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*Chapter 691: Heading North*

Christmas—the time of year for family reunions and the moment when children eagerly wait for Santa Claus to fulfill the wishes of well-behaved kids.

Some say that the moment you realize Santa Claus isn’t real is also the moment you bid farewell to childhood. So, for some, childhood ends at seven, while others carry it with them even into their thirties.

As we grow older, we stop believing in Santa Claus, and the idea of Christmas gifts fades away.

This seems to be part of the bittersweet burdens of adulthood.

However!

This Christmas is a little different—

Santa Claus, in various forms and disguises, has gifted adults a Christmas present, almost like magic, turning Christmas miracles into reality.

*First Stop: Las Vegas*

“No one told me, and there wasn’t any prior news. I just wanted to leave home for a couple of hours. I was losing my mind with all the kids driving me crazy, so I went to the movies to watch Catch Me If You Can, which I’d been dying to see.”

“I mean, who could say no to Anson?”

“And then…”

“He just showed up! Oh my God! Even now, thinking about it… Jesus Christ, ahhhh, I got chills from head to toe.”

“Anson is just perfect. My God, that was the happiest moment of my life. I left peacefully, but... it was Anson, ahhhh!”

*Second Stop: San Francisco*

“Before today, I knew about Anson, but I wasn’t particularly fond of or against him. I knew his new movie was coming out because posters were everywhere.”

“I once saw him on the set of The Princess Diaries, yeah, that’s right.”

“I thought he was… fine.”

“But looking back, I think I was blind before—completely blind.”

“My brother wanted to see The Lord of the Rings, I wanted to see Harry Potter, and in the end, we compromised on Catch Me If You Can. But we never expected this kind of surprise.”

“When Anson appeared, I thought my heart was going to explode.”

“Jesus Christ, it felt like he walked straight off the big screen. He’s definitely the most charming man I’ve ever seen.”

“My brother was just dumbfounded, screaming at Anson like a brainless fool. I wanted to hide in a hole, but when Anson looked our way, I didn’t want to leave anymore. Haha, that’s just who I am—full of contradictions.”

“I have to admit, there’s a difference between seeing someone on screen and in person. Even a big screen can’t capture Anson’s charm. It’s mesmerizing.”

“Oh God, just talking about him makes me blush again…”

*Third Stop: Portland*

“No, no, no, I did not expect this at all.”

“Oregon? Are you kidding?”

“I never thought any movie crew would choose to come to Portland, Oregon, for a promotion. This has to be the first time in my memory.”

“So, you can imagine the chaos when Anson appeared in front of us.”

“At first, no one believed it. Some people were even leaving the theater, hahaha. Some said he might be an SNL actor imitating Anson, but soon realized no one could imitate Anson.”

“Come on, imitating quirky characters is easy, but imitating good-looking people is next to impossible. God’s a bit selfish that way.”

“And then?”

“Then we went crazy. I bet Anson had never seen anything like it in other cities. We made sure Anson would never forget Portland, though whether he’d want to come back is another story.”

“I’ve lived in Portland my whole life, and I’ve never seen anything like it. It wasn’t just women—there were a bunch of men shouting like their lives were on the line, even drowning out the women’s screams. The scene… you can imagine. I don’t know what Anson saw with his own eyes, but I was deeply shaken.”

“My feelings right now? Grateful, very, very grateful.”

“No one remembers Portland, but Anson gave us this chance. Now I believe in Christmas miracles again—Anson is Santa Claus.”

*Fourth Stop: Seattle*

“Ahhh, ahhhh, ahhhh!”

“The movie, of course I screamed for the movie. How much of a film buff do you think I’d have to be to come to a theater after Christmas dinner?”

“But.”

“Ahhh, Anson! Who could say no to Anson? Anson is definitely the best and most precious thing to ever happen to any Christmas in my life.”

“Actually, I loved Catch Me If You Can, haha. I know no one’s talking about the movie, but Spielberg did a fantastic job. Watching it on Christmas was a delight.”

