756-760

Chapter 756: Scrutinizing Gaze

This wasn’t Anson’s first time attending an awards ceremony, but the situation had subtly changed.

At the last Emmy Awards, Anson was a rising star, becoming famous overnight, a common occurrence in Hollywood. People were used to it and saw no reason to make a big deal about it since no one knew if they’d still see this young man six months later.

This time at the Golden Globes, Anson was a superstar. Two films in a year exploded in the market, making him an overnight sensation once again, but this time, his rise was more like a rocket. Everyone present could feel a sense of threat, and behind the envy and jealousy, they couldn't help but be wary and guarded.

Tonight, even more so—

Wearing a light blue suit, flamboyant and bold, Anson broke the usual norms of award ceremonies with an attitude that was both provocative and revolutionary.

Was he the center of attention?

Undoubtedly.

But it wasn’t just the attention. Behind those gazes lay a tangle of emotions:

They realized Anson was now their equal, if not surpassing them, rising to a higher stage of the pyramid. The young man they had once looked down upon now required them to look up.

More importantly, Anson was still young—only 20 years old. Most of his friends were relatively unknown Hollywood actors. While all the faces at the Golden Globes were familiar, none of them were his friends.

So.

After the buzz and shock of the red carpet, away from the cameras’ focus, before the banquet hall went live, in the brief pause, those critical, sharp, and scrutinizing glances surrounded Anson, forming a small vacuum that isolated him.

It was as if a stranger had crashed a party. If the host didn’t step up to greet him, the stranger would remain awkwardly out of place.

The atmosphere was slightly tense, with looks and body language conveying a “let’s see how great you really are” vibe.

This is the vanity fair.

It makes you wonder—did Leonardo DiCaprio go through the same treatment when he became famous overnight?

Of course, this wasn’t a universal reaction.

Undoubtedly, not everyone felt this way. Some people surely wanted to befriend Anson, and there were likely many hoping to ride his coattails.

But.

The key issue was that Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston had already made their positions clear, drawing a line. At this moment, in front of so many eyes, it would take some courage and boldness for someone to be the first to break the ice.

So.

Brad Pitt finally laid his eyes on Anson, looking down from on high.

The Hilton Hotel’s banquet hall still had its golden-age design, with a round stage at the front facing tiered seating—

Not like a lecture hall, but with the seating divided into three levels. The lowest was a round-table setup, like a traditional Chinese New Year banquet, where you could almost imagine peanuts and sunflower seeds being served.

The middle level had café-style booths, with small round tables seating three or four people, fostering intimate conversations.

The topmost level was the theater-style seating, where the audience sat in rows, taking in the view below.

The whole atmosphere felt less like an awards ceremony and more like a small banquet where film crews and friends could sit together closely.

A different kind of social event.

At this moment, Brad was standing on the second tier, chatting with a group of people. At the same time, his arms crossed over his chest, he glanced at Anson through the crowd. His elevated posture conveyed a sense of provocation, disdain, and mockery, as if he were waiting for the show to begin, silently watching Anson.

It felt like a cat playing with a mouse.

This was the first time.

Even though Anson and Brad weren’t friends and had no intention of becoming friends—after all, their relationship had started on the wrong foot—it wasn’t like they were enemies either.

Especially since Anson’s life hardly intersected with that of Jennifer and Brad. They had been living their separate lives, and the misunderstandings of the past should’ve blown over by now.

Until today.

Old grudges and new tensions unexpectedly built up and exploded all at once.

It was an accident—

One that neither Edgar nor Eve could have foreseen.

They lacked experience, sure, but that was only part of the issue. There was no need to blame their inexperience because, in the past five years, only Leonardo had faced a similar situation in Hollywood. No matter how much you prepare, things can still change in an instant.

They had been so focused on hoping Anson would make a splash at the Golden Globes that they didn’t anticipate the backlash and attacks from his peers. Brad was just riding the wave, and the situation unfolded naturally.

So what should Anson do?

Panic?

Actually... no.

In his past life, he had walked into many such traps unprepared. He could still remember the day he got fired from the TV station.

He had gone to work like any regular day, just another day as an ordinary employee, only to step into a trap. Back then, everyone at the company treated him like a plague, and the stares and expressions he received were so piercing and suffocating, it felt like they were choking the air out of him.

