Hollywood: The Greatest Showman

Chapter 313: Shining on the Debut

In January, Los Angeles still felt no trace of winter's chill. The warm sea breeze gently swayed the tall palm trees under a cloudless sky, and the golden sunlight bathed the vibrant red carpet in a soft, dreamy glow, making the Hollywood Hilton Hotel look like a scene from a fairy tale.

Tonight, the 68th Golden Globe Awards were about to take place here, with the Oscars nominations soon to follow, marking the beginning of the awards season's final sprint.

Staff members were busy with the final checks of the live broadcast cameras on the red carpet; in the glass booth at the end of the carpet, the hosts were preparing for the show, while the staff at the left entrance opened the gates for the audience, who excitedly streamed in, their cheers filling the air.

Meanwhile, the reporters gradually took their positions, ready for the night's events.

Gavin Hunter glanced at the audience behind him, looking puzzled. "Is it just me, or does the crowd seem unusually loud tonight?"

This year's Golden Globe Awards had plenty of star power, with Brad Pitt, Johnny Depp, Robert Downey Jr., Tom Hanks, and Jake Gyllenhaal all making appearances. However, the absence of Leonardo DiCaprio, who had delivered an outstanding performance in *Inception*, along with Tom Cruise and Will Smith, made the red carpet feel somewhat dim in comparison.

"You want a reason? I can give you two," Cornell McGregor, following behind Gavin, said with a grin. Gavin looked surprised as Cornell raised two fingers. "Justin Bieber. Robert Pattinson."

Gavin gave Cornell an exasperated look, but Cornell just stared back confidently. Gavin had no rebuttal.

Both Justin and Robert were attending tonight's ceremony as presenters. Justin, the first artist to rise from the internet to mainstream success in the social media era, boasted an enormous fan base, while Robert had become a teen idol thanks to the *Twilight* series. The fanatical devotion of their followers was on par with the intense idol culture seen in Asia.

Though Hollywood has seen many superstars, and the rock bands of the '80s had some of the wildest fans, Western fanbases tend to be more rational overall. Fans of *Twilight* and *Beliebers* changed this, creating a new kind of frenzy that matched, if not surpassed, the intensity of Asian idol culture.

"Who are you covering tonight?" Gavin asked casually. He was a reporter for *American Weekly*, while Cornell worked for *Entertainment Weekly*. For them, the Golden Globes were even more important than the Oscars, as the attendees were more relaxed and focused on having fun.

"Natalie Portman," Cornell replied without hesitation. He had covered her from the beginning of the *Black Swan* drama and was now reaping the rewards. "And you?"

"Johnny Depp," Gavin shrugged. "But I've got my eyes on Renly Hall. I think tonight might be a breakout moment for the Gen Y actors."

Cornell nodded in agreement. "Jennifer Lawrence and him, those two newcomers are definitely worth watching."

As they bantered, the red carpet ceremony slowly began. The Golden Globes are unique in that they attract stars from television, film, and music, filling both the first and second halves of the red carpet with excitement.

The first to appear was Olivia Wilde, followed by strong contender for Best Newcomer, Jennifer Lawrence, and just minutes later, Jim Parsons made his way down the carpet. Before the reporters could catch their breath, Nicole Kidman and her husband Keith Urban triggered the night's first wave of excitement.

Suddenly, a loud and synchronized chant broke through the crowd's relatively calm demeanor: "Renly! Renly!"

The chanting came from a small group of about twenty people, but their enthusiasm and energy echoed across the red carpet.

Cornell turned to Gavin, puzzled, but before he could ask, Gavin had already raised his camera to capture the scene unfolding at the entrance.

The man in question had just appeared. He was tall, wearing a black polo shirt, buttoned neatly to the top, with no unnecessary embellishments. His perfectly tailored outfit highlighted his athletic build, while a light blue linen suit jacket added a casual touch, balancing the formal with a relaxed, effortless charm.

As he stepped onto the red carpet, his black belt, silver watch, and retro sunglasses added a touch of elegance, contrasting with his youthful, carefree vibe. His golden-brown, slightly curled hair was slicked back, giving him a composed and aristocratic air. The collision of his formal and casual styles created an irresistible charm, leaving onlookers breathless.