LL Cool J Struck With COVID, Cancels His New Year's Rockin' Eve 2022 Performance

LOS ANGELES, CA — Hip-hop singer and Los Angeles resident LL Cool J has canceled his performance in "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2022" after testing positive for COVID-19, according to recent reports.

The actor and rapper was expected to perform from Times Square in New York before midnight on Friday.

“I know it’s disappointing to the millions of fans, but my test came back positive for COVID, which means I’ll no longer be able to perform as scheduled at NYRE,” the actor-rapper said in a statement released by the Hollywood Reporter.

There will also not be a performance by Chlöe, MRC Entertainment said in a statement Wednesday.

Recently, the rapper has shared several silent videos on his Instagram profile of himself, masked, in locations around his hometown.

"We were ready and I was really looking forward to ringing in 2022 in my hometown in a special way, but for now I wish everyone a healthy and happy New Year," his statement reads. Still, remaining positive, he added: "The best is yet to come!"