Now that was truly walking through fire and braving the storm.

In comparison, this group of scheming, backstabbing cowards felt like child's play. They couldn’t even hurt a hair on his head.

He stood firm—

No fear, no hesitation, no retreat. Not even a hint of nervousness.

Calmly, he scanned the room, treating those wary and guarded glances as though they were admiring looks, taking them all in and surveying the scene.

So far, there was no sign of Tom Hanks or Steven Spielberg, which meant waiting for someone else to break the ice seemed unlikely. If Anson were to make the first move, it could place the other person in the spotlight and make them a target. It was a no-win situation.

Worst of all, this was Anson’s first Golden Globes ceremony. He didn’t even know where to sit, so even if he wanted to head to his seat, he wouldn’t know where to go.

But whatever came, he’d handle it.

Anson had already started to move, with no worries at all, ready to confront Brad directly—

After all, he had nothing to hide.

However.

Just as he took his first step, a figure emerged from the crowd, breaking the deadlock, and under everyone’s gaze, walked straight toward Anson.

“Hey, Anson.”

With warmth and cheer, they opened their arms and gave Anson a hug.

“God, you look amazing tonight. All the ladies here are jealous of me because I did what they all wanted to but were too shy to do.”

She even squeezed Anson’s arm.

She thought Anson would be shy. After all, he was just a 20-year-old boy, usually reserved in front of older women. But when she looked into his clear eyes, with a smile in his pupils, it made her feel nervous instead.

She sighed softly and shook her head, “As Jack said, you’re no fun—you’re not scared of pranks at all.”

*Chapter 757: Circus Performance*

The stalemate was broken.

Everyone knew that at an event like the Golden Globes, completely isolating Anson was impossible. But keeping a certain distance, giving this young superstar a little lesson in the ways of the industry, was definitely achievable.

More importantly, who breaks the stalemate first, who extends the olive branch first—this matters.

It could be someone like Anson, an outsider, or an industry heavyweight like Steven Spielberg. The impact would be entirely different.

If it were the latter, Brad’s efforts to create a certain atmosphere might crumble instantly. Forget about isolating Anson—the crowd might even flock to him just because of Steven’s gesture.

But—

Steven wasn’t in the room; he had probably gone to the restroom.

So, who stepped forward?

Amidst the quiet shuffling of feet and the tense, heated atmosphere, all eyes turned.

It was an entirely unexpected figure.

Maggie Gyllenhaal.

Standing in front of Anson was Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jake Gyllenhaal’s older sister and also an actress.

Coming from a Hollywood acting family, Maggie and Jake weren’t just second-generation stars; they also came from wealth. They grew up pampered, carrying the confidence of the privileged, completely indifferent to those staring at them.

Hollywood, without a doubt, is one of the representations of the American Dream.

Even now, Hollywood continues to tell stories of overnight success, where nobodies become somebodies. For the average person, it remains a fast track to upward mobility.

For this reason, countless people flock to Los Angeles, year after year, becoming the ever-widening base of the entertainment industry.

After thirty or fifty years of accumulation, Hollywood has also formed its own "nobility"—families where the parents laid the groundwork, giving their children a springboard into the industry.

Now, Hollywood is home to several acting dynasties, some going back three or four generations, spreading their influence across different areas.

The Gyllenhaal family may not be as extensive as the Coppolas, but their three decades in Hollywood have allowed them to build a robust network, extending deeply into various layers of the industry.

Maggie Gyllenhaal noticed the subtle shift in the atmosphere of the ballroom—

She found it childish and dull.

Actually, Maggie had never met Anson before. Jake hadn’t asked her to look after him, and she hadn’t expected herself to step forward to help.

But...

Maggie knew Anson was friends with Jake, and that was enough for her.

As for all those gazes—those surprised, curious, shocked, devouring stares?

Ha, she didn’t care.

"...Turns out, Jake was right. You’re not afraid of pranks at all—no fun."

Maggie didn’t hide her disappointment.

A faint smile crept onto Anson’s face.

"Seems like Jake is an honest guy, willing to tell his sister the truth."

