Cuban-American rapper and songwriter Pitbull made history in the New Year's tradition by placing the last crystal in the iconic Times Square ball this Friday.
This sphere, whose descent symbolizes the end of the year, will be the centerpiece of the New Year's Eve celebration for 2025 in the heart of New York City.
Pitbull was not alone in this symbolic effort. He joined Joy Mangano, founder of the cleaning company CleanBoss, in an operation that combined cleaning and the installation of glass on the iconic sphere of the One Times Square building. This skyscraper, currently undergoing renovations, will reopen in 2025 after years of work that has transformed the appearance of one of New York's busiest locations.
"I was a child who cleaned houses with my mother, and today I am here to represent a product that symbolizes all the excluded, those who clean hotels, buildings, and homes. I want to let them know that dreams can come true," said the singer, also known as "Mr. Worldwide," who expressed his gratitude and recalled his humble beginnings.
After these words, Pitbull installed the final glass panel of the sphere while Mangano cleaned it with his signature product.
Then, the rapper ignited the ball in a brilliant shade of red to the rhythm of his hit "Fireball," unleashing excitement among the attendees.
The unique sphere of Times Square
The geodesic sphere, which measures nearly four meters in diameter, is adorned with 2,688 glass triangles that were completely replaced this year for the first time in a decade.
The new crystals feature two innovative designs created by the New York-based company Gillinder Glass.
One Times Square: Adorned with long lines and a circle at the top, symbolizing the building and the pole from which the ball is held.
Ever Crystal: With three pairs of intertwined rings, surrounded by diamond-like facets and adorned with the letter "E" for ever, representing unity.
These crystals allow the sphere to illuminate with over 16 million vibrant colors and billions of patterns, creating a unique visual spectacle.
History of a Century-Old Tradition
The drop of the Times Square ball began in 1907 when a sphere made of iron and wood, equipped with incandescent bulbs, was lowered for the first time.
That ball, designed by the metalworker immigrant Jacob Starr, weighed 318 kilograms and had a diameter of 1.52 meters.
Over the years, the sphere has technologically evolved from its initial design to the current version, which is equipped with advanced LED technology.
Although the celebration was suspended in 1942 and 1943 due to nighttime blackouts during World War II, Times Square became a space for reflection where crowds welcomed the New Year in silence, followed by the sound of bells from One Times Square.
The year-end ceremony wouldn't be complete without the classic elements: fireworks, confetti with messages written by attendees, and the music of "New York, New York" by Frank Sinatra, which will accompany the transition into 2025.
This act, filled with symbolism and tradition, reaffirms Times Square as a global celebration epicenter, and this year it had a special touch with the participation of Pitbull and his heartfelt message about the power of dreams and perseverance.
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