Even A-Listers get festive goosebumps during the countdown to light the big tree.
Year after year, the majestic Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting is the pinnacle moment that marks a start to the holiday season for many New Yorkers and high profile figures alike.
Last night’s tree lighting, the final one of the decade proved to be a shining moment for all the above as performers and celebrities were more than spirited as they told amNewYork their upcoming holidays plans waiting for the lights to go on in the famed plaza.
Michael Luwoye, the famed “Hamilton” lead actor whose now reprising the role of Anthony Little on Bluff City Law had more celebrate than just Christmas this December as his birthday is just a near two weeks away. Luwoye told amNewYork that he wanted to relax while enjoying his birthday and holidays after a wild year of bouncing around, filming for the new NBC show.
In lieu of a new year’s resolution, Luwoye says that he “prefers to live in the moment than to think about changes for next year.”
Nia Franklin, better known as Miss America, has her sights dead set on the new year. That’s when she’ll be releasing a new hip-hop single and hopes to return to Rockefeller Center to perform at the first tree lighting of the new decade, in 2020.
The talented pageant winner also said she’ll be heading home to North Carolina to see family this holiday season.
For one of the night’s performers, home is a little closer — Rockland County to be exact.
Skylar Astin joined his future TV co-star of Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist, Alex Newell in a few holiday duets that blew the proverbial walls down at Rockefeller Center that night.
The Pitch Perfect actor told amNewYork when he called his mom right after getting the news that he would be performing at the tree lighting.
“She was in the front row tonight waving me on,” he said.
One celebrity newcomer and benefactor of the night also came in festive style with family.
The donor of the 77-foot Norwegian Spruce, Carol Shultz of chilly Florida in update New York, was spotted walking through the plaza wearing Christmas tree glasses while bundled up for the big night.
After planting the tree as a little girl, Schultz says if she plants another one it will “have lights on it and stay home this time around.”
Although technically not at Rockefeller Center Wednesday night, newly acquired New Jersey Devils defenseman PK Subban and his Olympic gold medal-fiancee Lindsey Vonn were also getting into the holiday spirit in midtown.
The happy couple skated and played hockey with fans at Bryant Park as part of a promotional event with Red Bull, celebrating the energy drink’s new winter edition.
After the two played some intense bubble hockey at the rink’s lounge (which Subban one in commanding fashion), they invited skaters at Bryant Park to join in the fun on real ice, giving plenty of kids and adults alike a night they won’t be forgetting anytime soon.
