Chrissy Teigen and John Legend, Taylor Swift and Hailey Bieber all shared photos from their low-key New Year's Eve celebrations. Instagram
Chrissy Teigen and John Legend, Taylor Swift and Hailey Bieber all shared photos from their low-key New Year's Eve celebrations. Instagram
Chrissy Teigen and John Legend, Taylor Swift and Hailey Bieber all shared photos from their low-key New Year's Eve celebrations. Instagram
Chrissy Teigen and John Legend, Taylor Swift and Hailey Bieber all shared photos from their low-key New Year's Eve celebrations. Instagram

New Year's Eve: How celebrities around the world rang in 2021, from Taylor Swift to Justin Bieber


Emma Day
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With the havoc wreaked by the pandemic, it's been a year most of us are happy to leave in the past.

And that's a sentiment also shared by many of the world's most famous faces, with a number of stars gladly bidding adieu to 2020 as the clock struck 12 on New Year's Eve.

From Taylor Swift and Reese Witherspoon to Hailey and Justin Bieber, and Chrissy Teigen and John Legend, here's how the world's celebrities said hello to 2021.

Queen Elizabeth II

The British monarch posted an uplifting message to mark the end of 2020, along with several shots taken throughout the year. Alongside photos of the Queen and Prince Philip marking their wedding anniversary, and the knighting of Captain Sir Tom Moore, the royal wrote: "We should take comfort that while we may have more still to endure, better days will return: we will be with our friends again; we will be with our families again; we will meet again.”

Cristiano Ronaldo

The Portuguese footballer rang in the new year with his four children and his partner, Georgina Rodriguez. The family marked the occasion by decorating their home with balloons, including four that together read "2021".

"2020 was not an easy year, there’s no doubt about it," Ronaldo captioned the shot. "But now it’s time to bounce back and show that, together, we can make a difference. Because no matter how hard is the fall, what really defines us is the way we get back on our feet and how fast we are ready to face new obstacles."

Kourtney Kardashian

The reality TV star got dressed up for the occasion, even though she stayed home to watch the clock strike 12.

Kylie and Kendall Jenner

The sisters spent the day on the slopes, as they enjoyed a family getaway to  Aspen to ring in the new year. That evening, the model and the beauty entrepreneur appeared to enjoy a low-key celebration at a high-end chalet.

Chrissy Teigen and John Legend

The couple enjoyed a housebound New Year's Eve, celebrating the last night of 2020 with celebrity hairstylist Jen Atkin. Wearing festive hats and stick-on jewels, Teigen shared a photo of the two, captioned: "Mom and dad wishing you a happy, healthy and beautiful new year blessed with the purest joys and most positive vibes."

The model also shared a short clip of the group playing a quiet board game, as she peeled apples:

Reese Witherspoon

The Oscar winner shared a thoughtful video to Instagram on New Year's Eve, as she wished her followers a happy new year. Reflecting on the challenges that the past year has brought, the actress also shared her appreciation for healthcare workers, essential workers and teachers.

"We have to take space to grieve what was lost ... my heart goes out to everyone dealing with grief," Witherspoon said, before reminding viewers that despite the pandemic, there has been plenty to celebrate in 2020, citing: "People connecting in ways they never have, people appreciating the things that are important in life, people speaking up and telling their stories and people really listening."

Sophie Turner

The Game of Thrones star, who welcomed her first child with husband Joe Jonas earlier this year, ushered in the new year at home, surrounded by a pack of pups.

Miley Cyrus

The American singer opened the annual Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve show. The festivities were this year live-streamed, but Cyrus shared a selection of photos from her time on stage to mark the occasion.

Jennifer Lopez

The Get on the Floor star also performed on Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve, with the show's Instagram sharing a clip of the singer and actress performing on stage wearing a voluminous dress and bejewelled headpiece.

Joan Collins

The Dynasty alumni sported a festive red feathered dress as she posed in front of her Christmas decorations with husband Percy Gibson. "Wishing everyone the most wonderful next year," the actress wrote.

Justin and Hailey Bieber

The singer enjoyed a wintry stroll with his model wife ahead of streaming a December 31 concert. "Just a couple, with matching jackets, beanies and coffee ready to bring in the new year with our friends and family!" Bieber captioned the above post.

Chris Pratt and Katherine Schwarzenegger

The couple, who welcomed daughter Lyla earlier this year, took the newborn to the beach for her first seaside trip ahead of midnight. "Closing out 2020 with a quiet beach walk," Schwarzenegger, daughter of actor Arnold, wrote on Instagram.

Taylor Swift

The singer-songwriter paid tribute to a "weird" 2020 as she posed in a fuzzy brown bear suit.

Gwen Stefani

The newly engaged singer shared a throwback from her 2019 New Year's Eve as she wore a camouflaged mask, before flashing forward to 2020. "Who knew this would be the look for 2020. Stay safe, rock a mask," Stefani wrote.

Jeff Bridges

The actor, who revealed his ongoing battle with cancer earlier this year, shared a family portrait with his wife and dog. "May we dream together of the kind of world we’d like to live in and make these dreams come true through our actions," he wrote.

Sarah Jessica Parker

The Sex and the City actress shared a safety warning from the 1920s, which is just as pertinent in 2021.

Kerry Washington

The Scandal star celebrated the end of 2020 with her father, who ushered in the new year with a themed joke. "Dad jokes have been a way for both my dad and I to find moments of joy in this challenging year," Washington captioned the clip. "Even the social distanced ones helped bring us closer together."

Katy Perry

"Leaving 2020 like ... " the California Gurls singer captioned a shot of her preparing to be fired out a rocket.

Halle Berry

The Oscar-winning actress shared a selfie wearing a funereal black veil, writing simply: "RIP 2020."

Tracee Ellis Ross

The Black-ish star also bid adieu to 2020 with a portrait. "Leavin' the shenanigans of 2020 behind! You better let go of my hair," she joked, as she posed in an emerald suit.

Sofia Vegara

The Modern Family actress saw 2020 out with a bang, sharing a clip of a firework display as she watched on from across the water.

Drew Barrymore

The comedy actress turned talk-show host held a solo dance party in her living room.

Jimmy Kimmel

The US TV host cooked up a feast, sharing a photo of his pasta dish with the caption: "Wishing you all lasagna in the New Year."

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Read more:

New Year's Eve 2021 celebrations around the world - in pictures

17 celebrity weddings that took place in 2020

11 weird and wonderful New Year's Eve traditions from around the world

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The Pope's itinerary

Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport


Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial


Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport

If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.

When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.

How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

French business

France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Married Malala

Malala Yousafzai is enjoying married life, her father said.

The 24-year-old married Pakistan cricket executive Asser Malik last year in a small ceremony in the UK.

Ziauddin Yousafzai told The National his daughter was ‘very happy’ with her husband.

AndhaDhun

Director: Sriram Raghavan

Producer: Matchbox Pictures, Viacom18

Cast: Ayushmann Khurrana, Tabu, Radhika Apte, Anil Dhawan

Rating: 3.5/5

Quick pearls of wisdom

Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”

Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”