Maggie made an “oh” sound, immediately picking up on the teasing in Anson’s words: not all brothers are willing to be honest with their sisters, so there’s a hidden story here?

"Did Jake tell you to be careful—I might be a bad guy?"

Maggie: ?

What was this even about?

Maggie couldn’t make sense of it; her brain wasn’t moving fast enough. Before she could react, Anson made his move.

Stepping forward slightly, maintaining a waltz posture, his right hand politely rested on Maggie’s waist, and without a signal, he twirled her around.

Maggie found herself spinning in place, a full 360 degrees, her white Chanel evening dress swirling gracefully. Anson supported her waist with his right hand, slowly, gently lowering her into a dip.

It wasn’t a waltz—it was a tango.

Maggie played along, extending her arms to complete the dramatic pose.

Finally, Anson helped Maggie stand back up, holding her single-handedly, spinning her once, twice, three times before stopping abruptly—

Pose held.

The air grew quiet, but after a brief stunned pause, the room erupted in applause.

Was this scene a bit... over the top? Dramatic? Performative?

The answer was yes, but this was the Golden Globes—a performance stage by nature. The goal was this kind of exaggerated drama.

As actors, sometimes a little theatricality is exactly what’s needed.

And a thick skin.

It wasn’t just applause; there were whistles and cheers. The ballroom was buzzing with excitement.

The awards ceremony had instantly shifted into party mode. Any tension or awkwardness from earlier had evaporated completely.

Brad: ...

To be honest, Brad was panicking. He hadn’t expected Anson to break down the barriers in such a way—no arrogance or conceit, but rather, by lowering himself to entertain the crowd like a clown, turning the image of a burden into a delightful surprise. The envious glares from earlier had vanished entirely.

For a moment, Brad didn’t know how to react.

Amidst the lively commotion, Maggie finally realized—

She had been played!

She had meant to prank Anson, but instead, she had fallen for his prank.

Realizing this, her smile widened, and she gently patted Anson’s chest.

"Anson, are you flirting with me now? Oh, I’m sorry—you’re not my type."

Her eyes sparkled mischievously as she launched her counterattack.

Maggie thought Anson would be flustered, but instead, he moved closer, leaning down slightly to whisper in her ear.

"I know. Jake’s sister—you’re into guys like Peter, right?"

Maggie: ... "What?"

She had let her guard down and revealed her own surprise.

Anson continued, "I mean, guys like Peter Sarsgaard."

Maggie froze completely, casting a quick, suspicious glance at Anson before quickly catching on. "Who? I don’t know what you’re talking about."

Anson’s smile widened slightly. "Oh, so it’s still a secret, huh? Don’t worry—your secret’s safe with me. Just like how I’ve never mentioned who Jake’s been dating."

Where there’s a will, there’s a way.

Now Maggie understood what Jake had meant—Anson wasn’t so simple.

Originally, Maggie had thought of Anson as just a young kid, his pranks barely at college level. But now, she found herself flustered and on the defensive, accidentally revealing her own secret.

Even though Maggie refused to admit it, Anson’s words and expression were far too confident. He knew what he was talking about.

The problem was, even Jake didn’t know about this...

Maggie narrowed her eyes. "How do you know?"

Anson shrugged lightly. "A guess. But now, it’s confirmed."

Maggie: ... Damn, she had been outwitted by this little guy!

*Chapter 758: Dancing with the Devil*

Maggie Gyllenhaal, an actress, is known for her roles in films such as Crazy Heart, The Dark Knight, The Deuce, and many more, including the Charlie Kaufman-written film Confessions of a Dangerous Mind.

Peter Sarsgaard, also an actor, is recognized for his work in Blue Jasmine, Jackie, An Education, Orphan, among others. He has been a consistent figure in independent films, receiving critical acclaim throughout his career.

In Hollywood, with its over 400,000 actors, there is always a group of talented performers who, despite their skills, have never won major awards—perhaps because awards require a bit of luck and timing. Maggie and Peter are two such actors.

In his past life, Anson remembered that the two actors were very low-key. After dating for many years, they got married in 2009. By the time of the timeline Anson was familiar with, they still had a happy and stable marriage. They had been together for over 20 years, which is quite remarkable in Hollywood, where the divorce rate is unusually high.

