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Chapter 217: Because This is the Oscars
🕑 Added 2025-01-01 10:38:51 +0000 UTCDespite facing protests from the Rainbow Alliance, the 68th Academy Awards ceremony was still held on schedule on March 25th at the Chandler Pavilion in the Los Angeles Music Center. Experience from the past decade showed that whenever a box office hit received multiple nominations, both the live audience and the television ratings would be particularly high. This year, *Saving Private Ryan*, as the biggest favorite, clearly boosted the Oscars' appeal.
Shortly after noon, Sarah entered the press area with her media invitation. As an entertainment reporter for the *Los Angeles Times*, she had a decent spot. Although the red carpet event was still some time away, the fans across the way were already shouting wildly, providing excellent material for her coverage.
"Bill!"
As the press area grew more crowded, Sarah instructed her cameraman, "When the red carpet starts, make sure to follow my lead for the shots!"
"Hey, Sarah." Bill grumbled as he set up his camera. "I'm not a rookie."
"There are too many people crashing the red carpet every year!" Sarah still felt uneasy. "We need to focus on the key moments."
No one could say exactly when it started, but there was a growing trend of actresses who didn't have invitations, yet still wanted to steal the spotlight. They would use connections with stars, sponsors, or even media outlets to appear on the red carpet. If other actresses walked the carpet slowly, these women, who had neither nominated works nor official invitations, would inch along, taking half an hour to complete the short stretch.
Thick skin is a basic requirement for surviving in Hollywood, but these women took it to a whole new level, with skin seemingly thicker than the bright red carpet itself.
For someone like Sarah, a well-known entertainment reporter for the *Los Angeles Times*, these women had no value whatsoever. Wasting film on them was simply not worth it.
One by one, the male stars in formal wear walked the red carpet at a normal pace, while the elaborately dressed female stars strolled as slowly as possible, trying to linger in the spotlight.
Both the men and the women murdered countless rolls of film.
A black limousine stopped at the front of the red carpet. The door opened, and a tall man in a dark suit stepped out.
"It's Duke Rosenberg!"
Ignoring the women still dawdling on the carpet, dozens of camera lenses immediately swung to the front section of the red carpet.
"The explosion maniac and the two-billion-dollar director has arrived!"
The cameramen reacted with excitement as if they were seeing Tom Cruise or Tom Hanks. Duke had been a media focus for the past few months, even though he had never stepped in front of the cameras to say anything himself.
"Does he have a date?"
Seeing the young director turn back and extend his hand to someone inside the car, Bill felt a bit puzzled. Although Duke was known as a Hollywood playboy, he rarely appeared in public with women.
When Duke turned and helped a woman out of the car, Bill could feel the flashes go off all around him. He, too, rapidly pressed his camera's shutter, capturing the pair.
"Who is she?"
Many people were asking the same question.
The woman had long, flowing black hair, and her amber eyes were both dreamy and bright, exuding a unique aura. As she quietly stepped out of the car, her delicate face had the grace of a classical lady, but when she smiled at her companion, there was an undeniable wild charm to her.
Her figure, wrapped tightly in a black, low-cut evening gown, was tall and voluptuous—she was the very embodiment of beauty and sensuality.
Who was this woman? If she had played a major role on the big screen, she certainly would have made an impression.
"Do you know who she is?"
Bill asked Sarah, "You've interviewed Duke Rosenberg several times and are in touch with his PR. Do you know who this woman is?"
"If I'm not mistaken,"
Not only Bill, but everyone around was now listening intently as Sarah continued, "This woman is from the UK. You can check it out. She's a somewhat famous actress named Catherine Zeta-Jones. She's probably the lead actress in Duke's new film *Chicago*."
"She's not his girlfriend, right?"
A reporter wearing a *New York Post* badge speculated, already thinking about how to spin this as Duke's first public romance.
"You can judge for yourselves."
Having finished the small deal with Panny Kellis, Sarah said no more and urged Bill to keep taking photos.
"Doesn't look like it for now."
When the two started walking down the red carpet, someone commented in a disappointed tone.
Duke and the British actress didn't hold hands; they merely walked arm in arm in a standard director-and-lead-actress manner. The reporters had their guesses, knowing it was likely a promotional stunt for the film.
However, the two kept exchanging glances and silently communicating with their eyes, which seemed suspiciously intimate.
Because they had a promotional obligation, Duke didn't walk as quickly as he usually did at public events. He could feel Zeta-Jones's hand trembling slightly on his arm, and it was clear she was very excited.
