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Virgin Voyages Releases Brilliant Lady “Don’t Stop Me Now” Choir Video

Virgin Voyages has shared the full “Don’t Stop Me Now” friends & family choir video from Brilliant Lady’s New York sail-in past the Statue of Liberty.

Singers and musicians perform on a Virgin Voyages cruise ship deck with cheering crowd
Virgin Voyages Releases Brilliant Lady "Don't Stop Me Now" Choir Video © Photo by Bold Man Media

Virgin Voyages Shares Full “Don’t Stop Me Now” Choir Performance from Brilliant Lady’s New York Sail-In

Virgin Voyages has released the full video of Brilliant Lady’s spectacular sail-in to New York City, featuring a mass choir performance of Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now.” The moment, filmed during the Friends & Family voyage, brought together sailors, crew, and Virgin leaders in a celebration of energy and creativity that perfectly captured the brand’s spirit.

A Statue of Liberty Moment to Remember

Originally recorded on September 2, Brilliant Lady circled the Statue of Liberty as thousands gathered on deck to sing along. Sir Richard Branson also sang with Australian conductor Astrid Jorgensen from Pub Choir led the performance. Abi the Hostess added her signature flair, helping turn the crowd into a sea of voices that echoed across New York Harbor.

The event marked Brilliant Lady’s first U.S. arrival ahead of her MerMaiden voyage, following a private Friends & Family sailing from Portsmouth to New York. The new video captures the full performance, showing the decks alive with sound, color, and movement, before Branson and Virgin Voyages CEO Nirmal Saverimuttu jumped into the pool to wrap up the celebrations.

Watch the Full Performance

More Pictures from the Performance

Crowd on a Virgin Voyages cruise ship deck celebrating, central woman in red dress shouting and posing
Performers from Up with a Twist and Red Hot joined in the fun© Photo by Bold Man Media
Guests jump into the pool on a Virgin Voyages cruise ship as the crowd cheers
Sir Richard Branson and CEO Nirmal Saverimuttu jump in Brilliant Lady's larger pool!© Photo by Bold Man Media
Large crowd in a cruise ship theater watching a live performance on a Virgin Voyages cruise ship
Behind the scenes of the rehearsal for the choir© Photo by Bold Man Media
People posing for a selfie on a Virgin Voyages ship with the Statue of Liberty in the background
Sailors took photos as Brilliant Lady sailed past the Statue of Liberty© Photo by Bold Man Media
Female singer performing on a shipboard stage with backup singers
Abi the Hostess, Astrid (Pub Choir), Sir Richard Branson and Nirmal Saverimuttu© Photo by Bold Man Media
Group of people standing and watching a show in a red-lit venue, some holding drinks
Don't Stop Me Now rehearsals with sailors and crew© Photo by Bold Man Media

Drag queen performs on a cruise ship deck with the Statue of Liberty in the background
Dixie Krystals the Diva welcomes Brilliant Lady to New York© Photo by Bold Man Media
Singer with microphone performs on a Virgin Voyages cruise ship deck with musicians and audience
Sir Richard Branson and pub choir leader Astrid lead the thousands of crew and sailors© Photo by Bold Man Media
Group of passengers on a Virgin Voyages cruise ship deck with the Statue of Liberty in the distance
Sailors celebrated the fun dressed in a fashion friendly shade of red© Photo by Bold Man Media
Two men hug in a pool on a Virgin Voyages cruise ship
Sir Richard Branson and CEO Nirmal Saverimuttu share a moment in the pool© Photo by Bold Man Media

More from Brilliant Lady’s New York Debut

Catch up on our September coverage, including behind-the-scenes looks and launch highlights:

About the author

Co-Founder and Editor. Blending technical know how from the iOS world with a love for Virgin Voyages with over 20 sailings around the world.


3 Comments

  1. Cala Brandt says:

    I feel so honored to have been there and able to participate! I am in the choir rehearsal shot, lower left, red shirt and you can see my dragonfly bag😬

  2. Susan Lock says:

    What a fabulous video! You can actually feel the energy. I watched with a smile n my face. Mr Branson seems a very nice man.

  3. Anna Steinberg says:

    That is awesome! I love how Virgin doesn’t take itself too seriously, and allows for the joy in that video!

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