Rapper LL Cool J was all set to perform at this year’s Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest, but after testing positive for COVID-19, Deadline reported that the seasoned emcee would no longer headline the ABC special.
Celebrities scheduled to perform at the New Year’s Eve event reportedly include Daddy Yankee, Ciara, French Montana, Avril Lavigne, Big Boi, Travis Barker, Billy Porter and others.
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Per Deadline, LL Cool J shared with fans in a statement, “I know it’s disappointing to the millions of fans, but my test came back positive for COVID, which means I’ll no longer be able to perform as scheduled at NYRE. We were ready, and I was really looking forward to ringing in 2022 in my hometown in a special way, but for now, I wish everyone a healthy and happy New Year. The best is yet to come!”
The New York native was officially inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame along with Jay-Z, Tina Turner and Gil Scott-Heron. LL Cool J performed at the induction ceremony in October alongside Eminem and Jennifer Lopez.
The 53-year-old was also recently honored with a statue in the form of himself, donning his iconic bucket hat and gold chain. It was displayed in Queens, New York.
“Anything is possible. 
??Statue of me in Corona Park, Queens by the talented @sherwintheartist” LL Cool J commented on the statue on his Instagram in early December.
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According to Deadline, Fox recently canceled their New Year’s Eve Toast & Roast 2022 event due to concerns related to COVID-19 and the Omicron variant. And while ABC reportedly claimed to take a “wait-and-see approach,” they ultimately decided to go ahead with the New Year’s Eve special while following CDC guidelines.
