The opening of China Entertainment Group gave Jay Chou a head-on confrontation

Chapter 976 The King of Ratings

"No! I can't accept that!"

"Giselle Bündchen is shameless! Alexandra was here first!"

"Whose fault is it that you got robbed? Isn't it because you're not attractive enough?!"

"Stop arguing, is it possible that the two of them are together?"

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"

This was the most discussed day in Victoria's Secret's history, and also the most controversial day.

The two top supermodels' ambiguous interactions with the man on stage, one after the other, garnered a lot of attention for the show, not to mention that it also involved another global superstar, Leonardo DiCaprio.

Leonardo DiCaprio, who rose to global fame with "Titanic," is already at the top of Hollywood's hierarchy. Last year, when he officially announced his breakup with Gisele Bündchen, her fans vehemently criticized him. Now, however, they've immediately turned their anger around and are celebrating the good thing about the split.

Spike is the music GOAT of the new era. Who does Leonardo DiCaprio think he is?

She debuted so long before Spike, and all the money she's earned over the years, is it enough to make Spike's album "25" a success?
You can't compete with them in terms of fame and status!

How many high-end endorsements does Spike have?

Do you have endorsements for both Porsche and Cadillac?
Do you deserve a lifetime contract from Coca-Cola?

Not worthy!

Alexandra's fans were equally furious, hurling insults at Gisele Bündchen, calling her shameless for stealing their fellow countrywoman's boyfriend. They pointed out that everyone knew Spike and Alexandra had been together for years.

Then they got scolded too—

Scarlett Johansson's fans also joined the fray, dragging the Brazilian sisters into the fray as well.

In terms of early arrival, Scarlett was the first one there!
However, before Scarlett...

Like a layered pancake, the entire northwestern United States was thrown into chaos by this public kiss.

The exposure of the Brazilian sisters after the 2006 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show was incredibly high. Their popularity surged ahead of other top supermodels on the planet, and their status was far superior!

This is truly Spike's carefully selected product—

Two supermodels!
After Gisele Bündchen's contract renewal negotiations with Victoria's Secret broke down and her contract was terminated, her appearance fee was taken into account by major brands' fashion shows and fashion magazines, which was impossible before, after all, she is the world's number one supermodel.

But this latest development has actually strengthened the market's confidence in her departure from Victoria's Secret.

If she can handle Spike, what difficulty can't she handle?

This kind of "battle for the man" marketing, involving the real person, wouldn't dare to do without Spike's approval, even if she had a hundred times the courage.

Alessandra, who stayed with Victoria's Secret, rose to the status of a superstar thanks to this event. In addition to a regular five-year contract with an annual salary of six million US dollars, her commission was even higher than Gisele Bündchen's top contract with Victoria's Secret.

The stock price of L Brands Inc., the parent company of Victoria's Secret, surged immediately after the show aired, seemingly unaffected by the departure of top star Gisele Bündchen.

win!
Everyone wins!

The influence of Zhou Yi himself was further validated by the market during this grand show, most directly reflected in the nationwide viewership of the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.

3670 million!
On December 8, 2006, after CBS meticulously compiled and released all the statistical data, anyone who followed the viewership figures couldn't help but contribute to the fight against global warming.

What is this concept?
The record of 1200 million viewers set by the first Victoria's Secret Fashion Show on television in 2001 has not been broken until last year, and no one has come close to breaking it. On the contrary, it has been declining year by year.

This year, Zhou Yi's appearance brought about a dramatic change to the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, with a terrifying increase in viewership of more than three times, leaving the entire American entertainment industry stunned!
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible! How could one person possibly drive such a high growth rate!"

"Nothing is impossible, Spike is king!"

"Are you sure these ratings aren't rigged?"

"Is CBS owned by Spike or Victoria's Secret? Are you helping them fabricate data?"

"They've gone mad! They've all gone mad! Americans are beyond saving, actually idolizing a Chinese person like this. The future of this country is ruined!!!"

The frantic, stress-induced exhalation, followed by an incredulous burst of hymns—

The influx of casual viewers further propelled this ratings frenzy onto an undeniable fast track.

The viewership numbers, the massive revenue, and the soaring stock price of L Brands Inc., the parent company of Victoria's Secret, all testify to Spike's authority and the authenticity of the data.