“But Anson, he’s irreplaceable.”

“That’s the point—just him showing up, saying hello, interacting with us was already an unforgettable experience. But more than that, he chatted with us about the movie, even asking us about our Christmas experiences. The whole vibe was relaxed and joyful.”

“I’d heard the rumors about Anson, of course. Everyone says he has an enchanting presence. Tonight, I finally understood why.”

“Oh, I love his character in the movie, but there’s no doubt I love him even more in person.”

“Spider-Man didn’t impress me, but Catch Me If You Can has really made me appreciate him. I think I’d be willing to go see any movie just for Anson.”

Lively and bustling, the journey continued—

Starting from Los Angeles in the south and moving along the West Coast all the way north, Anson spent Christmas flying between five cities, making surprise appearances at theaters.

This ingenious and novel promotional strategy stunned all of Hollywood, immediately catching the attention of Fox News.

After successfully leveraging Anson’s popularity this past summer, Fox wasted no time in following up with interviews.

Even during the Christmas break, they quickly dispatched teams to the theaters hosting the surprise events to capture firsthand accounts. They also sent another crew to shadow Anson, documenting DreamWorks’ innovative promotional approach in a documentary format.

DreamWorks couldn’t have been more supportive, thrilled that they’d attracted the attention of a major platform without even having to reach out.

Thus—

As soon as Anson finished his surprise visits, Fox News swooped in for interviews, and by December 26th, viewers were treated to the news.

It may not have been as fast as today’s internet era, but for 2002, this was impressively quick.

Unsurprisingly, Catch Me If You Can effortlessly became the hottest film of the Christmas season, spreading like wildfire across North America, with its momentum still climbing!

*Chapter 692: Flash Mob Surprise*

2002 wasn't considered a major year in the context of film history, except for the debut of "Spider-Man," which was seen as the beginning of the superhero film genre entering the mainstream. Other than that, it was fairly uneventful.

At that time, movie promotion was relatively straightforward. The cast would travel to different cities to interact with audiences and hold screenings, while using various media outlets like TV, magazines, and radio to promote. Every movie did this, and the difference was just in the scale of the effort—essentially, how much money studios were willing to spend to blanket the market with trailers and posters.

Of course, not much changed even twenty years later.

Although the internet has since expanded the ways and means of movie promotion, the core activities remained the same. The main difference was that now more cities were included, and international markets became part of the equation.

Movies like "The Avengers" would launch promotional tours well over a month before release, with the cast traveling globally to host early screenings and engage with fans, dominating trending topics online.

But the essence remained unchanged.

So, in that sense, the promotional campaign for "Catch Me If You Can" might seem like just more of the same.

However, that's not quite true. Small differences led to drastically different outcomes.

Typically, fan events were well-planned in advance: the date, time, location, and lineup were all scheduled, and fans would buy tickets to attend.

But here's the thing—the audience who bought tickets were already fans interested in the movie. The marketing was still focused on reaching the same target demographic.

This time, though, Anson did things differently.

For the first time, the concept of a "flash mob" was introduced into movie promotions.

No advance notice, no schedule, no expectations—everything happened spontaneously. The entire event was an unexpected surprise, catching people off guard.

It was a real surprise.

Imagine going to the movies casually, only for the lead actor to suddenly break the fourth wall and appear in front of you. That rush of excitement would easily create a memorable, adrenaline-pumping experience—even for those who weren’t hardcore fans, it would still be unforgettable.

The effect was immediate.

Fans of Anson flocked to theaters, hoping for a miracle appearance. For those who weren’t already fans, Anson's surprise appearances created buzz, broadening the movie’s reach.

The "flash mob" concept completely disrupted the usual formula of film promotion, making going to the theater feel like a potential moment of magic.

Everything changed.

And given that it was Christmas, the surprise carried even more meaning.

Entertainment Weekly even made a playful graphic of Anson wearing a Santa hat, jokingly comparing him to a new kind of Santa Claus—a joke that sparked a lot of controversy in Hollywood.

