NEW YORK is ablaze with holiday charm this season, from the ice skating at Rockefeller Center to the captivating Rockettes kick line at Radio City Music Hall. Amidst the hustle and bustle of window shopping and Christmas bar hopping lies iHeartRadio's Jingle Ball. The annual concert, hosted by New York radio station Z100, took place on December 13 at the sold-out Madison Square Garden. The lineup was a delightful mix of pop radio aces like Katy Perry and Meghan Trainor, along with the rising stars of the charts such as Teddy Swims, Benson Boone, and Gracie Abrams.

More Than Just a Concert

iHeartRadio has transformed Jingle Ball into a nationwide tour, making it more than just a musical event. It's a vibrant New York scene. Backstage, Robert De Niro shared a smile with his girlfriend Tiffany Chen. They were joined by perhaps the night's most prominent stars - the "dog models" Tinkerbelle and Belle (both of whom graced USA TODAY's exclusive backstage portrait studio and were absolute angels). In a blink, one might miss Drew Barrymore or her "Fever Pitch" co-star Jimmy Fallon, accompanied by a plaque commemorating the airplay success of a song from his new holiday album.

Stars from Different Realms

There were "Real Housewives" and "Bachelor" stars in attendance. Even a few hosts of iHeartRadio podcasts made an appearance, including stand-up comedian Joe Gatto, who donned a jacket once owned by his grandfather, and former ABC "GMA3" anchors T.J. Holmes and Amy Robach (Holmes revealed that he is still wearing a compression sock due to an achilles injury and is not running yet).

Behind the Scenes Moments

Between the flashes of USA TODAY photographer Josh Morgan's camera, celebrities opened up about their past year and, in a nod to journalist Tracy E. Gilchrist, shared what they were "holding space" for in 2025.

'Queer Eye' Star's Return

When asked about returning to Madison Square Garden, "Queer Eye" star Jonathan Van Ness, 37, reacted with surprise. In March 2019, Pete Davidson and Kate Beckinsale were photographed kissing at the arena during an NHL game, with Porowski seemingly looking on as a third wheel. The internet went wild. "I love the Garden! Everyone here is always so nice," Porowski, 40, responded with his castmates laughing. "Any chance to come back, whether it's viral or not, I'm in." The group, including newcomer Jeremiah Brent, felt "relieved" as the show's ninth season is now on Netflix. Van Ness noted that Jingle Ball was the first major event and red carpet where all five of them were present. And Karamo Brown hopes it won't be the last, as he'd like Netflix to continue the show. "What we realized this new season is that we love what we're doing," the TV host, 44, said. "Especially seeing it through Jeremiah's eyes, we realized how blessed and grateful we are for this opportunity. If Netflix will have us for another 20 years, we'll be here."

Jimmy Fallon's Relatable Goal

The "Tonight Show" host is quite busy this time of year with the release of his album, "Holiday Seasoning." iHeartMedia presented Fallon with a plaque to mark the single "Holiday" featuring the Jonas Brothers hitting No. 1 on the Adult Contemporary airplay chart. "The album is really fun and aims to make you laugh," Fallon, 50, said. "It's family-friendly. That's what people need - a little break to enjoy. As for the new year, I'm thinking about getting really healthy. I'm not unhealthy, but I'm not super fit either. I want to get in shape and start doing some cardio. When asked if he'll seek advice from his athlete and celebrity friends, he deadpanned that he's "not friends with those people." Later, he added that he might ask Justin Timberlake for fitness program suggestions. "I own the treadmills and the bike, I just don't use them. So this year, I'm going to make use of them. I promise."

Meghan Trainor's 2025 Aspirations

Trainor released her sixth studio album, "Timeless," in June. This doesn't mean she won't create more music next year. She said she'll write songs but is undecided about when or if they'll be released. "I would love to have another baby," the Grammy-winner, 30, revealed. She and her husband Daryl Sabara have two children. "I'm going to hold that space and write new babies and new music."