Updated Dec. 13, 2025, 1:56 p.m. ET
NEW YORK – Anything that survives New York City for over three decades is worthy of celebration, and thus the party commenced at Madison Square Garden on Friday, Dec. 12, for iHeartRadio’s annual Jingle Ball concert, hosted by radio station Z100.
The show dates back to 1994 (it was once called “Z100 Acoustic Christmas”) and now is a part of a national Jingle Ball tour that iHeartRadio promotes.
The sold-out concert is typically a hot ticket in the city. Just ask “Real Housewives of New Jersey” star Melissa Gorga, who walked the red carpet with husband Joe and daughter Antonia, 20. Gorga said “everyone wants tickets,” and Antonia added that her friends also asked for tickets.
Coincidentally, Gorga ended up with two extras: Her sons Gino, 18, and Joey Jr., 15, were under the weather and couldn’t attend.
The family is already preparing for Christmas, which will be the first since the Gorgas reconciled a yearslong standoff with Joe’s sister, Teresa Giudice.
“For Christmas Eve, (Joe’s) sister is coming this year with her family,” Gorga, 46, told USA TODAY on the red carpet. “And all of our friends are coming too.”
After hosting Christmas Eve, the Gorgas will head to Aruba for New Year’s Eve. And while there’s no update on the “Real Housewives of New Jersey” franchise, Gorga did recently chat with Bravo’s Andy Cohen.
“Today (Cohen) was texting me, thanking me because I sent him a Sprinkles cake and Sprinkles cookies,” Gorga revealed. “He was like, ‘Happy holidays.’ Just a little bit of back-and-forth like that.”
The health hack that Nelly loves – but wife Ashanti ‘hates’
Hip-hop artist Nelly, who recently marked the 25th anniversary of his album “Country Grammar,” is now getting ready for his second Christmas with his son Kareem.
The rapper and his wife Ashanti welcomed the baby boy in July 2024. Nelly, born Cornell Haynes Jr., also has two children from previous relationships and adopted two children from his stepsister after she died from leukemia in 2005.
“It’s a little different because I’m a lot older,” Nelly, 51, joked. “I don’t trip off as much anymore. I’m pretty laid back. I let (Kareem) run wild. He’s cool to me!”
Perhaps that laidback attitude has also contributed to Nelly maintaining his youthful appearance. The artist said he’s “fortunate” before hypothesizing another reason for his look.
“I sleep cold,” Nelly continued. “I sleep under a fan and my wife hates it, but hey.”
Melanie C dishes on the ‘several’ Spice Girls group chats
Almost 30 years removed from the Spice Girls’ debut single “Wannabe,” Melanie “Mel C” Chisholm is still spicing up speakers across the globe. The artist and DJ will release her ninth album, “Sweat,” in 2026. The title track, which samples Diana Ross’ “Work That Body,” is out now.
“These things can be tricky,” the 51-year-old said of clearing the sample. “I’m very grateful to Diana and the publishers and other cowriters of the song that allowed us to use it.”
There are rumors that “Sporty Spice” and the rest of the group will reunite for the aforementioned 30th anniversary of the Spice Girls’ debut. Melanie C did confirm that she and the group still stay in contact via “several” Spice Girls group texts.
“Someone’s always misbehaving,” she joked. “And there needs to be a separate chat.”