Before him, the last man to have such a significant impact on viewership was Michael Jackson, who appeared on the Super Bowl halftime show in 1993.

1992年超级碗中场秀5000万收视人次，1994年超级碗中场秀7000万收视人次，唯独夹在中间的迈克尔·杰克逊出现的1993年，将收视率拉到了9000万。

It was precisely because of Michael Jackson's outstanding performance at his peak that the Super Bowl halftime show began to feature performances by superstars.

Yes, Michael Jackson's Super Bowl halftime show actually had 90 million viewers in North America. It was only because Sony added various overseas viewership figures that were difficult to verify that it reached 130 million. However, this 130 million figure is not recognized by American television stations and is only used for brainwashing propaganda within fan circles.

This is why when American television stations later compiled the historical viewership rankings for the Super Bowl, you couldn't find Michael Jackson in the top ten, because the top ten viewerships all started at 100 million.

The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show's foundation is far inferior to that of the Super Bowl, as evidenced by its 1200 million viewers in 2001, which even fell below 900 million last year.

But the Book of Changes, based on this very principle, managed to more than triple the number of viewers!
Oh wait, that three-fold figure is based on the peak viewership of the 2001 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. If we take the 2005 viewership as a base, then the viewership driven by Zhou Yi this year has increased by a full 4.2 times!
A ratings frenzy! The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show went crazy because of him!

Spike saved Victoria's Secret!

Spike, the King of Ratings!

"Crisis Approaches—Our Next Generation Has Been Ideologically Colonized by the Chinese!"

The Bush administration, which allowed Spike to enter the US, was full of American traitors!

The Collapse of Cultural Influence!

"..."

In print media, along with the release of viewership ratings, a large number of non-entertainment newspapers had to jump on the bandwagon and join in the chorus of criticism against the Bush administration's inaction.

If Zhou Yi had been restricted from entering the United States from the beginning, there wouldn't be the situation where he can take whatever he wants now.
Why are all the people in the American music industry such a bunch of useless people? How could they let a non-native English-speaking Chinese person stand on their head and defecate?

Hollywood knows to band together to exclude Asians and prevent them from having a voice, so what the hell are you in the music industry doing?!

If the explosive global sales of "25" provided him with confidence in terms of music and profits, then this super-explosive and terrifying Victoria's Secret Fashion Show is undoubtedly a resounding slap in the face to traditional American media.

Unfortunately, their cries had no effect—they were like a helpless husband pretending to be asleep, only able to watch as the I Ching powerfully exported its message to the United States.

Not to mention that some media outlets, while verbally exaggerating the dangers, are actually contacting the Zhouyi team faster than anyone else behind the scenes, as everyone wants to get their hands on this unparalleled and highly sought-after resource.

To make money.

They talk a lot about ideas, but all they really care about is business. Dude, you're just saying "that's enough," but are you really going to boycott it?
If I were to colonize America with Spike's culture, just like you guys are saying, would it affect my ability to make money?

No, quite the opposite, he can even help me make money!

What kind of brainwashing is this? It's called win-win cooperation!

Haven't you seen how Edgar Jr. of the Bloomberg investment group is making a fortune following Spike's lead?

Apple, backed by the Music Store, has seen Spike take off like a madman!

Spike is about to return to China, and it will be the second half of next year before we can wait for him again. It would be a waste of life not to take advantage of the hype to get some news!
Didn't you see the reporter who made the decision to interview Spike? Now he's a regular guest on major TV stations, a big name in the interview world, and he's even managed to get interviews with several other heavyweight figures thanks to his credentials.

The opportunity to become a renowned reporter is within reach; act fast or miss out!

"Now, in addition to these newspapers and television stations, there is another heavyweight invitation that cannot be ignored."

"Who is it? Is the White House about to make a move?"

"...You're overthinking it. I was talking about the National Football League."

On the other end of the phone, the title that General Qian mentioned made Zhou Yi pause slightly: "The Super Bowl?"

He doesn't play rugby, so he neither understands nor has any interest in the sport, and he has never mentioned rugby in public.

He couldn't think of any other reason why this would come knocking on his door except for the Super Bowl halftime show.

"Yes, that's right, the Super Bowl."

Qian Jiang continued, "The Prince was already booked for the 07 Super Bowl, and the rehearsals have already started, so it can't be changed. That's why they want to invite you to the 08 Super Bowl halftime show, in case you don't have time and it clashes with your schedule."

