Chapter 110 - 109: Best Newcomer Award
"Jojo!"
"Jojo, look over here!"
"AHHHH, she’s so beautiful!!"
Caught off guard by the fans’ shouts, Joanna Kennedy was a little surprised. ’I already have fans who show up to events for me?’
A group of young girls was holding up banners. There weren’t many of them, not comparable to the packed crowds for other stars nearby, but they didn’t lose out in terms of spirit. They had come to support her.
Joanna Kennedy’s heart warmed. She subconsciously waved in the girls’ direction, held the bodice of her dress, and bowed. The girls’ cheers grew even louder.
The awards ceremony was being livestreamed, so this moment was broadcast online in real time. The comments in the livestream chat immediately started scrolling faster.
[Joanna Kennedy really knows how to handle things. Her attitude is great.]
[Sob, I’m so jealous. Is Joanna Kennedy always this gorgeous? That waist, those legs, my god, her fans are eating well.]
[You don’t see many celebrities who value their fans this much anymore.]
[Maybe she’s just putting on an act. Anyone can pretend.]
[To the person above, so what? Why don’t your faves put on the same act? Is it because they don’t want to?]
[As long as she is willing to put in the effort for Us, this Emperor is pleased.]
[...]
The next celebrity was about to arrive, so Joanna Kennedy continued forward. The livestream comments quickly moved on to discussing the next arrival.
Inside the venue, the seats had names on the back. Joanna Kennedy found her name in the fourth row.
From a distance, she saw a few familiar faces in the first two rows: Shirley Shepherd and Brian Lynch.
Shirley Shepherd was wearing an artistic, vintage-style gown today. When she turned her face and winked at her, she gave off a playful vibe.
Joanna Kennedy immediately smiled and, mimicking Shirley Shepherd, winked back.
The surrounding camera flashes went off nonstop. The livestream chat erupted in screams, and the comments descended into chaos.
The host of the awards ceremony was a famous emcee, known for his high EQ and IQ, strong crowd control, and effortless pacing. He warmed up the venue with just a few sentences.
Joanna Kennedy felt a bit emotional. This was the first time she had ever attended an awards ceremony as a nominee.
In that other world, although she was considered a top-tier celebrity in the entertainment industry, she was actually more of the infamous, love-to-hate type.
Because of her stunning looks, her roles were all brainless beauties or naive sweethearts. No one could see her acting skills.
And because she refused to submit to certain powerful figures, she missed out on many opportunities to win awards.
Joanna Kennedy wasn’t obsessed with using awards to prove herself, but she had to admit, there was still a hint of regret.
The award presentation went smoothly, and soon it was time for Best Supporting Actress.
"Let’s see which outstanding actresses have been nominated for Best Supporting Actress. Please look at the big screen!" the host announced, his voice clear and powerful.
The big screen lit up, playing a series of clips as the host’s voice rang out: "Quincy Levin in *Smoke*, Wendy Campbell in *The stars are shining*, Joanna Kennedy in *Ten Thousand Miles*, and Wendy Sullivan in *Food Journal*!"
The screen froze on four different women’s faces. Joanna Kennedy’s was strikingly beautiful.
The camera quickly panned across the nominees’ faces. When it settled on Joanna Kennedy, she seemed to freeze for a moment, as if she hadn’t processed it yet, her bright, clear eyes staring blankly.
’Best Supporting Actress?’
’Wasn’t I nominated for Best Newcomer?’
’When did Wendy Campbell start acting? Isn’t she a singer?’
A flood of questions filled her mind.
Strictly speaking, Joanna Kennedy should have been happy, because a nomination for Best Supporting Actress was more prestigious than one for Best Newcomer.
But it wasn’t what she had been expecting, and the surprise was written all over Joanna Kennedy’s face.
The livestream chat exploded with "HAHAHA"s.
[Hahaha, girl, did your agency not sign you up for expression management classes...]
[Jojo is so cute, with that surprised look on her face. Looks like she really wasn’t expecting it, so there’s definitely no inside story.]
[The poor girl is totally stunned, hahaha. The other three look so calm...]
[Wendy Campbell got a nomination?? I thought she was a singer. How did she end up trying to make it as an actress too?]
[...]
Whatever was being said in the livestream chat, no one at the venue was aware of it.
Joanna Kennedy quickly composed herself and waited for the host to announce the winner.
In the middle of the third row, a look of absolute certainty flashed in Wendy Campbell’s eyes.
"And the award for Best Supporting Actress goes to..." The host deliberately dragged out his words, building the suspense.
The camera panned over the celebrities in the audience again, capturing everyone’s expressions. The high-definition cameras could clearly pick up every subtle micro-expression.
Once the anticipation was at its peak, the host announced in a powerful, resounding voice: "Wendy Campbell for her role as Crystal Warren in *The stars are shining*!"
There was a one-second pause in the audience, then the entire venue erupted in applause. Joanna Kennedy didn’t feel particularly disappointed and clapped along.
She had come for the Best Newcomer award in the first place. Being nominated for Best Supporting Actress was just a pleasant surprise, so she hadn’t had high expectations.
She was a little surprised that Wendy Campbell won, but only a little. ’If she has the skills, good for her. It’s not like I’m any worse,’ she thought.
Amid the applause, Wendy Campbell stood up from the third row, hugged the celebrity next to her, and before heading to the stage, she subconsciously glanced back, then quickly looked away and walked toward the stage.
The camera, which had been following the winner, captured this subtle movement as well.
The livestream comments immediately started buzzing with discussion.
[What’s the deal with that? Did Wendy Campbell just look back? Who was she looking at?]
[I saw it too. Does she know someone back there?]
[Ahem, not to stir anything up, but when her win was announced just now, she didn’t seem surprised at all. She gave off this vibe like she knew it was coming...]
One quick-fingered netizen had already saved the clip and started rewatching it in slow motion.
And upon closer inspection, something really did seem off.
[Wendy Campbell really wasn’t surprised. It’s like she already knew she was going to win.]
[Also, take a close look at her gown. Isn’t it a bit too formal and gorgeous? None of the other A-list actresses are dressed as formally as she is. She must have been prepared to go up and accept an award all along.]
A netizen started to analyze: "[I’ve rewatched it several times. I’m pretty sure she was looking at Joanna Kennedy before she went on stage.]"
That was rather thought-provoking. There were three losers, so why look only at Joanna Kennedy?
One of Wendy Campbell’s fans came forward to say: [The two of them used to be roommates. They must have a good relationship. What’s wrong with her looking?]
This reason was a plausible enough explanation, and the netizens’ suspicions dissipated somewhat.
Wendy Campbell clutched the trophy and delivered her long-memorized acceptance speech, even wiping away tears from the corners of her eyes at the end.
Next up was the Best Newcomer award. The host first read out the names of the four nominated artists.
Joanna Kennedy heard her name and the corners of her eyes crinkled in a smile.
The host then looked at the winner’s name on the card, pausing for a few seconds to build suspense. "And whose hands will the Best Newcomer award fall into..."
"Joanna Kennedy for *Ten Thousand Miles*!" The announcement was decisive.