Jeannie Mai Is Putting Herself 'Front Row' in 2024: 'I Need to Really Revisit What Jeannie Needs' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Jeannie Mai.Photo:Monica Schipper/Getty

Monica Schipper/Getty

Jeannie Maihas a fresh perspective just in time for a new year.

In light of her new gig as co-host forDick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrestin Los Angeles, Mai opened up about how she’s prepping for her big night — and detailed her intentions for 2024.

“I think we as women specifically don’t hear it enough that there is no greater love in your life, even as a mom, that you will ever get from anybody other than yourself. That is the first love of your life, and that will be the last love of your life,” Mai, 44, tells PEOPLE.

She continues, “As women, we look to our partners, we look to our parents, we look to our jobs, way more than we do ourselves, me included. And this year, I am putting myself front row.”

Mai — who is in the middle oflegal proceedingsfor a divorce from exJeezy— says that putting herself first will mean going back to the “basics” like eating on time and making rest a priority.

“I’m really having a very humbling moment right now, where I need to really revisit what Jeannie needs. And that is a new beginning for me,” she says.

Jeannie Mai.Monica Schipper/Getty

On her New Year’s Eve co-hosting gig, Mai says this is her “made-it moment.”

“And now, to be here on screen, my mom actually thinks my career counts. Now, it matters. Now, she’s proud. So this is a big moment for me,” she adds. “It’s also very telling of what America is all about. We go through so much in the year, and it’s that one time we can all come together for the same reason.”

In Los Angeles, a star-studded lineup of performers will take the stage includingAqua,Doechii,Ellie Goulding,Green Day,Janelle Monáe,Loud LuxuryxTwo FriendswithBebe Rexha,Ludacris,Nile Rodgers & CHIC, Paul Russell,Reneé RappwithCoco JonesandThirty Seconds to Mars.

Ahead of the show, Mai knows she wants to make co-hostRyan Seacrest"proud" and she has a few pre-show rituals to get her through.

“I love to make the script my own. So even though we have phenomenal writers, I have to feel like these are things that I would say myself,” she says. “Then No. 2 thing I would do is, this is really random, but I drink a half gallon of water every single morning.”

“So if you see me taking so many breaks and running off the stage between Doechii and Green Day and all these bands, I’m actually going in the bathroom, because I just drink so much water,” she explains. “It makes me feel more calm, and I know I’m not going to get a chance to drink it at all the rest of the day. And lashes, several of them.”

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Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2024will air live on ABC this Sunday starting at 8 p.m. ET and will take place in four different locations around the world — New York City, Los Angeles, Puerto Rico and South Korea — leading up to the countdown to midnight live from Times Square.

source: people.com