Clearly, not everyone appreciated the humor.

But regardless of opinions, the campaign became the hottest topic of that Christmas season.

And the buzz kept growing, breaking through to new audiences.

At this point, Hollywood finally understood DreamWorks’ strategy of releasing "Catch Me If You Can" on Christmas Day.

It was a multifaceted plan.

Unlike "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers," which opened on a Wednesday to stretch its box office run through positive word of mouth, "Catch Me If You Can" had a broader strategy.

First, the Christmas Eve release aligned perfectly with the movie’s storyline.

Second, the film itself had a holiday vibe, making it a natural choice to capitalize on the season.

Third, Anson’s flash mob surprises were planned to run from Wednesday through the weekend, turning a five-day window into a major promotional event. And if Anson decided to extend the surprise appearances into New Year’s Eve, it would send younger audiences into a frenzy.

The plan was genius.

DreamWorks' promotional strategy was refreshing and innovative.

What was unexpected, however, was Steven Spielberg’s later statement that the entire concept wasn’t DreamWorks' idea—it originated from Anson. The studio had simply expanded on Anson's initial idea.

Suddenly, it all made sense to Hollywood.

DreamWorks had long struggled with effective marketing strategies, and its distribution partner, Universal Pictures, wasn’t exactly known for its marketing prowess either. This had led to several great films underperforming at the box office, contributing to DreamWorks' financial difficulties. But now, with "Catch Me If You Can," they had hit a home run—all thanks to Anson’s creativity.

So, what can’t Anson do?

After this campaign, Anson’s reputation among Hollywood executives soared, especially with Warner Bros.' Jeff Robinov, who no longer felt alone in praising Anson’s talents.

Then, something interesting happened:

Everyone began speculating—where would Anson’s next stop be?

It was somewhat predictable. Based on travel distances, logistical considerations, and population size, people could roughly estimate where he might show up next.

Obviously, after Seattle, Anson wasn’t likely to jump straight to the East Coast, to New York or Philadelphia. The distance wouldn’t make sense.

But then, Anson appeared in Portland.

Not only is Portland rarely visited by movie casts, but Oregon is practically a desert when it comes to the film industry.

Yet, there he was.

So, was Anson’s appearance in Portland a special move to give smaller cities a chance to feel the excitement of a movie promotion, or was it because Anson had filmed "Elephant" there, and the next stops wouldn’t include smaller markets?

Speculation ran wild.

This was shaping up to be the most exciting, lively, and community-driven Christmas night ever. Online forums buzzed with activity, and people from all over the country celebrated together.

So, where would Anson go next?

Even though smartphones weren’t a thing yet, the internet was already deeply embedded in daily life. All eyes were on Anson, tracking private flights in and out of airports to crack the code of his next destination. It was a rare sight to see such anticipation, making "Catch Me If You Can" the talk of the town in a completely new way.

Even Anson probably didn’t foresee just how big this would get.

Chapter 693: A Chain of Surprises

After Seattle, the next city where Anson made a surprise appearance was—Boise.

Oh yeah, baby!

From the internet to the news, the entire city erupted in cheers, kicking into party mode.

The reason? Boise.

Wait, Boise?

At the mention of this city’s name, many people might ask, "Where is that?"

It’s the capital of Idaho, a small town with a population of less than 200,000, which hasn’t changed much over the last decade. Compared to Portland, it’s an even quieter and more low-key place.

However…

Anson showed up.

His appearance didn’t just prove that his visit to Portland wasn’t a fluke; it sparked hope in other small cities. This flash promotion could happen in any city, at any theater, and suddenly, everyone went wild.

Rumor has it that when Boise learned of Anson’s arrival, the whole city went into a frenzy. For the past 20 years, no Hollywood stars had ever come to promote a movie there. No top-tier concerts had been held in years. It seemed like the city was forgotten, as if it didn’t care about the entertainment industry at all. Even a local radio host could cause a traffic jam in this remote corner of the world, completely disconnected from the spotlight. But this time, Boise grabbed the chance to show its passion.

