The Road to Superstardom: Starting as a Singer

Huang Weijie went to the first row.

After nodding to the Italian designers and the editor-in-chief of French Vogue sitting in front of him.

He then sat down in the center.

On the left is Cate Blanchett, and on the right is Leonardo DiCaprio.

Although the lights in the show venue were dimmed, the show hadn't started yet.

Taking advantage of the last bit of time, Huang Weijie took the initiative to greet them.

He turned to Kate first: "Ms. Blanchett, it's a pleasure to sit next to you. I'm a fan of yours; I enjoyed watching both 'Elizabeth' and 'The Aviator'."

Kate turned her head; she was wearing ivory white trousers today, and her short blonde hair still shone brightly in the dim light.

She glanced at Huang Weijie for two seconds, then gave him an elegant smile: "Just call me Kate. I saw your official announcement photos from yesterday; they were very well taken."

She paused for a moment, then said, "My son is a fan of yours, and he insisted that I get your autograph."

"That would be my honor," Huang Weijie said with a smile. "Do I need an autograph?"

"If possible, write 'To Roman'—that's my son's name."

Huang Weijie nodded, then turned to the right.

Leonardo DiCaprio was looking at him at that moment.

Leonardo DiCaprio, now 34, has shed the naivety of his Titanic days and developed the angular features of a mature man.

Compared to other celebrities on the scene, he appeared very casual, leaning back in his chair with a relaxed posture.

"Mr. DiCaprio," Huang Weijie said, extending his hand.

Leonardo gripped his hand firmly: "Haha, just call me Leo. Jace, right? I've been hearing your songs everywhere lately."

"I hope I'm not tired of hearing it," Huang Weijie joked.

Leonardo laughed. "You're very handsome now, but I used to be just as good, kid."

"How could that be? Your music is so energetic, it reminds me of my youth."

Faced with a handsome and academically gifted young man, Leonardo didn't mind chatting a bit more, just to... reminisce about his past self.

"You know what, your current situation is a bit like mine was back then."

"The current state? Oh~ Titanic!"

"Haha~ okay... I knew everyone would talk about this movie when they saw me." Leonardo smiled helplessly.

"NO! In fact, I love watching your 'Catch Me If You Can't Be This Cute' and 'The Departed'." Huang Weijie listed the movies Leonardo DiCaprio has starred in.

"Don't you have 'The Aviator'? I overheard your conversation with Kate just now."

"Of course! In fact, I've also seen 'Gangs of New York,' as well as the documentary 'The 11th Hour,' which you wrote and starred in last year..."

"Haha, come on! I believe you've seen my movies, well, at least you've done some serious research." Leonardo laughed and pointed at Huang Weijie, seemingly helpless but actually admiring.

"By the way, Mr. DiCaprio, what state were you referring to earlier?"

"Hmm... how should I put it? It's that feeling of being the center of the world, the center of everyone's attention. You've felt that way, haven't you? Everywhere you go, there are screams and flashing lights, everyone around you..."

Huang Weijie listened attentively.

Looking at Leonardo DiCaprio in front of him, he did feel a bit emotional.

The man in front of me was still handsome, and I could still see the shadow of "Jack" from back then in his eyes and brows, but he had indeed started to gain weight and the marks of time were on his face.

This change is not regrettable; on the contrary, it adds a mature charm.

"Jace, time flies. You're only 16 now, and you may feel like the future is long, but believe me, in the blink of an eye you'll be my age."

He paused, his eyes turning serious: "So, enjoy the moment, but don't let the moment define you. What others say is their opinion; stick to your own! Don't be influenced. Music, movies, fashion... these are just ways of expression. The most important thing is what you want to say through them."

These words went beyond mere polite small talk.

Huang Weijie was somewhat surprised, but quickly nodded. Just as he was about to speak, the lights went completely dark and music started playing.

Their conversation naturally ended, but both Huang Weijie and Leonardo had developed a somewhat favorable impression of each other.

This might stem from the subtle resonance between handsome men, or it could be from their strikingly similar experiences.

They were all in the spotlight during the most brilliant years of their lives.

This feeling is indescribable unless you've experienced it yourself.

This is why Leonardo DiCaprio treated Huang Weijie differently and said so much to him.

He doesn't really care about Huang Weijie now, as he's an actor and a member of Hollywood's $2000 million club.

Among the industry's seniors with outstanding achievements and honors, none are as dazzling as him, and among his peers and juniors, none have his achievements. Basically, all scripts have to go through his hands. Under such circumstances, whether or not to talk to Huang Weijie is entirely up to him.