However, because they were so private, Anson never knew much about their relationship and wasn’t sure exactly when they had started dating.

Now, Anson wasn’t entirely sure if he was “spoiling” something that was supposed to happen, just like in Back to the Future.

The only evidence was that when Maggie approached Anson to say hello, he felt a sharp gaze. At first, he didn’t pay much attention since there were so many intense and heated stares around him. One more wouldn’t make a difference; it was easy to overlook in the crowd.

However, that gaze persisted, and when the tango ended, it reached its peak. The heat of the stare was so intense it felt like it could scorch Anson’s skin.

Following the direction of the stare, Anson saw Peter, trying to act calm but clearly anxious, continuously downing champagne without realizing it. His eyes kept darting toward them.

So, Anson made a bold guess.

And it turned out to be correct.

Maggie: "..."

Although Maggie wanted to curse out loud, she didn’t have the energy. Her mind was preoccupied with something else entirely.

Maggie never expected to give herself away in front of a “kid.” It must have been her eyes after the tango that betrayed her.

Maggie and Peter had just started dating a few months ago, and they were being cautious, not rushing to define their relationship—dating was just dating; it didn’t mean they were officially a couple.

But Maggie genuinely liked Peter. She hoped to quietly nurture the relationship, as maintaining a stable connection in Hollywood was incredibly rare and fragile. A single misstep could end it all.

She didn’t want that outcome. Who knows? Maybe one day, she’d fall in love with Peter?

Feeling annoyed and a bit upset, Maggie tilted her chin up and glared at Anson.

Anson could feel her frustration—he couldn’t help but laugh.

He quickly realized it wasn’t the time to joke, so he stifled his smile and made a subtle gesture to indicate he’d keep her secret.

Looking all innocent.

Maggie couldn’t hold back and smiled. When she realized she had broken her serious facade, she tried to regain her composure, but she failed.

"Jack never told me he made friends with the devil."

Anson smiled, "Oh, we’re friends? I didn’t even know that."

“Haha.” Maggie couldn’t hold back. “Haha.” She paused. “You’re cuter than Jack.”

To Maggie, Anson was just a friend of her brother—just like him.

At that moment, a voice came from behind, "What’s going on here?"

They turned to see Steven Spielberg, impeccably dressed, walking toward them as if he had discovered something new at the lively banquet.

"This is the loudest I remember it being before an awards ceremony."

Maggie was about to explain when Anson spoke, "Thank you."

Maggie was puzzled.

Anson had noticed the tense situation, and Maggie stepping in had helped smooth things over.

Without her, Anson could have handled it himself, but it wouldn’t have been as easy.

Before Maggie could respond, Anson approached Spielberg. "I just entertained everyone a bit. I might be the first person to tap dance offstage for fun since Shirley Temple."

One second, two seconds—

Laughter erupted.

Anson didn’t tattle to Spielberg. Instead, he casually mentioned the dance, instantly lightening the atmosphere.

Since Anson chose not to make a scene, the other guests naturally followed his lead, raising their glasses to him.

The room became lively again.

In fact, before the awards ceremony ended, Spielberg already knew what had happened. He paused for a moment and then chuckled, impressed.

"He’s a good kid."

If Anson had made things awkward, whether by complaining to Spielberg or using Spielberg’s influence, it would have been foolish.

It would have put Spielberg in an uncomfortable position. Should he get angry? At whom? Should he back Anson? How should he support him?

Sure, Anson could have vented his frustration, but the aftermath wouldn’t have been pleasant, and Spielberg and Anson’s relationship might have grown distant.

But Anson didn’t do that.

Not only did he not rush to save face, but he also took the initiative to resolve the conflict, showing his generosity and maturity. The entire situation shifted.

As a result, Spielberg didn’t have to deal with an awkward dilemma, and the other guests didn’t have to choose sides. The tension dissolved effortlessly.

After all, it was an awards ceremony.

After the event, Anson would likely become the focus of admiration.

Likewise, Spielberg couldn’t help but appreciate Anson and was grateful he hadn’t been put in a tough spot.

“Heh.”

Thinking about it, Spielberg couldn’t help but smile.

“Maybe Hollywood really has a new star.”