The theater Anson visited only seated 120 people, so when he showed up, it was a totally up-close-and-personal experience, turning the room into a volcano of excitement.

Soon, crowds swarmed the theater, completely surrounding it with more than a thousand people. The fire department and police had to come out to maintain order.

And the crowds kept coming. Traffic control was hastily implemented as Boise, fresh from the Christmas season, plunged into full-on celebration.

Even Boise’s mayor showed up to thank Anson for his surprise visit.

The local Idaho TV station covered the entire event live, a true Christmas miracle.

Someone on-site asked Anson why he chose Boise.

Obviously, when it comes to Hollywood movie promotions, the focus is usually on big cities. A place like Boise, with a population under 200,000 and limited visitors, doesn’t seem worth promoting in terms of return on investment—it just doesn’t make commercial sense.

Anson’s response:

“This isn’t a promotion, it’s a journey. Just like little Frank in the movie, who’s always running, always wandering, always on an adventure, and finally finds his harbor in the end. I wanted to see what it’s like, to go on an adventure and find my direction, and finally, find home.”

“For me, there’s no such thing as a small city, only new destinations for adventure. I love Boise. You made me feel anything but a stranger or cold. In fact, this face-to-face conversation is making me miss road trips. Who could resist a road trip?”

His clever response drew cheers from Boise’s residents.

Even after Anson left, the city remained in a state of euphoria. Boise's cinema saw its most enthusiastic moviegoers of the year, easily surpassing the summer blockbuster season and becoming a bright spot in the winter landscape.

No one expected this.

However…

Hollywood wasn’t impressed:

“So what if it’s Boise? Even if the whole city went to the movies, how much box office revenue could it bring?”

Anson worked hard on his road trip, but it wouldn’t compare to a single afternoon of promotion in a major city. Such a clumsy and naive effort seemed entirely unrewarding.

Hollywood insiders scoffed.

Unfortunately, their arrogant, conservative, and narrow-minded perspectives overlooked one thing—

A spark can start a wildfire.

Sure, Boise is just a small city with limited box office potential. But the focus was never really on Boise itself—it was about making a statement.

This was just the beginning.

Anson wasn’t fishing for attention. His words in Boise were genuine, as he faithfully carried out his original purpose for the flash event:

An adventure. A journey.

Idaho Falls, Bozeman, Salt Lake City, Phoenix, Albuquerque, Denver…

He headed south, then looped back north.

Big cities weren’t ignored either, but small cities were never left out. At any moment, Anson could show up in any town or city, sweeping across North America in a winding path from west to east.

It was madness—absolute madness.

Any city or theater could be Anson’s next stop.

That was the real point.

Small towns, long overlooked and forgotten like Boise, could also get a glimpse of Anson. Residents didn’t have to travel to Los Angeles or New York to see him up close. Even the faintest chance of this was enough to excite small-town residents across the country.

Soon, the excitement became unstoppable.

First, the buzz around *Catch Me If You Can* reached an unprecedented level, turning into the most talked-about topic of the Christmas season. The number of moviegoers kept growing as curiosity and excitement spread, creating a full-blown movie-watching craze.

Second, what if people really did bump into Anson? What if it wasn’t just him—what if Tom Hanks or Steven Spielberg showed up, too? With all eyes on Anson’s route, what if the film crew suddenly appeared on the East Coast?

As a result…

A wave of excitement swept across every city.

Of course, some remained cautious, waiting for Anson to possibly come to their town before trying their luck at the theater.

Hollywood insiders weren’t entirely wrong. Some remote areas couldn’t yet feel the wave of excitement, and Anson wouldn’t actually go to a town of fewer than a thousand residents. There were still many unknowns between the buzz and actual box office returns.

So, for some, it was like buying a lottery ticket.

But without a doubt, as Anson's journey deepened into smaller cities, *Catch Me If You Can* gained attention in everyday life, in places untouched by the internet. This was more impactful and personal than any trailer or poster, spreading far beyond the web.

