Hollywood's top director appeared in the VIP lounge of the Grammy Awards. A moment ago, the pop music stars had been chatting and laughing in their own circles, but they instantly went silent.
Those who had been sitting immediately stood up, those who had been eating stopped at once, and all eyes turned toward the two of them—more precisely, toward Gilbert.
Gilbert instantly felt dozens of gazes gathering on him. He smiled politely, sensing that the atmosphere was a little awkward.
So he broke the silence: "Hello, everyone. Please, carry on. Don't mind me."
Even so, no one could possibly ignore him.
Some people are born to be the focus, the protagonist.
Even if he were to walk quietly by and sit down on a sofa in a corner, he still couldn't be overlooked.
Gilbert was exactly that kind of person.
Just like in his film The False, when Tom Cruise had that line:
"When you become the protagonist, you can do whatever you want…"
"Hey! Gilbert, the Grammy organizers said you would be here tonight."
Gilbert and Avril Lavigne had only just found a spot to sit and rest when an acquaintance approached.
"Dr. Dre! Hello, hello. Long time no see."
With the warm enthusiasm unique to African Americans, Dr. Dre had to give Gilbert a hug.
After the hug, Dr. Dre said with some excitement, "Didn't expect to see you here. Our collaboration on Real Steel back then was a great experience."
"Yeah," Gilbert also sighed. "It's been more than ten years already, hasn't it? I still remember the theme song you wrote for my film."
"Hahaha, thanks for remembering. But I think the singer writing theme songs for your new films is great too, right? Miss Lavigne?"
Although Avril Lavigne was already a rock princess, she still couldn't compare to a legendary figure like Dr. Dre who had risen to fame in the '90s.
So she answered modestly: "Not at all, your songs are amazing too! I've listened to your albums. They're great."
The three of them chatted freely, which made the other guests incredibly envious. Many people suddenly remembered that Dr. Dre had indeed written a song for one of Gilbert's films.
That instantly made Dr. Dre the coolest person in the pop music scene today. Avril Lavigne didn't count—she was already completely shaped by Gilbert, both as a person and in her music.
And of course, this was the time for others to seize an opportunity.
Even if it was a bit abrupt, chances to meet and connect with Director Gilbert were not something one came across every day. So everyone was tempted, ready to find an excuse to strike up a conversation.
As for Avril Lavigne beside Gilbert, she was gloriously ignored. Many female singers who considered themselves very attractive were already imagining taking her place.
One particularly voluptuous Black female rapper with a large curvy figure and eccentric clothing had already set her sights on Gilbert.
When Dr. Dre finished talking with Gilbert, she deliberately pulled out a bottle of perfume from her small purse and sprayed herself. The heavy fragrance alone could probably make anyone who disliked such scents faint.
After spraying it, she walked toward Gilbert with what she thought was confident, seductive swaying.
Her voice arrived before she did.
Gilbert had just been discussing getting something to eat with Avril Lavigne—he hadn't eaten all day and felt hungry—when a voice sounded behind him:
"Hello, Director Gilbert, I'm Nicki Minaj. I want to sleep with you."
Gilbert didn't react immediately; he even froze for a moment. "Who?"
Everyone around was stunned. Even if you wanted to hit on a famous director, you could at least phrase it more politely, right? Saying that in front of his female companion was insanely disrespectful.
As expected, Avril Lavigne's expression darkened instantly.
Afraid he hadn't heard clearly, the newcomer introduced herself again: "My name is Nicki Minaj. I want to sleep with you."
She was extremely confident, deliberately swaying her famously curvy hips. Usually, men who saw her impressive figure could hardly walk properly afterward.
This year, she had used that same impressive figure to conquer a music producer—literally in bed—and landed a chance to release music, which was why she was here at the Grammys.
Conquered, literally, in the most physical sense.
Gilbert declined politely: "Sorry, um… I don't know you."
"It's okay," Nicki Minaj continued confidently. "After we've slept together, you'll know me. You'll be crazy about me—obsessed."
Those listening were stunned once more. Even without fans or reporters present, this scene was explosive enough.
Pop music might be chaotic behind the scenes, but at least everyone usually pretended to look glamorous and proper on the surface.
Nicki Minaj, however, tore off the mask altogether.
This was the moment for someone to step in.
John Mayer, who had been nominated for Best Pop Male Vocalist that night, pushed through the crowd and stepped between Nicki Minaj and Gilbert.
"Sorry, Director Gilbert and I need to discuss the theme song for a movie, so could you give us a little space?"
With John Mayer stepping in, the others finally reacted. Black male singer John Legend quickly came to help: "Nicki, Dr. Dre wants to see you."
Dr. Dre was a West Coast rap legend with unquestionable status—not someone a newcomer like Nicki Minaj could afford to offend.
Though unwilling, Nicki Minaj eventually backed off.
Gilbert remained calm. He first smiled at Avril Lavigne and said, "Good thing I stopped you. If the rock princess hit someone, you'd definitely make headlines tomorrow."
Avril Lavigne looked furious. "Hmph, if you hadn't stopped me, I would have kicked her giant butt to pieces already.
Big hips are so impressive? If she has the guts, we can compare who's prettier."
Indeed, when it came to looks, Nicki Minaj couldn't compare to Avril Lavigne—at least in Gilbert's eyes.
But in the eyes of many American men, women with Nicki Minaj's exaggerated figure were considered the true beauties, while Avril Lavigne was just average to them.
In short, this was a country where body figures mattered more than facial features.
After calming Avril Lavigne, Gilbert turned to the two people who had rushed in to help and thanked them. "Thanks for defusing that awkward moment. What are your names?"
The two eagerly introduced themselves—opportunities to have Gilbert know their names did not come often.
"John Mayer."
"John Legend."
"A pleasure, a pleasure." Gilbert shook hands with both of them. "Would you like to visit Melon Studio sometime? And maybe have a meal together—my treat."
John Mayer and John Legend exchanged a glance, then nodded immediately. "Of course. We're always free."
"Great, I'll have my assistant arrange a time." Gilbert then pulled Avril Lavigne forward. "This is Vivienne. Vivienne, hurry and thank them.
They kept you from making headlines for the wrong reason."
Avril Lavigne, obedient as a Persian cat and without any trace of the rebellious punk-princess attitude, thanked the two Johns.
After that incident, everything returned to normal.
Most people simply came to greet Gilbert politely and chat a little, without doing anything excessive.
Even Bob Dylan exchanged a few words with Gilbert. As fellow fishing enthusiasts, they agreed to go fishing together sometime.
Later, the Grammy organizers approached Gilbert. "Director Gilbert, would you be interested in presenting an award?"
"Aren't the presenter lists already set?"
"Yes, but one of them suddenly has stomach trouble and can't present, so we need your help."
That was obviously an excuse. Even if that person hadn't been sick, they would have been made sick, and they wouldn't dare complain.
Gilbert certainly understood what was really going on. "In that case, I'll do it. Which category am I presenting?"
"Best Pop Male Vocalist and Best Pop Female Vocalist. Both are major categories. You can choose one."
He remembered that John Mayer was nominated for Best Pop Male Vocalist. Would he win?
After thinking for a moment, Gilbert made his decision. "Then I'll present Best Pop Male Vocalist."
And with that, tonight's Grammy Awards officially began.
...
Hi For access to additional chapters of
Director in Hollywood (40 chpaters)
Made In Hollywood (Completed)
Pokemon:Bounty Hunter(30 Chapters)
Hollywood:From Razzie to Legend(40 Chapters)
The Great Ruler (30 Chapters)
Join pateron.com/Translaterappu