wow.
SANCHEZ: So now we're about two minutes and 50 seconds or so from the New Year. You were telling me a moment ago that there's a special tradition, a specific pastry --
HERIBERT: Yes.
SANCHEZ: -- that French people have on January 1st. Tell us more.
HERIBERT: So this is called La Galette des Rois. And you need to say it in French. Galette.
SANCHEZ: Galette.
HERIBERT: -- Des Rois.
SANCHEZ: Des Rois.
HERIBERT: So I know that in Louisiana, you have this, this --
SANCHEZ: King cake.
HERIBERT: Yes. It's king cake.
SANCHEZ: Yes.
HERIBERT: So we have this as soon as we're in January. So that's the good news. In less than three minutes, you'll be able to have a little slice of this Galette des Rois. And inside, you have like a lucky charm.
SANCHEZ: Yes.
HERIBERT: And the one that has it will become king or queen. And if I have it, I'll have to choose in between you guys to be my king for the rest of 2026. And if you, well, if you have it, I'll be the only queen tonight, which is great. That's why I actually brought it on set.
SANCHEZ: Fantastic. We're excited to try some of that. Have you had it before, Bruno?
GOUERY: Oh, yes. A lot of time. Yes, yes.
HERIBERT: Very fattening though. Very fattening. Yes, yes.
SANCHEZ: What does it taste like?
GOUERY: It's so good with the pate d'amandes. How do you say pate d'amandes?
HERIBERT: Almond pastry.
SANCHEZ: Yes.
HERIBERT: Frangipane. It's absolutely delicious. It's very gourmand, you know, like it's beautiful. And it's going to keep us warm until, you know, the next two hours.
SANCHEZ: It has been quite cool. We're fortunate to have electric underwear, electric blankets, a hat for Bruno as well.
GOUERY: Exactly.
SANCHEZ: Yes. I imagine you guys are regulars to this weather. I'm more of a tropical guy, so it's a bit of a challenge for me. Talk to me about any preparations that you've made going into tonight. Was there anything that you did to get ready for this evening? Get ready for the New Year?
GOUERY: You know, there is an expression in France, we say (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE) to put in on your 31. It's because you have to dress very well for the 31 for the night of the Saints invest or the Duvelant.
HERIBERT: Yes, yes.
GOUERY: So we have to prepare to dress well.
HERIBERT: Well, I was surprised not to see glitter on your coat, Bruno. I mean, you could have some in mine.
GOUERY: You look fantastic.
HERIBERT: Thank you very much.
GOUERY: Yes.
SANCHEZ: Yes. Sequins are in tonight. Everybody's been doing it.
GOUERY: That's right.
SANCHEZ: Yes.
HERIBERT: I do look like a mermaid a little bit.
SANCHEZ: Indeed. Indeed. So our producer just shared some information in my ear. However, because it's so loud behind me, I couldn't hear anything that she said. So I will ask her to repeat it as someone hands us this majestic cake. We're now about a minute out. Is that right? Less than a minute.
[18:00:00]
HERIBERT: Less than a minute.
SANCHEZ: Here we go.
HERIBERT: Wow.
SANCHEZ: Thirty seconds out now from 2026.