Now, everyone was part of the excitement, and a wave of joy spread everywhere, pushing the Christmas spirit to new heights.

Finally, Hollywood began to take notice. Industry insiders realized they might have misjudged the situation again. One by one, they started paying close attention to this growing wave of excitement sweeping across the country.

And then, at this pivotal moment, TMZ grabbed the spotlight:

“An Adventure, A Journey: The Fashionable Journey of Anson Wood.”

Chapter 694: A Two-Pronged Approach

TMZ, the celebrity gossip website, noticed a subtle detail that others had temporarily overlooked amid all the hustle and bustle.

Undoubtedly, Anson was the center of attention. His flash event had caught everyone off guard, leaving them following his lead. All eyes were focused on the event and its aftermath, so no one paid attention to other details.

TMZ was no different.

Paparazzi were scattered across North America, constantly gathering and updating information, competing for exclusive stories in this fast-paced news era. But amidst the chaos, Harry Percy spotted a connection—a subtle but real one.

Harry Percy had crossed paths with Anson several times before, and he was always on high alert. He knew Anson was no easy opponent and required his full attention.

This flash event was already surprising enough, but Harry's gut told him there was more to it.

Unlike Hollywood professionals, Harry had a different perspective. He believed the flash event seemed too simple, mechanical, and monotonous.

Think about it: The core of a flash event is the element of surprise. But after ten or twenty repetitions, it loses its appeal, the excitement fades, and all that remains is fatigue. Eventually, it turns into a mechanical routine, and the surprise is no longer surprising.

While high exposure is good, too much exposure can be a bad thing.

As the event reaches its midpoint and loses its freshness, both the media and the audience will stop paying attention. Sure, small towns on the East Coast might still welcome it enthusiastically, but big cities like New York, Philadelphia, Miami, and Boston will lose interest.

In Harry's view, the event might hit a wall by the time it reaches Chicago or Atlanta, and from there, it could drop off a cliff, with no one caring anymore. All that would be left would be superficial pleasantries and official interactions.

At that point, the real challenge begins.

After all, as Hollywood professionals have pointed out, the cities that drive box office sales and boost ticket numbers are the densely populated ones. Setting aside the limited population of small towns, how many people living in rural or suburban areas are actually willing to buy tickets and go to the movies?

This is the 21st century, after all. With so many entertainment options, movie theaters are no longer the first choice for passing time.

In fact, according to statistics, the "golden age" of cinema ended long before the introduction of color films.

In 1939, "Gone with the Wind" became a milestone as the first large-scale color film production, marking the maturity of color film technology. However, color films didn't become mainstream until the 1960s, and by then, cinema attendance had already begun to decline.

In the 1920s and 1930s, 75% of North America's population went to the movies. But by the 1960s, that number had dropped to 50%, and it never recovered, continuing to decline until after the millennium when it fell below 20%, with no signs of stopping.

In other words, while the number of moviegoers and box office revenue might be increasing, when you consider population percentages and inflation, the market share of cinema has been in decline for the past half-century. The so-called golden age of Hollywood wasn't in the 1960s or 1970s—it was even further back, in the 1920s and 1930s.

The same holds true today.

Why do movie studios focus their marketing on big cities?

Because that's where the dense populations are, and more importantly, most of the people who are still willing to buy movie tickets live in these cities.

So, isn't the promotional plan for "Catch Me If You Can" risking losing sight of the big picture?

What happens if all the key cities in the densely populated East Coast reject the event?

Harry could see it, so wouldn't Anson?

Actually, the best way to avoid fatigue is to strike fast and hard.

While the freshness and buzz are still strong, pick five to ten major cities, make appearances, surprise people, interact, and then announce the event's conclusion, leaving everyone wanting more. This way, the buzz and attention gradually shift to second- and third-tier cities, with the core markets driving interest in the surrounding areas.

Instead of dragging out the event and risking it losing momentum like it is now.

When Anson appeared in Boise, Harry found it odd.

