NEW YORK: Pop star Lady Gaga has been chosen to lead New Year’s Eve countdown in New York’s Times Square this year.

The 25-year-old, who was born and raised in the city, has been chosen by mayor Michael Bloomberg to push a Waterford crystal button and drop the ball into the crowd at 11.59 p.m. Saturday night, reports contactmusic.com.

Every year, the mayor picks a special guest to lead the countdown and his previous choices were former US President Bill Clinton and his wife Hilary Clinton, boxing legend Muhammad Ali and politician Rudy Giuliani.

Over one million people are expected to join the celebrations.