On January 9, Sesame Street announced its guest line-up for its upcoming 55th season, which launches on January 16 via HBO Max. As part of the upcoming season’s curriculum, which will “focus on emotional well-being, helping children learn accessible strategies to comprehend and cope with big feelings through fun, lighthearted, relatable and engaging stories,” a slew of major music, film and TV stars and athletes have been enlisted to guest star, reports NME.

Among these stars are musicians SZA, Noah Kahan, Chris Stapleton and Samara Joy. As for the actors, Michael B. Jordan and Reneé Rapp will appear on the show. Queer Eye’s Jonathan Van Ness will also make an appearance, as will legendary tennis player Billie Jean King.

The season will kick off with Reneé Rapp on January 16, with Michael B. Jordan appearing on January 23 and Samara Joy on February 6. A month later (March 6), Noah Kahan will appear on an episode, followed by SZA on April 10. The special guests will return on July 24 with Chris Stapleton, followed by Jonathan Van Ness on August 21 and Billie Jean King on August 28.

SZA’s confirmation for a Sesame Street appearance comes after she earlier this month teased the possibility of releasing two albums of “peaceful children’s music” to complete her current contractual requirements.

The singer and rapper released Lana last month after almost a year of speculating about its release. Rather than a standalone album, it exists as a deluxe version of her 2022 LP SOS, her second studio album (though she did say in March that Lana was not a deluxe version of SOS).

SZA wrote: “To fulfill my last 2 album requirements I think I just wanna make peaceful children’s music n get outta here. Then go be a farmer n donate the produce to underserved communities.”

The singer also revealed on Christmas Day that she had parted ways with Terrence “Punch” Henderson, who she has worked with since 2011. Henderson, the co-president of Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE), had been heavily involved in the making of Lana.

Noah Kahan, the acclaimed singer-songwriter who has been making hearts throb across the world, has been prominently featured in the festival circuit this year, with appearances at Osheaga, Pilgrimage, Sea.Hear.Now and Soundside Music Festival. He was also featured on a James Bay single this year alongside The Lumineers.

Chris Stapleton has been making waves for years now, but 2024 was his year; with three nonconsecutive wins at this year’s ceremony, Stapleton is now a nineteen-time Country Music Award winner, tying with Brooks & Dunn for most wins ever. Stapleton also announced his continuation of his “All-American Road Show” tour for summer and fall 2025. Information about tickets can be found here.

Sesame Street’s newest season will be available to stream on HBO Max starting on January 16, 2025.

Photo Credit: Sharon Alagna