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How did Leslie Jordan vanish? Fans left confused after hologram disappears during CNN's 'New Year's Eve Live'

Actor and writer Leslie Jordan's appearance was one of many celebrity appearances that included Sarah Cooper, Desus and Mero and John Mayer

Among the many specials airing on television to mark the beginning of 2021, CNN's 'New Year's Eve Live', hosted by Andy Cohen and Anderson Cooper for the fourth year in a row has created a lot of buzz due to some television magic. The special featured a myriad of performances and appearances, but it was Leslie Jordan's appearance and his literal disappearing act that viewers found memorable, but also confusing.

Actor and writer Leslie Jordan's appearance was one of many celebrity appearances that included Sarah Cooper, Desus and Mero and John Mayer. The event, which kicked off at 8 pm ET, also includes performances from John Mayer, Snoop Dogg, Patti Labelle, Jimmy Buffett, Carole Baskin, Josh Groban, Leslie Jordan, Dulce Sloan, Desus & Mero, Kylie Minogue, Aloe Blacc, Goo Goo Dolls and Jon Bon Jovi.

Cohen had earlier told CNN on hosting the event, "I really am excited to hang out and get drunk with you for five hours in New York City. Like that to me is a super fun New Year's Eve plan. So I'm psyched to hang out with you, and we're just going to turn this sh*t show around."

Jordan's appearance was organized keeping in mind the social distancing restrictions as Covid-19 infections are rising once again in the United States following Christmas celebrations. Many fans were excited to see the star on the show and found his appearance delightful.

One fan tweeted, "Omg Leslie Jordan is the ghost of New Years Present and I am HERE FOR IT." Another wrote, "Parents have decided to watch the CNN NYE show for drunk Anderson Cooper and my dad laughed so hard at Leslie Jordan that he choked on his wine. He cannot get over the joy of Tennessee elder gay."

A viewer wrote, "This is the New Year's content I am here for! Anderson Cooper is the superior show. They have a [holographic] Leslie Jordan!" Another referenced one of the many odd headlines of 2020 when Rudy Giuliani conducted a post-election press conference in front of a landscaping outlet to write, "I want to believe CNN meant to book Tracy Jordan for their NYE show but ended up with Leslie Jordan in a reprise of the Four Seasons Total Landscaping debacle."

However, some viewers were left confused by the disappearing act, with one tweeting, "ummmmm watching Leslie Jordan disappear. I’m shaking. I legit thought he was standing there what." Others had explanations for the TV magic, with one viewer tweeting, "@CNN this Leslie Jordan interview is just perfect. Y’all are bring so much joy to our NYE. Also the green screen work is [fire emoji]. Happy New Years from Tulsa! #CNNNYE."