In a public makeup room backstage of the shooting room of Actors on Set, the makeup artists chatted with each other as they worked. "Hey, did you guys see him? Mr. Parker, the great director, is here. I didn't believe it when they announced that he would join this show. After all, I've never seen him join any variety show. So, our TV station is quite awesome." "Yes, I saw him. I walked past from behind him just now. He's so handsome and tall. He'll be very outstanding among the stars. It's a pity that he became a director." "It's not a pity at all. We won't see so many good films if he's not a director. Not only are his movies and dramas good, but the female stars in his shows are very beautiful too. The people in the field claim that there won't be any ugly women in his shows. He's indeed a lucky star for female celebrities." "That's right. I saw an actress before, who is a famous star now. She generally looks ordinary, but the audience soon saw how beautiful she was in Mr. Park
"I rested for a bit." Zoe did not say much about that. She also did not want to talk about her past experiences People in the entertainment circle were no fools. All her jobs were canceled and her work was removed. She was even banned. So, she must have offended someone powerful in the entertainment circle. Claire did not ask any more about that before she changed the topic and said, "Alas, this is the first time I've been so nervous in ten years of filming. Zoe, are you nervous?" Zoe nodded and answered honestly, "I made a few mistakes yesterday, and I couldn't fall asleep last night." "Me too. I made a lot of mistakes during the rehearsal yesterday. I'm afraid the same thing will happen today." Claire echoed what Zoe had said. "The rules of this competition stipulate that the judges will be the ones who will pick candidates in the first round. After the primary election, they'll then start the competition. It's where the audience will vote. I'm afraid that I can't even pass
She felt that she seemed to be worse than others at the moment. As expected, people would have self-denial when they lacked confidence. It was Cora's performance before Zoe's turn, and she made the scene quite exciting by singing and dancing. Cora had indeed improved a lot on stage during these years. Zoe watched TV too, and she always watched Cora's films on TV. Cora's acting was childish at the beginning but it had become mature now. She could now handle the stage skillfully and easily, and one could not deny her excellence. Zoe even thought of the possibility that her appearance in the next moment would ruin the excitement Cora had built up at the scene. The staff then reminded Zoe to get ready, so she got up from her seat in the waiting area, where the surrounding few people even encouraged her. They were not stupid. They knew that Zoe had offended someone, so she was banned. Thus, they would not easily be friendly with her now given that they were unaware of her curr
"Hmm," Jay answered. "What a pity! I thought so highly of her that year," Hailey added. Zoe was an experienced senior, and she was also considered an artist in performance. For her, her fame and honor in the entertainment industry were no longer important now. She sincerely hoped to see new power rise to support the entertainment industry instead of those famous young stars who had no acting skills at all. Jay then ignored her. His eyes were glued on Zoe, and he could not avert his gaze at all until Zoe's performance ended. She bowed to the audience and judges before she turned around to leave the stage. "Please stay, Zoe." The host suddenly went up the stage from backstage and stopped her. That session was not included in the previous rehearsal. The actresses who needed to answer questions were informed beforehand. She was sure that she did not receive such a notice. However, she still paused and faced the host, judges, and audience. "Everyone is very surprised to
"No." Zoe denied it and tried her best to joke. "Well, I'm still a lucky single lady." "If that's the case, I think there's something worth expecting in your acting skills." "Thank you, sir." Zoe bowed and thanked him. "I also felt a lot of things when I saw Zoe's performance just now," Harry chimed in. "Zoe, do you remember we once collaborated?" "Of course I do." Smiling, Zoe admitted to it. They debuted at the same time, but she got famous faster than him. However, times had changed. He was now a judge while she became a candidate. "I heard Ms. Zimmerman and Mr. Moore's comments on your acting skills and I feel that they made the right comment. So, I won't say much. I just hope that you can continue on your journey at this stage. I'm rooting for you." Harry cheered her up. "Thank you, Mr. Campbell." Zoe made a polite bow again. When she got up, she looked at Jay. Since all the judges had commented on her acting, Jay could not act differently. She looked over
Smiling faintly, Zoe did not reply. She knew very well that everyone here was her competitor. If one performed badly, one would become more popular. She had now started to plan her upcoming arrangement. After the performance of the first show, all actresses were invited to the stage for the first round of voting. A few people were chosen behind closed doors. Undeniably, there would be unfair deals in all shows, though most people were still fair. Only fifteen people would remain out of the thirty people. Zoe stood in a corner at the back. She had no expectations whatever. The competition rules of the first round of elimination were very simple and direct. Some judges discussed and made choices. The ones whose names were called could stay while the others were asked to leave. Zoe heard others' names one after another. It was now the last name. The host paused for a while. At that time, Zoe had turned to look in the direction in which she should leave. She was
Jay looked at the hand before him. Was it because of her makeup? Her hand seemed slightly rougher. Zoe's hand stiffened in the air awkwardly because Jay did not respond for a long time. She thought that he would pretend in public. After all, he shook hands with every actress before her. Unexpectedly, he still resisted her so much. Smiling, she retrieved her hand in a seemingly very composed manner. She then walked past him to Harry. She was again meek and humble. She did not notice that Jay had stretched his hand out after she left. He then slowly retrieved his hand. After the actresses greeted the judges, they returned backstage. Zoe sat in the public makeup room to remove her makeup, where Claire was doing the same too. She had advanced to the next level and was one of the first few ones to do so. Although the host explained that the name list of the actresses who had advanced to the next level had no placing, they were arranged according to placing. Zoe was
She did not want to talk any further.The more she said, the more fault they would pick.She stood up intending to leave."Stay right there." The actress ran toward her. "Shouldn't you apologize to Yvonne?""Why should I?" Zoe found it ridiculous."You took her spot. Don't you think she deserves an apology from you?""The judges were the ones who gave me that spot. If you find it unfair, you should look for the judges and not me.""You're great at passing the buck, aren't you, Zoe?""I'm telling the truth.""Let me tell you another piece of truth. If you don't formally apologize to Yvonne today, you can forget about leaving this place."Zoe furrowed her brows."Let's see who wins this time." The actress blocked Zoe's way to the exit with a smug look on her face.Zoe tried to compose herself. If this had happened three years ago, she would have kicked the woman aside. What an eyesore!But now, she had to admit that she did not have the guts to.She did not have the guts