Even if you ignore Huang Weijie, it won't have much impact on him.

But perhaps it's because Huang Weijie is so similar to his former self—equally handsome and outstanding, equally the center of attention, and equally gifted…

So, when Leonardo saw another "self," he couldn't help but say a few words.

Huang Weijie's positive impression of Leonardo DiCaprio is much more pragmatic. Regardless of the latter's private life, the fact that he has never fallen out of the $2000 million club is enough to demonstrate his strength and value.

More importantly, the other party has many classic films. Not to mention the distant past, just two years later, "Inception" is a masterpiece with good reviews and high box office.

Befriending Leonardo DiCaprio now could be a valuable asset if he has the opportunity to audition later.

……

The music at the event wasn't typical electronic show music, but rather a piano and cello duet with a slow, deep melody.

If I had to describe it, it would be a melancholic beauty reminiscent of Italian aesthetics.

The first spotlight shone down, illuminating the far end of the runway.

The first model walked out wearing a dark gray silk dress. The dress had no embellishments and relied entirely on the drape and luster of the fabric to create a sense of luxury.

Her steps were slow, as if she were walking on water.

Then came the second, the third...

The theme of Armani's Spring/Summer 2009 collection is "Flowing Shadows".

The main color scheme is dark colors such as black, gray, dark blue, and dark green, but the use of flowing fabrics such as silk, velvet, and chiffon makes the heaviness feel light.

The tailoring makes extensive use of bias cuts and asymmetrical designs, breaking away from the rigid framework of traditional suits.

Huang Weijie watched intently. Although he didn't understand much about these so-called designs, he believed that putting on a good show was the most basic requirement for a celebrity.

As the last model walked back, the lights came back on.

Giorgio Armani himself walked out from backstage.

The 74-year-old design master wore his signature navy blue jacket, gray trousers, and his hair was meticulously combed back.

He walked to the center of the catwalk and bowed to the entire audience.

There was thunderous applause.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Giorgio Armani began shaking hands with the important guests in the front row one by one.

This naturally included Huang Weijie. When he walked up to Huang Weijie, he even stopped, patted the latter on the shoulder, and talked to him with a smile.

What he said is unknown to others, but his action was captured by all the media present.

That evening and into the following day, Huang Weijie dominated the headlines of global fashion media.

Apart from a few spontaneous attempts to ride the wave, most influential media outlets received gifts from Armani and Madeleine's team.

Vogue Italy's official website: "New Faces Define New Elegance: Why Was Huang Weijie So Stunning on the Red Carpet?"

Harper's Bazaar US Twitter: "Most unforgettable moment of Milan Fashion Week 2008: Huang Weijie's absolute composure amidst a barrage of flashing lights!"

ELLE China Special Feature: "From Singer to Top Spokesperson: Huang Weijie's Fashion Evolution"

South Korean magazine Ceci: "Hwang Wei-jeong, the exotic charm that shines at the Armani show."

Neon "Zhuoyuan" news: "アルマーニが选んだ16year-old genius (the 16-year-old genius selected by Armani)"

The Guardian's fashion column: "The Rise of the Eastern Gentleman: How Huang Weijie Redefines Male Fashion Icons"

French newspaper Le Figaro: "A new face for Armani: Jace Huang, the revelation of Milan."

People magazine's website: "Jace Huang's Meteoric Rise: From Pop Sensation to Fashion Icon"

China's *Beijing News*: "Huang Weijie Shines in Milan: The Cultural Confidence Behind Armani's Global Ambassador"

GQ previews: "Exclusive interview to be published tomorrow: A conversation with Armani's new global ambassador, Huang Weijie."

Money paved the way, and with Huang Weijie's album being very popular at the time, he became an instant hot topic.

Everyone knows that a newcomer has arrived in the fashion world, but this newcomer doesn't seem like someone to mess with.

Before fans at home and abroad could even get excited, other brands that had collaborated with Huang Weijie also seized the opportunity to launch joint marketing campaigns.

With such a huge level of discussion, if you don't try to get some exposure, then your respective marketing departments should be fired.

Sennheiser, the first German high-end audio brand to collaborate with Huang Weijie, was the first to respond.

They posted a photo on their official Twitter account of Huang Weijie wearing Sennheiser HD600 headphones while working in the recording studio.

The caption reads: "Exceptional sound requires exceptional equipment! Congratulations to our partner @JaceHuang on becoming a global ambassador for @Armani. True talent will always be recognized. #JaceXArmani #PerfectSound"

This tweet was translated into various languages ​​and simultaneously posted on accounts in different countries.

