Celebrities galore, chocolate-stuffed goodie bags and a last minute wardrobe malfunction! FEMAIL gets an exclusive backstage look at this year's Jingle Ball in New York City

  • FEMAIL shadowed legendary Z100 radio host Elvis Duran as he played host to a star-studded line-up at Madison Square Garden on Friday
  • Acts on the bill included Justin Bieber, Ellie Goulding, Ariana Grande, Niall Horan, Diplo, Fifth Harmony and Charlie Puth

It's known for bringing together the biggest and brightest in pop music year after year. So, it's no surprise that Jingle Ball 2016 was about as star-studded as you can possibly get.

The annual event hosted by Z100 kicked off the holiday season with aplomb on Friday with sets from the likes of Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, and Fifth Harmony performed in front of a stadium packed with screaming fans - and a host of A-list stars - at New York City's Madison Square Garden.

Integral to the night's proceedings is Elvis Duran, the host of the the widely-syndicated radio program Elvis Duran and the Morning Show. The 52-year-old, who recently celebrated his 20th anniversary with Z100, gave FEMAIL an exclusive behind-the-scenes peak at this year's shindig.

The big night: FEMAIL received the exclusive backstage treatment at this year's Jingle Ball

Holding down the fort: Z100 star Elvis Duran (right) co-hosted the event with Ryan Seacrest

Crowd pleasers: The line-up included the likes of Justin Bieber, Ellie Goulding, Ariana Grande, Niall Horan, Diplo (pictured), Fifth Harmony and more

'I think this is our 22nd Jingle Ball,' says Elvis. 'I remember the first Jingle Ball, we had it at Roseland I believe, and we had to beg people to come to it. It was a mess. Now, tickets sell out in three minutes! It's crazy!'

On the night, Elvis plays not one, but three roles. In addition to interviewing the stars for Z100, he is also recording clips for the Today show to be broadcast during Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda's segment and intermittently has to run out to the stage to address the throngs of pop fans alongside fellow host Ryan Seacrest.

Things are hectic but running smoothly from the start, with the ladies of Fifth harmony, singer/rapper Jake Miller and UK pop starlet Ellie Goulding all stopping into the backstage gift lounge for pre-gig interviews. 

The room is lined with stalls set up by brands giving away plenty of goodies to guests, from hair styling tools to duffel bags packed to bursting with bars of Twix and Snickers chocolate. 

Each star is shuffled in with their full entourage who stand side stage with all eyes on the clocks, keeping every interaction between host and guest meticulously timed, yet somehow still coming off as relaxed and natural - the mark of one seriously well-oiled broadcast machine. 

After hosting a quick chat with DNCE - in which Joe Jonas elicits a few laughs by getting intimate with a cardboard cut-out of Kathie Lee's face - Elvis rushes through the bustling backstage area to meet Ryan and kick off the concert.

On offer: In the gift lounge backstage, guests such as Grace VanderWaal (pictured), were able to pick up goodies including duffel bags stuffed with chocolate bars

Host with the most: Elvis recorded interviews with stars for both Z100 and the Today show in addition to addressing the crowd at Madison Square Garden

Lining them up: Elvis chats with One Direction-gone-solo star Naill Horan backstage

Mixing it up: Charlie Puth poses with Camila Cabello, Normani Kordei, Ally Brooke, Lauren Jauregui of Fifth Harmony and Hailee Steinfeld 

But then, just before he hits the stage, Elvis pops a button off of his burgundy velvet suit jacket, prompting a scramble among producers backstage.

'I had a wardrobe malfunction! My left breast fell out!' jokes Elvis. 'Luckily backstage they have a seamstress - or seamster perhaps - ready to go at all times. If you pop a button they're ready to help you out, if your zipper falls off, they've got a fresh one! It's one of the magic things that happen at Jingle Ball.'

The jacket is rushed off for emergency surgery, leaving some behind-the-scenes workers shuffling nervously in wait for its return, which eventually happens about 20 seconds before Elvis and Ryan take to the stage to thousands of screams.

When asked if the snafu ranks among the more stressful moments he's encountered in his career hosting the concert series, Elvis reveals that Jingle Ball's debut had a moment bad enough to leave him unflappable to anything that has happened since.

'The very first Jingle Ball, Billy Idol was our headliner and he drank so much champagne that he threw up over the front row of the audience,' he says. 'I kid you not! After that... no one has thrown up. And it's been great ever since!'

Elvis recently had the opportunity to retell the story to Billy himself, but the White Wedding singer didn't remember it.  'I told him that it's probably best that he didn't,' laughs Elvis.

Backstage fun: Rita Ora dances away as she enjoys the Jingle Ball show

Hugs: The 52-year-old host helped Hailee celebrate her birthday backstage at the concert

Star power: Chris Rock (pictured left with daughter Zara Savannah) and Damian Lewis (right) were also on hand with their children to check out the night's performances

After making the announcements, it's back to the broadcast area to shuffle through another series of star interviews as Fifth Harmony kicks off the live show. 

On his way, Elvis bumps into star after star looking to heap praise on him, from South American pop band Los 5, who Elvis recently gave a boost on his show, to TV's Dr. Oz, who Elvis credits with 'changing my life' after he convinced him two years earlier to undergo gastric bypass surgery.

'You are looking perfect!' says the doctor, giving his friend a big hug.

Actors Damian Lewis, Hugh Jackman and Chris Rock are also spotted milling about with pop stars, having brought along their children to enjoy the concert.

As soon as the show has actually begun, proceedings backstage seem to simply fly by. Headliner Justin Bieber arrives with his entourage, headphones on and eyes forward, having made it clear he would not be participating in any press activities. He later sweeps out of the building moments after stepping offstage, his set having been dominated by a wall of teen screams.

Elvis does his final interview with Ariana Grande immediately after her performance. Then it's announced: 'That's a wrap!' 

Kicking it off: The ladies of Fifth Harmony opened up the concert after Elvis and Ryan's intro

In support: Elvis' friend Dr Oz came along with his son, bumping into the host between interviews to compliment him on his look

Smash grab: Justin Bieber headlined the show and left the building quickly after stepping offstage

'We have been doing so many of these Jingle Balls that we know what to expect - or rather we know to expect the unexpected - when we arrive at the Garden or wherever,' says Elvis. 

'We know there are a lot of interviews, a lot of energy, you have to go fast and get it down. But before you know it, it's over! And you're left with this weird feeling like "Is it over? Really? I want more!" You become addicted to the energy. I already can't wait until next year.'  

As for how this year has stacked up against the Jingle Balls gone by, Elvis declares 2016 to be 'the best one yet!' adding that they just seem to get better every year.

It begs the question: 'Then what is the thing that could make Jingle Ball 2017 the best of all?'

'You know what? We have no way of predicting what next year's Jingle Ball will be, because Jingle Ball is really about the year in music,' answers Elvis. 'This was about the biggest headliners of 2016. 

'So we don't know who the biggest headliners of 2017 are, it's a big mystery. We may have some people here next year who we don't even know exist right now. That's the magic of it!'  

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