Initially, Harry thought it was just a gesture—a way to signal to the public that Anson might show up in small cities, keeping everyone on their toes and giving hope that audiences in smaller cities might be drawn into the theaters.

Like fishing.

But in reality, Anson would still focus on the big cities, making a token appearance in one or two small cities on the East Coast at most.

That would be the smart strategy.

But that's not what happened.

Anson wasn't just teasing—he was actually visiting a series of small, sparsely populated cities in the Midwest, and the pace of the flash event began to slow.

It was strange, and the more Harry looked, the stranger it seemed.

Harry didn't believe Anson was naive enough not to see the pros and cons of this approach.

So, why did Anson still choose this path?

Could Anson have miscalculated this time, failing to think it through?

No, Harry didn't think so. Having dealt with Anson before, he knew what Anson was capable of. If this was a marketing plan devised by DreamWorks or Universal, maybe it wasn't fully thought out; but since it was Anson's idea, Harry was convinced there was more to it.

Either there was a hidden twist in the flash event, or there was a grander plan in motion.

Or perhaps Anson had a backup plan.

Observation, connection, inference.

Harry caught the link in countless photos:

The outfits.

A flash of inspiration hit Harry, and he grasped the truth.

In every city, at every appearance, Anson changed his outfit!

At this point, professionals would definitely scoff.

"Come on, what's the big deal? This is standard practice during promotional tours. Actors are expected to change their outfits constantly. If the media caught an actor wearing the same outfit twice, that would be news. Even male actors would be embarrassed."

Of course, there are exceptions, like actors who cultivate a laid-back persona and stick to the same T-shirt and jeans look, but that's another story.

Don't forget, Anson first made waves with his "GQ" cover, breaking into the spotlight with fashion.

So, there's no way his agent or stylist would make such an obvious mistake. This was just routine.

But Harry didn't see it that way.

Changing outfits for each event? That’s normal.

But changing outfits for every appearance, not just at the movie meet-and-greets, but at every single public sighting—at the airport, in the car, before and after fan events—literally changing outfits like a chameleon with each public appearance? That’s not normal.

Each outfit showcased a progression of style and fashion trends? That’s even more abnormal.

It was like collecting breadcrumbs, piecing them together to reveal a grand scheme and glimpse the full scope of Anson’s hidden strategy.

Boom.

Harry's mind exploded.

*Chapter 695: Technical Expertise*

"An adventure, a journey: the exclusive fashion odyssey of Anson Wood."

A feature report appeared on the homepage of TMZ’s official website, quietly making its debut yet firmly occupying the center of the portal, stealing all the spotlight.

To be honest, calling it a "feature report" might make real journalists scoff. It neither delved comprehensively into a topic from all angles nor explored any future possibilities. TMZ’s so-called feature was more of a photo collage—

A task even an intern could handle.

Harry Percy didn’t plan to deny this:

Fashion? It wasn’t his specialty.

Initially, Harry intended to find a professional, at least a top student currently studying fashion or design, to analyze Anson's outfits from a professional perspective—talking about styles, trends, and so on.

But Harry quickly ditched that idea. TMZ’s niche is exclusive scoops, and it’s all about speed. They just need to drop the bombshell; others can handle the professional follow-ups and deeper reports.

There was no need to deviate from the focus.

So, this so-called feature report was both simple and crude—

A scrapbook.

In America, many girls start planning their dream weddings in high school. They cut out themes, venues, dresses, and other details from various magazines and newspapers, creating a scrapbook as a future reference when planning their own weddings.

Now, Harry was doing the same thing.

From the Christmas morning flash mob in Los Angeles onward, he gathered every image of Anson in front of the cameras—whether in public or caught by the paparazzi—arranging them in chronological order to complete this feature.

Simple? Definitely.

Crude? Absolutely.

But the impact was just as direct.

Each outfit perfectly showcased Anson’s personal fashion sense and style.

This wasn’t the first time.

Previously, the New York Times published a feature focusing on Anson’s authenticity, which caused quite a stir and gained widespread attention.

