Diversity, culture, history, architecture, pizza!…these are just some of the things that make New York City the world’s most influential metropolis. We asked some notable New Yorkers what makes New York New York for them, and their answers are in the videos below.

What do you think makes New York New York? Share your thoughts with #WhatMakesNYNY.

What Makes New York New York? 

Seth Rudetsky & James Wesley

What makes New York New York? We asked, and Broadway producers Seth Rudetsky and James Wesley talk about what they love about the city they call home—from the convenience of transportation to the connections they've made—and how the city brings everyone together.

Tina Weymouth & Chris Frantz

New Wave icons Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz reflect on NYC life in the '80s.

Clint Ramos

What is it that makes New York... New York? Tony Award-winning Designer & Creative Producer Clint Ramos speaks about the energy of the city, and how New York encourages change.

Isaac Mizrahi

Isaac Mizrahi talks about skepticism and kindness—two of New Yorkers' strengths—and the surprising contrasts about city life he hopes never change.

Benny Benack III

Is New York the center of the jazz universe? To musician Benny Benack III, coming here was like going to the mecca of jazz music. He shares how only in New York can you go from playing all night to waking up and doing it all again—any day of the week.

Roz Chast

What is it that makes New York... New York? "This is a place for me." Cartoonist Roz Chast speaks about the density of visual detail in NYC that makes her happy.

Peter Hermann

What is it that makes New York... New York? We asked, and actor Peter Hermann shared what it is that he loves about the city he calls home.

Molly Bernard

From Broadway to break-ups, actress Molly Bernard, who plays Lauren Heller on TVLand's Younger, shared some uniquely New York experiences with us.

Miriam Shor

Miriam Shor shares how the Lower East Side's Rock 'n Roll vibe and iconic figures like Patti Smith, Lou Reed, and Jean-Michel Basquiat inspired her, and how she's made it her home for nearly 20 years.

Marcus Samuelsson

"Diversity, color, funk, attitude...New York has all of that. " Our neighbor and celebrated chef Marcus Samuelsson, co-owner of the restaurant Red Rooster, shared what he loves about the city he calls home.

Sutton Foster

Actress Sutton Foster discusses "colorful, wonderful" New York City and why she's decided to raise her kids here.

Terrence McNally

We asked, and American's playwright, Terrence McNally, shared what it is that he loves about the city he calls home.

We are saddened to hear about Terrence McNally's passing. We were honored to speak with him about what he loves about NYC, as part of our What Makes NY NY series.

Yannick Lebrun

Yannick Lebrun, dancer for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, shares what he loves about New York.

Rachael McLaren

We asked, and Rachael McLaren, a dancer for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, shared what it is that she loves about the city she calls home.

Brian Stokes Mitchell

We asked actor, composer, and vocalist Brian Stokes Mitchell shared what it is that he loves about the city he calls home.

HAMILTON's Anthony Lee Medina

Anthony Lee Medina, who plays John Laurens & Philip Hamilton in Broadway's HAMILTON, tells us what he loves about New York.