In the past, the Super Bowl organizers might have assumed that as long as they extended an invitation, no one would refuse. But Zhou Yi is different; he actually dares to refuse…

Zhou Yi is not an American, but a Chinese man who doesn't even care about the Nobel Peace Prize.

Therefore, in order to ensure that the schedules would not overlap, an invitation to Zhou Yi for the halftime show was sent a year in advance, so that Zhou Yi's team could plan his schedule accordingly.

To be fair, this shows a lot of sincerity.

To be invited to the Super Bowl, an event of American Spring Festival Gala caliber, a year in advance, shows an even greater level of ambition than Michael Jackson did back in the day.

The main reason is that Zhou Yi himself has never submitted an application voluntarily.

Since Michael Jackson's time, the halftime show has become the biggest exposure stage for American music stars to compete for. Countless stars have submitted applications or expressed their willingness to participate, and the Super Bowl organizers still have to be selective.

Zhou Yi never even mentioned applying for the Super Bowl, let alone mentioning it. He didn't even hint at it in the interviews arranged by Warner Bros. The Super Bowl, which others flock to, seemed to Zhou Yi like a completely insignificant roadside event.

"Okay, then you can arrange it. Anyway, I'll be gradually leaving the music scene after 08. Before I leave, the last Super Bowl will be a grand slam achievement." Zhou Yi agreed casually, leaving it to Qian Jiang to handle, and then didn't bother to ask any more questions.

After so many years of collaboration, the two have long been the closest of partners.

"Hey, honey, what are you guys talking about?"

After the Chinese call, which was practically an encrypted call to foreigners, ended, Gisele Bündchen, wrapped in a bath towel, leaned against the man's latissimus dorsi, her chin affectionately rubbing against his right shoulder.

"It's nothing big, the Super Bowl just wants to invite me."

? ? ? ?
Even with all her experience and knowledge, Gisele Bündchen, the world's top supermodel, was momentarily stunned: "This isn't a big deal?"

The United States now has a total population of 300 million, and the Super Bowl's viewership has now evolved to nearly 100 million domestically.

What is the concept?
That means nearly a third of the U.S. population will watch the Super Bowl.

Even disregarding the elderly, the infirm, the disabled, and the young, it's no exaggeration to say that this was the biggest show ever seen in the entire United States.

It tastes like lettuce in a sandwich in your mouth.

"You are the most important thing to me, my dear."

As Zhou Yi ran his fingers through her soft hair and turned to put his phone aside, he blurted out, "Everything else is insignificant compared to you."

As it turns out, if you're with the right people, whatever you say will be right.

The world's number one supermodel pulled him down onto her, enjoying the weight of her well-trained muscles.

Unfortunately, Zhou Yi rejected her at the last minute.

"No, this is too..."

"Ok?"

To be fair, Zhou Yi's feelings towards Gisele Bündchen were so-so, but the allure of being the world's number one figure was undeniable, giving him a pleasurable sense of conquest.

Her swan-like neck swayed as she swallowed unconsciously, and tears unknowingly slid down her temples from the corners of her eyes.

"Ha! I almost suffocated, Spike!"

"Oh—Sha...Are you really going back to your country?"

"Of course, that's my home."

Despite Gisele Bündchen's attempts to retain her, Zhou Yi, who was still somewhat indifferent to her feelings, completely extinguished any hope she might have of rising in status.

"Ring ring ring!"

The phone rang again, but Zhou Yi glanced at it and ignored it.

"Aren't you going to answer?" Gisele Bündchen, drenched in sweat, struggled to turn her head, trying to get some rest.

"Well, if it's Leonardo calling, I can answer it for you."

"Okay, I'll be frank. I need to take a break. You can take over."

Zhou Yi laughed out loud and answered the phone: "What are you doing in the middle of the night instead of sleeping?"

It was Gao Yuanyuan calling; it was indeed late at night in China.

"I was in Europe for a film event and saw your glorious achievements as the king of ratings in the newspapers, so I came here specifically to offer my condolences."

Gao Yuanyuan's artistic voice came through the receiver: "Why did it take you so long to answer? Which woman were you fooling around with? Your new love, Gisele Bündchen?"

"You're supposed to be an artsy young woman, can't you talk to me about Shakespeare?"

Zhouyi: "..."

(End of this chapter)