Later, Vogue collaborated with Anson on a special project that highlighted his personal style. The project was a hit, sparking widespread discussion—

As a side note, the collaboration between Anson and Vogue was seen as a bold and innovative venture, earning applause from the industry. Anna Wintour made no effort to hide her fondness for Anson, so it was no surprise that their partnership continued.

From winter to spring, then summer, and finally fall, Anson’s outfits for all four seasons perfectly displayed his unique taste. Unbelievably, the collaboration’s influence lasted throughout the entire project.

Step by step, Anson quietly built a reputation in the fashion world, with his style and flair being increasingly recognized.

Then, yet another step—

TMZ’s feature, while unprofessional and even amateurish, hit the core by letting the photos and outfits do the talking.

In this context, words became unnecessary. The outfits themselves were the best information.

The styles were diverse, ranging from formal wear to casual outfits, from suits to athletic gear, from leather jackets to hoodies, showcasing a wide array of elements.

The vibe? Ever-changing. It broke design, color, and convention, much like how Frank Abagnale broke the fourth wall and stepped into reality—but it also further highlighted Anson’s distinct edges and flair.

Every appearance was a spectacle.

Some fans had noticed something different about Anson, but in 2002, people didn’t yet grasp the concept of strong individual fashion icons. Trends were usually brand-driven, and no one thought of following a celebrity’s everyday style to build their own look. Thus, no one made the connection.

Until TMZ—

Sure, this feature lacked technical expertise and was no better than a high school-level scrapbook. But it achieved something crucial:

It consolidated everything.

All the information was organized, laid out in front of everyone, and the scattered fragments of inspiration collided, igniting sparks.

Boom!

Now, it got exciting.

Over the past two years, Anson’s style had laid a solid foundation. The moment for a breakthrough was approaching.

Like now.

TMZ once again stood at the forefront, generating an unprecedented wave—more impactful and explosive than any exclusive or gossip from the past six months. It soared into the public’s eye out of nowhere.

Hollywood was stunned.

To them, TMZ was just a ragtag bunch of paparazzi goofing off, with no real impact.

But—

It happened.

What started as small talk at Hollywood dinner tables slowly sparked discussions on online forums, evolving into a hot trend among the younger generation, and finally entering mainstream media’s spotlight.

TMZ kept updating Anson’s outfits in real-time, following his journey from the West to the East, gradually spreading this fashion wildfire.

Online and offline, Anson’s changing looks subtly validated TMZ’s narrative, drawing more and more attention and discussion. Every flash mob appearance sparked fresh anticipation.

Then—

When Anson appeared in Chicago in a black tactical outfit—military boots, a shoulder harness, and a jacket—completely decked out in black with no other color, like Lucifer himself, he redefined fashion again, igniting a frenzy—

In 2002, this was a first.

Vogue finally joined the conversation.

Unlike TMZ, which was amateurish, Vogue, being an industry authority, dedicated eight full pages to an in-depth analysis.

Fashion style, key features, accessory choices, and even the brand sources of each item—Vogue even speculated on the original inspiration for Anson’s fashion choices.

Thorough, comprehensive, professional—this was what a real feature report looked like.

Vogue wasn’t racing against time. They patiently collected enough information, even reaching out to Anson’s team for interviews, before publishing their feature.

Rumor had it that Anna Wintour had considered featuring Anson on the cover of the January issue—

Had it happened, it would have been Vogue’s first-ever male cover star.

In the end, Anna decided against it, believing the time wasn’t right. Still, Vogue dedicated its highest-tier treatment to Anson with his fifth column in a year, underscoring his influence.

Thus—

By the time Anson arrived in New York, the buzz from the flash mob hadn’t faded, nor had it become stagnant or dull. In fact, it reached new heights, fully igniting public discussion.

The difference was that the core focus had seamlessly shifted—from getting a close encounter with Anson to witnessing the rise of a fashion icon.

But either way, the result was the same.

Harry was right. Anson had indeed been hiding an ace up his sleeve.