The annual concert tour brought new and established artists to Capital One Arena.
Shawn Mendes performs at iHeartRadio and HoT 99.5’s Jingle Ball 2018. Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images for iHeartMedia.
Last Monday, iHeartRadio’s annual Jingle Ball came to Capital One Arena, with an all-star pop lineup that included Shawn Mendes, Meghan Trainor, G-Eazy and The Chainsmokers. To establish a community presence nationwide, iHeartRadio partners with brands and radio stations in specific cities for the holiday event; in DC, it’s HOT 99.5. In true holiday spirit, $1 from each ticket sold went to the Ryan Seacrest Foundation.
Emerging performers like Sabrina Carpenter, Bazzi, and NF showcased their talents alongside more established artists. “If I wasn’t performing here, I’d still go to the concert,” said Carpenter, also an actress and ambassador for the Ryan Seacrest Foundation.
“It’s surreal and the best feeling; I’m young and say how I feel, and the fact that people listen is the coolest thing in the world,” she said.
Sabrina Carpenter performs onstage during Jingle Ball 2018 on at Capital One Arena. Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images for iHeartMedia.
The concert featured Grammy-nominated artists like Bebe Rexha, who made headlines for congratulating fellow nominee Dua Lipa.
“Being nominated for Grammys puts all the hard work into perspective. The media wants to pit females against each other, and I’m not for that,” Rexha, who will be hosting a luncheon celebrating female artists before the Grammys, said to press on the red carpet.
Bebe Rexha performs onstage at Jingle Ball 2018. Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images for iHeartMedia.
This fervency showed in her performance of new record ‘I’m A Mess.’ “It’s about celebrating your insecurities and imperfections, and I feel like we all have them. We’re not all perfect,” Rexha said of the song, her favorite to perform on the tour.
Meghan Trainor performs at Jingle Ball 2018. Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images for iHeartMedia.
Meghan Trainor appeared, performing hits like ‘All About That Bass’ and ‘No Excuses.’ “It’s been pretty crazy,” Trainor enthused of her experience at this year’s Jingle Ball. “I got to meet Cardi B in New York, and that was the best thing ever. I love her!” The tour’s D.C. stop was Trainor’s last before she marries actor Daryl Sabara—who made a surprise visit with her cousins at her red carpet appearance—later this month.
Jingle Ball audience members at Capital One Arena. Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images for iHeartMedia.
Jingle Ball’s 2018 tour will conclude with concerts in Atlanta, Tampa and Miami.