Sennheiser took the opportunity to promote its new in-ear headphones, emphasizing that they were "the same monitoring devices used by Huang Weijie when recording 'As Long As You Love Me'".

There's nothing wrong with using one's own official account to tag another brand account, as long as it increases brand exposure. Besides, Armani isn't a competitor of his.

Sennheiser successfully ate the first bite of cake.

Walmart's marketing team also reacted quickly.

Not long after, they launched a "Jace Huang Back to School Season" section on their official website homepage, enlarged and pinned Huang Weijie's GG poster to the top, with the caption: "We discovered this star a long time ago."

Even more cleverly, Walmart listed Jace Huang's album "Jace Huang" physical CD as a "back-to-school recommended item" and offered a bundled discount: purchase any back-to-school supplies totaling $30 or more and add $5.99 to get the album CD.

This strategy directly boosted physical album sales in second- and third-tier cities in the United States, because digital music penetration rates were lower in these areas compared to major cities like Los Angeles and New York, so physical sales actually increased significantly as a result.

This move... well, it just goes to show that Walmart, as the largest retailer in the United States, has a keen sense of smell and immediately detected the business opportunity.

This is not over yet.

A&F updated its visual content simultaneously on its website and electronic screens in stores worldwide.

In the original autumn GG image, Huang Weijie's image was enlarged, with the words "A&F FAMILY— JACE HUANG" added next to him in gold.

They also released a short video on YouTube: behind-the-scenes footage of Huang Weijie on the A&FGG shooting set, ending with a shot of him smiling at the camera, with the caption: "From A&F to Armani, the style remains the same."

They still have their own agenda. As a fellow clothing brand, Armani doesn't feature any information about Armani in their own promotional images, but they're frantically trying to ride the coattails of Armani's popularity online.

However, Armani didn't care about this little trick.

Instead of offering direct congratulations, Nike released a series of "behind-the-scenes training" photos: candid shots of Huang Weijie wearing Nike sneakers while practicing dance in a Los Angeles dance studio, his hair damp with sweat, his focused gaze, and his physique occasionally revealed.

Caption: "Greatness is not accidental. Countless hours of practice are needed before making headlines. #JustDoIt #JaceHuang"

They also specifically tagged Armani's official account, creating a subtle brand dialogue.

On one side is the king of the sports field, and on the other side is a giant in the fashion industry, both recognizing the same young person.

This tweet is currently the most popular among fans.

Ever since they saw Huang Weijie's shirtless performance in the music video, they've wanted to see other similar photos and videos of him sweating or showing off his physique.

Unfortunately, whether it's what Huang Weijie posts on social media or what the media captures, they are all relatively "complete" images.

They may like their idols to be perfect, but being perfect all the time makes them less surprising.

While the candid shots released by Nike this time weren't as perfect as those taken by the media, some fans found them quite appealing.

If asked how it feels, a high-EQ answer would be:

It's like seeing a vibrant, energetic young man quietly working towards his dream...

A more honest answer:

I have more bedtime material to help me fall asleep!

In addition, Pepsi also uploaded a compilation of outtakes of Huang Weijie filming GG on YouTube.

Like Nike, Pepsi also chose a different approach, with the NG compilation mostly consisting of Huang Weijie laughing during the scenes.

But this genuine and endearing scene brought Huang Weijie even closer to ordinary consumers, and the video garnered over 500 million views in 24 hours.

The last apple was rather understated, but it was also the most significant.

Instead of issuing a press release, they updated an article on their official website's "Celebrity Experiences" section titled "Jace Huang: Capturing Milan Moments with an iPhone 3G".

The article, written in the first person, describes how Huang Weijie used his iPhone to record his experiences in Milan: fans at the airport, Armani headquarters, street scenes...

The accompanying photo was taken with his mobile phone and was unedited. Although it is not quite as good as a camera photo, it is authentic.

(Whether Huang Weijie took the photo or not is unimportant; what matters is that they say Huang Weijie personally took the photo with his iPhone.)

Without spending money on high-profile promotion, this move both generated buzz around Huang Weijie and successfully promoted the product.

It's like Qin Shi Huang touching an electric shock gate – he's won so badly he's completely lost!

The result of the collaboration among six brands was that the keyword popularity of "Huang Weijie" and "Armani" reached an alarming level on September 20th.

Google Trends data shows that global related searches increased by 4300% in a single day.