Spielberg wasn’t the only one thinking that.

When Spielberg arrived, the guests realized the drama should come to an end. No one dared make a scene in front of the lead actor in a Spielberg film, and the atmosphere lightened up.

Soon, more guests broke the tension and approached Anson.

"Sorry, I hope I’m not interrupting anything."

Maggie was still marveling at the difference between Jack and Anson. Even though they were around the same age, Jack was still a bit naive, while Anson was already navigating social situations with ease.

It took her a second to notice Uma Thurman in her elegant yellow gown.

The Pulp Fiction star naturally exuded a cool, Nordic charm with her sharp, distinctive features that gave her a bold and commanding presence, standing out from the crowd.

Just like now—

With her entrance, all eyes were on her.

*Chapter 759: The Drunken Man's Intent*

Uma Thurman, with her unique charm, always stands out among Hollywood's crowd of beautiful faces, capturing attention effortlessly.

But, Uma?

What was she doing here?

Maggie was baffled. She had no connection with Uma; Anson was even more confused, as he had never crossed paths with Uma at any event.

Was it because of Steven?

No, it wasn’t.

Uma had purposely approached them only after Steven had walked away. Besides, if Uma wanted to be part of Steven's projects, her agent would have found a way without her having to step in personally.

Anson spoke up.

"The whole point of an awards ceremony is to constantly interrupt and be interrupted, isn’t it? If someone doesn’t want to be interrupted, I’m sure they could find a way."

With that, Anson quietly looked up at the sky.

Maggie and Uma instinctively looked up too, immediately understanding—

This was the Hollywood Hilton Hotel, with rooms all over the upper floors. Sneaking out of the awards ceremony to book a room for some fun was probably not a rare occurrence, whether for secret trysts or discreet meetings.

A smile crept up on their faces.

Maggie and Uma exchanged a glance, both showing a knowing expression. But when they looked at Anson, they quickly composed themselves.

Uma turned to Anson. "I just wanted to say, God, I really, really, really like your style. Not just tonight, but consistently over time. I wanted to ask, where do you usually shop? I'm trying to save Ethan's wardrobe."

Ethan Hawke, whom Uma married in 1997, had just welcomed their second child early last year.

As an indie film icon, Ethan was one of Hollywood’s most handsome actors, with his rugged yet rebellious look capturing the hearts of many.

Among his filmography, the "Before Sunrise" trilogy stands out, along with "Dead Poets Society," "Boyhood," "The Purge," and "Training Day," which cemented his place in Hollywood.

In his younger days, his leather jacket and shirt combo was a striking fashion statement, but over time, his style grew increasingly sloppy and chaotic.

No wonder Uma was concerned—

After all, the seven-year itch seemed just around the corner.

However, Anson wasn’t about to play marriage counselor. "Are you sure? I think Ethan has his own style."

"The dumpster style? God, I've always suspected he picks his clothes out of a trash pile," Uma retorted sharply.

Maggie added, "Aren’t all men like this? My brother Jake is the same."

Anson: ??? All men?

Noticing Anson's expression, Uma burst into laughter. "That's why you're our savior, showing that it's possible. Men aren't entirely hopeless."

Anson nodded slightly. "Shh, I don’t want to hurt anyone here."

Ha ha, hahaha.

Laughter ensued and couldn’t be stopped.

Maggie turned to Anson, finally remembering to ask a burning question. "I've always been curious. How did you come up with this outfit?"

Once again, all eyes were on Anson.

Actually, it wasn't entirely unexpected, as this was the whole point of the plan.

But what was surprising was the effect—it exceeded all expectations by far.

Uma was only the first.

As the red carpet continued, guests kept approaching Anson, intrigued by his outfit and style.

And most of them were women.

Amid the bustle and curiosity, the question that kept popping up was:

"Who designed this suit?"

They hadn’t caught Anson's answer on the red carpet, so they were now eager to hear it from him directly.

Hedi Slimane: Achoo.

What’s happening? Hedi looked around, wondering if someone was talking about him behind his back.

Achoo, achoo, achoo, achoo!

He kept sneezing, unable to stop.

Hedi was bewildered. What was going on today? Achoo! Wait, could it be a cold?

Achoo!

