LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 27: Host LL Cool J speaks onstage during "The Night That Changed America: A GRAMMY Salute To The Beatles" at the Los Angeles Convention Center on January 27, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Imag …
LOS ANGELES - Actor and Grammy Award-winning rapper LL Cool J has tested positive for COVID-19 and has canceled his upcoming New Year’s Eve appearance.
LL Cool J was set to perform during the "Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2022," special.
"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. The best is yet to come!" LL Cool J said in a statement to Variety.
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On Wednesday, Johns Hopkins University reported new COVID-19 cases hit the highest level since the start of the coronavirus pandemic as the highly contagious omicron variant continues to spread worldwide.
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Born James Todd Smith, the New York native has been in the entertainment industry for decades.
The 53-year-old has been in numerous films and television shows including "Deliver Us from Eva," and "In the House." He currently stars on "NCIS: Los Angeles."
He will celebrate his 54th birthday on Jan. 14.
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