On Twitter, interactions between the six official brand accounts that collaborated with Huang Weijie attracted a total of over 300 million clicks.

Huang Weijie has covered all the popular trends on internet platforms in various countries.

Whether he's popular or not no longer needs special promotion. Anyone with internet access can see trending headlines like #HuangWeijieArmaniGlobalAmbassador# and #HuangWeijieMilanFlashPhotos#.

There's absolutely no need for further explanation; the terms are clearly stated in the entry.

One country can say it was bought with money, and two countries can say it was just a lucky break, but Huang Weijie's case is not as simple as just one or two countries.

This has made headlines in most countries in Europe, America, and East Asia.

Young fans are expressing their excitement online.

"God knows how many times I've watched that GIF under the flash! Every time I see it, I'm blown away!!"

"I've already bought three albums as gifts for my foreign colleagues, proudly telling them, 'These are singers from China!'"

"What does it mean to be an Armani global ambassador? Previously it was George Clooney and Cate Blanchett! This shows that in the top fashion world, our boss is already a firmly established A-list celebrity!"

"I'll just ask you one question: who else?!"

"솔직히말해서, 이런아시아인얼굴을가진리더가밀라노에서이런대우를받는걸보니나도 "자랑스럽다." (To be honest, I feel proud when I see an Asian face like the boss being treated like this in Milan.)

「대표님의앨범이멜론차트에서3주연속10위안에 들었어요.우리국민들도대표님의음악을많이즐기고 "있네요." (The boss's album has been in the top ten on the MelOn list for three consecutive weeks. I think our countrymen also really like his music.)

「アジア人がこのようなリソースを得られるのは、private たちの东アジアの芸全集"It's a good thing for Asians to have access to this kind of resource."

「のボディプロポーションは本道に素清らしい. 16歳だって文いたんだけど、こんなshoulderとウエストのバラン"スって本道にあるのか?" (His body proportions are really amazing. I heard that he is only 16 years old. Is this kind of shoulder and waistline ratio real?)

"Jace is literally everywhere today, oh my god!"

"All these brands are posting about him...that's power!"

As long as a tweet or article contains "Huang Weijie" or "Jace Huang", people will like, comment and retweet it (an old-fashioned version of one-click triple combo).

The internet is booming.

For young people who particularly like Huang Weijie, it was like a holiday.

Some fangirls also have another characteristic: they like to show off, or rather, "recommend" celebrities.

Because the idol she idolizes must have one characteristic or ability that attracts her, such as looks, singing, dancing, etc.

Therefore, when they discover that their idol's characteristic or ability has been recognized and has become popular, they will inevitably proudly "recommend" it to the people around them.

But celebrities aren't money, so why would everyone love them?

Take Huang Weijie, for example. Although news about him is all over the internet these days, his influence is mainly limited to teenagers. Older people might have heard of him, but most of them don't care about him.

This is true even domestically.

Those who have already started working know that Huang Weijie is very famous overseas, but at most they just think that this kid is amazing and makes us Chinese people proud.

And then... that was it.

I won't come to like Huang Weijie because of this; at most, I'll just have an impression of him.

Of course, if Huang Weijie continues to be popular, then this "impression" can develop into fame and national recognition.

However, it's too early to talk about national popularity for Huang Weijie, who is only 16 years old.

Unfortunately, some people online have already started to lose interest in him.

There's no other reason than that he's been frequently posting on social media lately, and his fans are constantly making a fuss online, which has led some people to become indifferent to him or even dislike him.

This is indeed an innocent matter, but there's nothing we can do about it; Huang Weijie is now pursuing an idol career.

While the overflowing "love" from fans may provoke some resentment from casual observers, such things are hard to avoid.

After all, they spend real money to support this, just to show off their superiority to others.

See? My idol is not only handsome, talented, and sings well, but he also has the recognition of so many people. Now, even big brands are vying to collaborate with him!

In psychology, this phenomenon is explained as follows: when individuals lack a sense of accomplishment in real life, they may obtain vicarious satisfaction through the achievements of their idols.

Therefore, flaunting the success of idols is like showcasing one's own achievements, which can alleviate feelings of powerlessness in reality.

It may sound naive, but it's true.

To prove that your favorite idol is the best.

These are their most basic ideas, but they might accidentally hurt others in the process, or even become self-indulgent in extreme cases.

For example: I would stand against the whole world for you!

Fortunately, these symptoms are only in their early stages and are relatively easy to manage. Huang Weijie doesn't want to be forced to fight against the world later!