Hollywood: The Greatest Showman

Chapter 315: Overbearing

A small circle of about thirteen or fourteen reporters stood around, completely silent, all eyes on Cornell as he relentlessly cornered Renly, forcing him into a tight spot. For a newcomer like Renly, this kind of aggressive questioning was indeed overwhelming.

It wasn't just these reporters who sensed the tension; other nearby journalists picked up on the drama too. With sharp news instincts, they turned their attention to Renly—Renly Hall, one of tonight's key focal points.

On one hand, Renly's double Golden Globe nominations put him alongside Johnny Depp, symbolizing the rise of the Y-generation actors. On the other hand, his name was entangled in a scandal involving Natalie, and everyone was curious whether the rumors circulating from Toronto were part of a scheme crafted by her.

The latter, in particular, was something reporters found hard to resist. If it were proven that the rumors were Natalie's doing, it would suggest she deliberately concealed her relationship with Benjamin, adding credibility to Sarah's accusations. This could significantly alter the course of the awards season, especially with the Oscar nominations around the corner, potentially reshuffling the Best Actress competition.

Renly was a complete novice—this was his first Golden Globe appearance, and he was only twenty-one. This meant inexperience, vulnerability, and inevitable mistakes. Even though Fox Searchlight was backing him and the 'Black Swan' team had made their agreements, it seemed unlikely he could withstand the onslaught from the press.

In other words, Renly was the perfect target.

It wasn't just the reporters; competitors of Fox Searchlight, like Focus Features and The Weinstein Company, also saw this as an opportunity. Both companies were in prime positions in the Best Actress race and wouldn't miss a chance to deal a critical blow to their rival.

Focus Features, in particular, was having a stellar awards season run with 'The Kids Are All Right'. Though the film's bourgeois subject matter limited its chances for Best Picture, Focus had set its sights on Best Actress and Best Original Screenplay.

'The Kids Are All Right' featured two strong female leads: Annette Bening and Julianne Moore, both highly respected veterans. Bening, with three Oscar nominations under her belt, had lost twice to Hilary Swank, while Moore had four nominations, always just shy of victory.

If Natalie were knocked out of the race, Focus would have a clear shot at pushing either of its leading actresses to the forefront.

No one had forgotten that 'Buried', Renly's breakout film, was distributed by Focus Features. If they gave the story a little nudge, who knew how far things might spiral? Everyone was on edge, waiting to see how Renly would respond.

The complexity of the awards season was on full display here, with every move holding the potential to shift the entire dynamic.

Within moments, all eyes were on Renly. The surrounding reporters put down their other tasks and began gathering around him. The small circle of journalists swelled, like a cotton candy cloud growing larger, and soon the scene seemed to be spiraling out of control.

Renly looked at the bustling crowd in front of him, at Cornell's aggressive demeanor, and instead of feeling flustered, he found it amusing.

This was the Golden Globes, after all—known for its fun, its focus on entertainment, and its light-hearted atmosphere. The questions here were never supposed to be too intense; after all, this was Hollywood's annual party, where celebration and joy were the themes. But now, these reporters, with their hunger and desperation, had turned the Golden Globes into something that resembled a media ambush.

Wasn't this... amusing?

"I'm guessing you weren't too careful washing your hair this morning," Renly replied with a grin. "Because your brain seems to have gotten waterlogged." He kept smiling as if discussing a lighthearted subject. "I've already answered your question: you've asked the wrong person." His tone remained relaxed. "Natalie and I are just friends. If anyone spotted me in 'Black Swan', do let me know—I'd love to send the photos to Fox Searchlight and request my cameo fee."

Though Renly and Natalie didn't get along, he had already responded to the rumors back in Toronto, and as far as he was concerned, the matter was over. He didn't enjoy discussing gossip about others, nor did he like people discussing his own. A person should have principles.

His response was both direct and evasive at the same time. He addressed the question but didn't truly say much, throwing in a bit of sharp humor while doing so. His wit and ease brought a smile to everyone's face.

Was this really a newcomer?