Amid the noise and chatter, the "Anson" storm surged from the red carpet into the banquet hall, finally slowing down only as the awards ceremony was about to begin. For the moment, all eyes reluctantly turned to the stage, waiting for the ceremony to start.

"You don't look nervous at all."

Sitting to Anson's right was Cameron Diaz, one of the most famous "big-mouthed" beauties of Hollywood in the 90s.

Tonight, she was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for "Gangs of New York."

At this moment, a trace of nervousness was evident on her face—

Among her fellow nominees were Kathy Bates, Susan Sarandon, and Meryl Streep, all three being Oscar-winning actresses.

It's hard not to be nervous.

Anson turned to Cameron. "Nervousness comes from anticipation. So, can I take it that you think you have a chance tonight?"

Cameron paused, glancing over at her boyfriend, Jared Leto, who was sitting on her right.

Clearly, the actor, who would later win an Oscar for "Dallas Buyers Club" and play the Joker in "Suicide Squad," wasn’t paying attention to their conversation at all.

Cameron looked back at Anson. "So, you don’t think you’ll win?"

Anson spread his hands. "Hey, look at me. The nomination itself is a surprise."

His nonchalant "pretty face" demeanor left Cameron momentarily stunned, and before she knew it, a smile reappeared on her face.

Anson was clear-headed and not getting carried away by the Golden Globes nomination—

The nomination itself was a pleasant surprise, even a tactic by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association to stir up interest and buzz.

After all, giving a topic-worthy person and film a harmless nomination to draw them to the ceremony wasn't something the Golden Globes hadn’t done before. They were quite adept at creating such media spectacles.

The real intention wasn’t in the award.

Tonight, Anson was that "gimmick."

One look at the seating arrangement made it clear. As a first-time nominee, Anson was placed at a prime round table. On his right sat Cameron and Jared, while on his left was Catherine Zeta-Jones. He was directly opposite the central round table where Leonardo DiCaprio was seated.

Right in front of him, a camera was positioned solely on their area.

Anson was sure he’d get plenty of screen time during the live broadcast tonight.

But Anson didn’t mind—

The Golden Globes wanted to use him, and he planned to use them right back.

Judging by the current outcome, the Golden Globes had already become the backdrop for Anson's show. From the red carpet to the banquet hall, the awards ceremony dimmed in comparison, with all the buzz revolving around Anson.

So, if the Golden Globes wanted to get their pound of flesh back, Anson had no objections.

Winning the award?

Nah, he’d rather relax and enjoy the party tonight.

---

*Chapter 760: Award Presenter*

The 60th Golden Globe Awards ceremony had officially begun—just as expected.

The Golden Globes are considered the precursor to the awards season because the Hollywood Foreign Press Association has a precise and thorough grasp of industry trends. They can always sense Hollywood's shifts and changes early on.

This year was no different.

Last year, at the Emmys, The West Wing dominated, taking home the Best Drama Series award for the third consecutive year. All nine of the main actors received acting nominations, making history. Meanwhile, The Shield, another highly praised show, only managed to snag the Best Actor in a Drama Series award, sparking controversy that the Emmys had become stagnant.

At the same time, Friends finally won the Best Comedy Series award after four nominations, but it didn’t take home Best Director or Best Writing, and was once again overshadowed by Everybody Loves Raymond.

Such results made it difficult to declare which series truly won. Additionally, Frasier, which many professionals considered the best comedy since Seinfeld, was once again snubbed, reigniting debates over which show deserved the title of best comedy of the era.

The debates continued.

So, the Golden Globes made their corrections.

Kim Cattrall, who played Samantha in Sex and the City, won her first Best Supporting Actress award, a major breakthrough for the iconic role.

Jennifer Aniston's career reached a turning point as well. After winning the Emmy for Best Actress in a Comedy Series last year, she claimed the same title at the Golden Globes for the first time, a moment of clarity after much uncertainty.

As the ceremony had only just begun, the Hilton Hotel in Hollywood was already filled with cheers, whistles, and applause, celebrating two long-overdue acknowledgments for these actors.

It was clear that after the Golden Globes wrapped up, the Emmy controversies would resurface, with the Golden Globes riding a wave of popularity effortlessly.

