Jeannie Mai has a fresh perspective just in time for the new year.
In light of her new gig as co-host Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest in Los Angeles, Mai opened up about preparing for her big night — and detailed her intentions for 2024.
“I don’t think we as women especially hear enough that there is no greater love in your life, even as a mom, than you will ever get from anyone but yourself. It’s the first love of your life, and it will be the last love of your life.” , Mai, 44, tells PEOPLE.
She continues: “As women, we look at our partners, we look at our parents, we look at our work, much more than ourselves, including myself. And this year, I put myself first.”
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Mai — who is in the midst of legal proceedings to divorce ex Jeezy — says putting herself first will mean going back to “basics” like eating on time and making rest a priority.
“I’m having a very humbling moment right now, where I have to reconsider what Jeannie needs. And it’s a new beginning for me,” she says.
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Jeannie Mai.
Monica Schipper/Getty
At her New Year’s Eve party as co-host, Mai says this is her “breakthrough moment”.
“My family and I watched Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve every year when I was a little girl, because it was the root of fun. This is what we were looking forward to, what we dressed up for. Everyone gathered around this small TV,” she recalls.
“And now, being here on screen, my mom actually thinks my career counts. Now it’s important. Now she’s proud. So this is a big moment for me,” he adds. “It’s also about what America is. We go through so much in a year, and it’s that moment where we can all come together for the same reason.”
In Los Angeles, an all-star line-up of performers will take the stage including Aqua, Doechii, Ellie Goulding, Green Day, Janelle Monáe, Loud Luxury x Two Friends featuring Bebe Rexha, Ludacris, Nile Rodgers & CHIC, Paul Russell, Reneé Rapp featuring Coco Jones and Thirty Seconds to Mars.
All 2024 New Year’s Eve specials, including viewing spots
Ahead of the show, Mai knows she wants to make co-host Ryan Seacrest “proud” and has a few pre-show rituals to go through.
“I love doing my own script. So even though we have phenomenal writers, I have to feel like these are things I would say myself,” she says. “Then, the other thing I would do is, this is really random, but I drink half a gallon of water every morning.”
“So if you see me taking so many breaks and running off stage between Doechii and Green Day and all these bands, I’m actually going to the bathroom, because I’m drinking so much water,” she explains. “I feel calmer and I know I won’t have a chance to drink it at all for the rest of the day. And eyelashes, a few of them.”
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Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2024 will air live on ABC this Sunday starting at 8:00 PM ET and will take place in four different locations around the world – New York City, Los Angeles, Puerto Rico and South Korea – until the countdown to midnight live from Times Square.
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Source: HIS Education