Jeannie Mai Is Putting Herself 'Front Row' in 2024: 'I Need to Really Revisit What Jeannie Needs' (Exclusive)

This year, Mai will take on co-hosting duties for Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve' from Los Angeles

Jeannie Mai has a fresh perspective just in time for a new year.

In light of her new gig as co-host for Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest in Los Angeles, Mai opened up about how she's prepping for her big night — and detailed her intentions for 2024.

"I think we as women specifically don't hear it enough that there is no greater love in your life, even as a mom, that you will ever get from anybody other than yourself. That is the first love of your life, and that will be the last love of your life," Mai, 44, tells PEOPLE.

She continues, "As women, we look to our partners, we look to our parents, we look to our jobs, way more than we do ourselves, me included. And this year, I am putting myself front row."

Related: Jeannie Mai on Finding Her 'Superpower' amid Split from Jeezy: 'I've Learned to Teach Myself Healthy Love' (Exclusive)

Mai — who is in the middle of legal proceedings for a divorce from ex Jeezy — says that putting herself first will mean going back to the "basics" like eating on time and making rest a priority.

"I'm really having a very humbling moment right now, where I need to really revisit what Jeannie needs. And that is a new beginning for me," she says.

On her New Year's Eve co-hosting gig, Mai says this is her "made-it moment."

"My family and I watched Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve every single year when I was a little girl, because it was the root of the party. It was what we looked forward to, what we dressed up for. Everybody gathered around this little TV," she recalls.

"And now, to be here on screen, my mom actually thinks my career counts. Now, it matters. Now, she's proud. So this is a big moment for me," she adds. "It's also very telling of what America is all about. We go through so much in the year, and it's that one time we can all come together for the same reason."

In Los Angeles, a star-studded lineup of performers will take the stage including Aqua, Doechii, Ellie Goulding, Green Day, Janelle Monáe, Loud Luxury x Two Friends with Bebe Rexha, Ludacris, Nile Rodgers & CHIC, Paul Russell, Reneé Rapp with Coco Jones and Thirty Seconds to Mars.

Related: All the New Year's Eve Specials to Ring in 2024, Including Where to Watch Them

Ahead of the show, Mai knows she wants to make co-host Ryan Seacrest "proud" and she has a few pre-show rituals to get her through.

"I love to make the script my own. So even though we have phenomenal writers, I have to feel like these are things that I would say myself," she says. "Then No. 2 thing I would do is, this is really random, but I drink a half gallon of water every single morning."

"So if you see me taking so many breaks and running off the stage between Doechii and Green Day and all these bands, I'm actually going in the bathroom, because I just drink so much water," she explains. "It makes me feel more calm, and I know I'm not going to get a chance to drink it at all the rest of the day. And lashes, several of them."

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2024 will air live on ABC this Sunday starting at 8 p.m. ET and will take place in four different locations around the world — New York City, Los Angeles, Puerto Rico and South Korea — leading up to the countdown to midnight live from Times Square.

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.