Rewind With A Superstar System

<🎧 Song Recommendation: Past Lives by BØRNS>

...

The days leading up to the semi-finals went by quickly. Everyone in the mansion was hard at work. While the production teams ran around making sure all conditions for the day would be perfect, the contestants busied themselves with practicing religiously.

Thankfully for Von, the situation with Celine didn’t get in the way of their work. They met up daily to rehearse. And since Señorita was already a duet, they didn’t have to fight over who sang which part.

They just focused on getting the performance right. The days passed without any major problems until the big day finally arrived.

***

(21st April, 2019)

The morning was consumed by a marathon makeover session. The artists worked for hours to ensure every contestant looked exactly like the artist they were trying to project.

Celine was dressed in a slinky, floor-length silk slip dress in a deep wine-red. A high thigh slit allowed for movement, while her blonde hair had been styled into effortless beach waves. Paired with stiletto heels, the outfit gave her an air of untouchable elegance that perfectly suited the sultry nature of her duet.

Von was styled to match Celine’s dangerous edge. He wore a black silk shirt with the top buttons left open, tucked into dark, tailored trousers. His hair had been pushed back and sharpened, highlighting his features and leaning into the charisma the fans had come to expect.

Aura and Julian stood in stark contrast to the polished look of the first pair. To match the raw, emotional weight of their ballad, they were given a more grounded aesthetic.

Aura looked natural in a floral maxi dress paired with rugged leather boots, her blue-purple curls left wild and loose.

Julian had ditched his usual refined suits for a distressed denim jacket over a plain white tee and dark jeans. He looked less like a pop idol and more like a weary musician, ready to deliver something honest.

By 8:00 PM, the four contestants were huddled backstage on a plush velvet couch, their eyes glued to a large screen.

Despite the looming eliminations, the atmosphere was surprisingly light. They were the Final Four; they had survived the culling, and for a few fleeting moments, they chatted and laughed.

On-screen, the lights of the Grand Arena came on, and confetti blasted before Michael stepped onto the stage with his radiant smile.

"Welcome to the Semi-Finals of Project: Star!" Michael shouted over the deafening roar of a thousand fans.

As the InkTube livestream went live, the digital world also went into a frenzy.

[I-Eat-Books-And-Music-4-Breakfast: Oh no, we’re at the Semis so soon! 🤧 It’s happening too fast, omg. I’m gonna cry! 🥹😭]

[Negative Reviewer 151: What the fuck is with that reaction, stop being overly dramatic y’all. The show isn’t even allat. It’s cringe and dry asf]

[Your Friendly Criminal 🥷💰: Shut tf up @Negative Reviewer 151, it’s like I see you everyday these days. Can’t you just enjoy something good for once. The show is awesome, okay except that lucky bastard named Von, this is my favorite show 😎]

[Von’s Wife: What do you mean lucky? 😑😑 First it was talentless, now he’s lucky?! Y’all ungrateful brainless illiterate bottom-feeding insects better leave my husband alone!!😐 You can’t even comprehend the level of artistry he’s displaying.]

[Touch Me, Celine! 🤤: Chill, lady. My bro’s going home after today. So it’s of no use defending him, and yeah we all know he’s been riding on luck through this show 😏]

[IHideSpeed ⚡: Why y’all even paying attention to those two. Can’t we question how unfair it was for the show to pit two of the favorites against each other! 😩 It’s clearly rigged 😡]

[Mr. Know It All 👁️‍🗨️: nah, @IHideSpeed ⚡, i really think it’s random, and trust me, it won’t benefit them to do such.]

[Magic Castle Guardian 🏰👑: Yeah, you’re right. But it’s still lit tho! It’s almost time for the completion to start, and the interviews go crazy, man]

***

The monitor backstage shifted from the crowd to a pre-recorded documentary segment. It was time for the audience to see the stories behind the voices. And it was Julian and Aura’s turn first.

The screen filled with Julian West. The lighting was soft, focusing on his sharp, handsome features as he sat in a library background.

"My name is Julian West," he began with a steady voice. He talked about his early years, the way music had always been the heartbeat of his home.

He offered sincere thanks to his family for letting him chase a dream that most deemed impossible. But then, his expression wavered.

"People ask me if I feel the pressure... and I have to admit, I do. Every day. I’m scared of failure. I don’t want to be the guy who had everything and did nothing with it. That’s why I give it my all everytime."

The scene shifted to an interview inside the Star Mansion. The interviewer asked the inevitable question about his father, the legendary Rayan West.

"My father is my role model," Julian said firmly. "But I want to create my own path. I don’t like the comparisons; I’m not him. I want to become as great as him, yes, but I came here for myself. To create a name that belongs to me."

The segment ended with Julian looking at a framed photo of his father before turning away to face the stage. He was tired of being a prince. He wanted to be a king of his own making.

"That’s why I can’t just be good. I have to be better."

Then, the scene shifted, and the screen was flooded with the bright, harsh sun of the Australian outback. This was Aura’s story.

It opened with an old footage of a younger Aura seen sitting on a fence next to a bearded man, with a massive horse standing beside them.

The narration described a talented girl, who grew up swimming in wild rivers, shooting targets at a range with a rifle, and winning gaming tournaments.

"I didn’t grow up wanting to be a star," Aura’s voice-over explained. "I just liked the challenge of trying new things. I never even thought about singing as a career."

The story changed when her Uncle Sam was introduce. He was the one who realized her voice was a diamond in the rough. Through his connection with his friend, Uncle Mark in America, he encouraged her to take the leap.

The narration followed her journey across the ocean, leaving the quiet town for the noise of Miami. Unlike Julian, Aura’s tone was relaxed.

She spoke about how she cared more about the feeling of a song than the score at the end of the night. She didn’t feel the weight of a legacy; she felt the joy of the ride.

"I’m just a girl from the bush who found something she loves," Aura said with a shrug and an honest smile. "Whatever happens today, I’ve already won because I’m standing here with people I respect. I’m just living in the moment, and I don’t want it to end."

The interviews concluded with a swell of emotional music that filled the arena. Backstage, Von felt a strange sense of respect for both of them. One was running from a shadow, and the other was chasing a feeling.

Michael walked back onto the stage, wiping the corner of his eye. He looked at the audience and smiled.

"Two incredible journeys that started worlds apart, now colliding right here on this stage. From the pressure of a legacy to the freedom of the wild... please welcome, Julian West and Aura Nova, as they perform the iconic track, Shallow."

The lights went black instantly. The show was starting.