The reporters were momentarily stunned. It wasn't that Renly's answer was flawless, but rather they hadn't expected such a quick and sharp counterattack from him. They were caught completely off guard, leaving a brief moment of silence.

Gavin struggled to suppress his laughter, enjoying the rare sight of journalists being dumbfounded for even half a second.

Bradley Adams from 'The New York Times' wasn't surprised at all. He had witnessed this young man's poise and composure at the 'The Pacific' premiere, where Renly showed the kind of confidence and maturity that belied his status as a rookie. Seizing the moment, Bradley threw in his question, "Renly, congratulations on your two acting nominations. There are four Y-generation actors competing for Best Actor in a Drama this year. What's your take on that?"

"Is Leonardo on vacation?" Renly's unexpected response left everyone puzzled. Their brains needed a moment to catch up, and their first reaction was not to understand the joke.

Bradley was the first to catch on: since 2002, every even year had seen Leonardo DiCaprio release films in pursuit of an Oscar, from 'Catch Me If You Can' and 'Gangs of New York' in 2002 to 'The Aviator' in 2004, 'The Departed' and 'Blood Diamond' in 2006, and 'Revolutionary Road' and 'Body of Lies' in 2008.

All of America knew that Leo was chasing his Oscar dreams with dedication, sending love letters to the Academy with every performance. The year 2010 was no exception, with 'Inception' and 'Shutter Island' being his hopeful entries. But the Academy wasn't moved this time, and Leo didn't get a nomination—not at the Golden Globes, at least.

Renly had just made a playful dig at Leonardo's quest for the Oscar.

Bradley couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Gavin quickly caught on and flashed a wide grin, seizing the opportunity to ask, "Aside from Colin Firth, which of the other nominees do you think stands the best chance?"

"Ryan," Renly answered without hesitation.

It wasn't about personal relationships—among Jesse Eisenberg, James Franco, and Ryan Gosling, Renly simply preferred Ryan's acting style, particularly in films like 'Crazy, Stupid, Love' and 'The Nice Guys', where his understated, vintage performances always had a delicate touch.

"And what about James Franco?" Cornell asked, having finally regained his footing after two questions. He pressed on, undeterred. Aside from the Natalie scandal, the rivalry between Renly and James—'Buried' versus '127 Hours'—was one of the season's hottest topics.

So far, '127 Hours' had the edge in overall quality, with potential Oscar nods for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay, while 'Buried' had gained the upper hand in the Best Actor race, with Renly currently leading over Franco.

Cornell's question was brief but pointed.

Renly didn't answer immediately but smiled, his grin spreading to his eyes. The reporters couldn't quite understand his reaction. "Wasn't I speaking English? Or did I accidentally show off my French and Chinese just now?" Renly teased. "I said I support Ryan."

Cornell was once again mocked, biting his lip in frustration, clearly displeased. He pressed on, "So, are you saying you'd pick Ryan over James?"

"Yes," Renly replied smoothly, without any sarcasm this time. His directness took the reporters by surprise. His eyes twinkled with amusement as he continued, "Back in Toronto, Ryan gave me some candy. Now, I guess we're even."

As Renly spoke, he made a slicing gesture, signaling to Ryan: 'We're square now.'

With a simple hand motion and a few words, Renly skillfully shifted the conversation away from seriousness and back to the playful spirit of the red carpet. Of course, if any journalist wanted to twist his words, they could still make Renly take the blame. But this was the Golden Globes. With so many reporters present, any attempts to distort the truth wouldn't go unnoticed.

Suddenly, the sound of screams, shouts, and cheers erupted like a tidal wave. The deafening noise engulfed the entire scene, shaking the ground beneath the Hilton Hotel. More than half of the audience had risen to their feet, tears streaming down their faces as they cried out in wild excitement. It was a frenzy comparable to an apocalyptic scene, releasing the passion and energy of the red carpet in full force.

At that moment, even the Hilton Hotel itself seemed to tremble as everyone on the red carpet turned their attention toward the source of the commotion. Who had just arrived?