If it weren't for him supporting her, Duke guessed she would have only made it a third of the way by now.
"So this is the Oscars red carpet?"
Taking advantage of a moment when she turned her head, Zeta-Jones whispered in his ear, "Even though it's my first time, I think I've already fallen in love with it."
"Dear, this is my first time too." Duke shrugged slightly, quickening their pace a bit. "Let's hurry up."
"Your first time?"
Although Zeta-Jones maintained her charming smile, her amber eyes were full of doubt. "How could this be your first?"
"This is the first time I've been personally nominated for an award."
Seeing someone waving a *Saving Private Ryan* poster, Duke gave a small wave in return. But the fan reaction was lukewarm, so he continued speaking to the woman beside him, "Although *Independence Day* and *The Rock* were also nominated for Oscars, I was too busy with work at the time to attend."
Too busy with work? No time?
It was hard to believe. Most people would jump at the chance to appear at the Oscars, yet this man seemed uninterested...
After walking a few more steps, Zeta-Jones finally understood. She'd been part of the *Chicago* crew for several months now and had seen firsthand how dedicated Duke was to his work. She had also heard others mention how he believed directors should speak through their films.
Besides, he was so young and so talented that he would surely have many opportunities to walk the Oscars stage in the future.
Of course, he wasn't some old-school, inflexible director either, otherwise, he wouldn't have agreed to Kelly's suggestion of walking the red carpet with her.
Zeta-Jones turned her gaze to the man beside her. He was a director that was difficult to fully understand.
Whatever was going through the woman's mind, Duke had no idea. He simply led her into the interview area to speak with the press.
As the director of the night's most popular film, he was naturally a media focus. No sooner had they entered the interview area than a reporter from ABC, the network broadcasting the event, came running over.
"Director Rosenberg, do you feel confident tonight?"
It was a routine question, and Duke gave the standard answer. "I think we'll take home a few Oscars."
The female reporter asked, "Do you think you can set a record by winning Best Director?"
"I'll win one eventually."
Although it was another standard answer, Duke was speaking truthfully. "But not this year. I'm still young; there will be more chances."
He knew very well that his age was a disadvantage that couldn't be overlooked, and directors like Tim Robbins from *Dead Man Walking* had done plenty of behind-the-scenes campaigning.
"Can you tell us about the lovely lady beside you?" The reporter glanced at the smiling Zeta-Jones. "Is this your girlfriend?"
"This kind of misunderstanding isn't easy to explain."
Turning his head, Duke and Zeta-Jones shared a deep look in front of the cameras before he said, "This is Miss Catherine Zeta-Jones. Kate is an outstanding actress and the leading lady in my new film. As you can see, she's beautiful and captivating."
Upon hearing this, the reporter immediately turned her attention to Zeta-Jones. "Miss Jones, can you tell us about your collaboration with Duke?"
"Of course."
Zeta-Jones had been waiting for this opportunity since they'd arrived. "Last year, Director Rosenberg specifically came to London to find me. He believed I was perfect for the role of Velma. He's always been one of my favorite directors, so I was thrilled when we got the chance to work together. Although filming hasn't started yet, during our discussions about the script and characters, he's already given me a lot of inspiration and guidance…"
She turned her head and gazed at Duke with admiration, continuing, "This will be a turning point in my acting career, the most important role of my life. Once you work with Duke, you realize just how talented and hardworking he is. It's impossible not to admire, even be captivated by him…"
When it comes to acting, Duke knew he could never match Zeta-Jones, not even if he worked for another twenty years. After finishing the interview, they wasted no more time and headed directly into the Chandler Pavilion. Following the staff's directions, they crossed the foyer and a long corridor, using the VIP entrance to reach the main theater hall.
"I've been here before," Zeta-Jones murmured as she walked beside Duke, arm in arm. "Why does it feel completely different?"
"Because it's the Oscars."
Duke replied casually and looked around for the crew. Before he saw the familiar faces, Nancy Josephson caught up with him from behind.
"This way." She led the way and said to Duke, "You will get familiar with it after a few times."
Come more times?
These words seemed to touch Zeta-Jones' heart. She likes such occasions, likes the feeling of being the center of attention, and wants to attend every Oscars.
Turning her head, her eyes fell on Duke, would this be her guarantee?
"Where's my mother?"
This is the question that Duke is most concerned about, "Is she in?"
"Leah is sitting with her in the front." Nancy walked to the front row where the crew of Saving Private Ryan sat