Whether the discussions would be positive or negative remained to be seen.

Meanwhile, one of the ceremony staff gently tapped Anson's shoulder, signaling that it was time for him to head backstage to prepare for his role as an award presenter—

Tonight, Anson was not only a nominee but also an award presenter.

It was clear that the Golden Globes were keen on capitalizing on Anson’s popularity to create buzz.

Of course, Anson didn’t mind.

He was set to present the Best Original Score award.

Arriving early backstage, amidst the chaos and noise, Anson once again experienced the weight of his newfound fame.

Everyone was greeting him.

Literally, everyone—whether they were attending the awards or working behind the scenes at the event, no exceptions.

It seemed the pre-show incident had given people a new perspective on him.

On one hand, the support from people like Maggie and Steven proved Anson's strong industry connections.

On the other hand, his calm and confident response showcased his composure—

Could Anson really be the secret son of a Hollywood executive, or a second-generation heir to old money, or maybe the youngest son of some aristocrat?

Where else could that confidence come from?

An ordinary person would have been overwhelmed by such attention.

Quietly, things were shifting, something Anson hadn’t anticipated.

The only relief was that Anson had the role of presenter, so with a gentle nudge from the staff, he managed to avoid being completely surrounded.

Amidst the hustle, Anson finally reached the stage’s wings, ready to make his appearance.

It wasn’t until now, as he was about to present, that Anson realized presenters also had to rehearse. Even if it was just a few lines, the presenters had to go through the script and choreography with the production team, including all the dialogues for the night’s ceremony.

After all, this was live TV.

One mistake could turn into a disaster for the whole night.

In 2004, during the halftime show of Super Bowl XXXVIII, top-tier star Janet Jackson—Michael Jackson’s sister—performed with Justin Timberlake, who had recently gone solo from NSYNC.

At the end of the performance, Justin suddenly reached for Janet’s chest without warning and ripped off part of her leather bodice, exposing her in front of millions of viewers. The incident caused a massive fallout, given the Super Bowl’s immense audience reach.

The FBI even launched an official investigation, turning it into the infamous "Super Bowl Incident."

Though both Janet and Justin addressed the incident, the truth remained unclear, and speculation only grew.

Some said it was a publicity stunt by Janet, others claimed it was a pre-planned act by both Janet and Justin, while some believed it was a genuine accident, and others thought it was a mischievous act by Justin that turned into a full-blown scandal.

Opinions were divided.

However, the result was clear—

Janet Jackson faced unofficial blacklisting, her career severely impacted, while Justin continued to thrive. Despite skipping the following month’s Grammy Awards, he still won a trophy, and his career flourished.

This incident marked a turning point for live television in the U.S.

Since then, all live broadcasts have been required to delay their transmission by at least 30 seconds to one minute, giving networks time to handle any unexpected incidents.

The effects of this policy are still felt today.

In 2021, Justin publicly admitted for the first time that the Super Bowl incident was his fault. His impulsive act, meant as a joke, triggered a series of unintended consequences, and he offered a formal apology.

For Janet, that apology came 17 years too late.

Returning to the present—

In 2003, there was no delay. Live meant live, with everything happening in real-time. Every detail of the awards ceremony was captured by cameras, even if someone was caught picking their nose—it was all on display.

Because of this, a palpable tension filled the air in the Hilton Hotel’s ballroom.

The Golden Globes were second only to the Oscars in viewership, attracting over 30 million viewers each year.

No one wanted to embarrass themselves on live television.

So, Charlie Kaufman’s fasting didn’t seem so strange after all.

Before social media permeated every aspect of daily life, the Golden Globes were the perfect stage for those behind the scenes to finally gain exposure. Everyone dressed to impress and showcase themselves.

Just sitting in the audience, the invisible tension was palpable; how much more intense was it on stage?

As Anson stood in the wings, the heat and pressure slowly enveloped him, clawing at his nerves in a way completely different from the Emmys.

At the Emmys, his win had been unexpected. He hadn’t anticipated the award, and everything happened so fast that there wasn’t time to be nervous.

The Golden Globes, however, were a different story. Everything was planned, and Anson knew exactly what was coming, making the tension silently creep in and tighten around him.