By Courtney E. Smith
A Very GRAMMY Christmas adds two new faces to brighten the holiday extravaganza. LL Cool J will host the TV special, and Mary J. Blige has been added as a performer.
Blige is a smooth fit, as her new album The London Sessions will be out on the Tuesday preceding the show’s Dec. 5 airing. The R&B diva released a holiday album, A Mary Christmas, in 2013.
Related: Mary J. Blige Drops New Song ‘When You’re Gone’: Listen
Blige joins previously announced performers Ariana Grande, three-time GRAMMY-winning group Maroon 5, three-time winner Tim McGraw and Pharrell, who has seven awards.
In addition to performances by all these artists, the GRAMMY Album of the Year nominees will be announced during the telecast.
LL Cool J and the artists performing will also share their favorite holiday and GRAMMY memories.
A Very GRAMMY Christmas airs on CBS at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Friday, Dec. 5.