America: Child stars start with The Shining

Chapter 99 Who Will Win?

Charles and Judy arrived early; at that time, the other actors at their table had not yet entered the venue.

The two had barely sat down when a staff member strode over from the backstage area.

The other person first glanced at the nameplate on the table to confirm Judy's location before bending down and speaking to her in a low voice.

After listening, Judy nodded slightly and said, "I understand, I'll be right there."

After saying that, she stood up, seemingly preparing to leave with the staff.

Charles raised an eyebrow slightly as he watched her movements.

Judy noticed his gaze, stopped before leaving, turned around and explained, "I need to go backstage to prepare."

"I am the host for this year's Young Artist Award. The staff came over to ask me to confirm the process in advance."

Charles wasn't too surprised to hear this.

After all, according to the tradition of the Young Artist Award, the host usually selects from among the young actors present.

Looking at the entire venue tonight, Jodie Foster is undoubtedly the biggest star and the one who can best command the stage.

Therefore, it was only natural that this task eventually fell to her.

Charles leaned back in his chair and said in a deliberately regretful tone, "I see."

"Then there will be no one to chat with me and help me get through this long awards ceremony. That's such a shame."

Judy glanced at him, looking at his pretentious expression, and said irritably, "Weren't you just looking at other people?"

"Alright, I'm not going to waste any more time with you. I'm going now."

Having said that, she stopped arguing with Charles, after all, the staff were still waiting nearby, and there were many procedures backstage that she needed to prepare in advance.

Judy straightened her skirt and turned to leave.

After taking only two steps, she seemed to suddenly remember something and turned back to add, "Wait for me to come back."

Charles watched her departing figure, a slight twitch at the corner of his mouth, his expression somewhat helpless.

Why did I have to give him a special reminder at the end?

It made him seem like some kind of little kid who might get lost at any moment.

He looked away and exhaled softly.

After Judy left, Ciel sat alone in his seat. There weren't many people around yet, so he suddenly felt quite relaxed.

He casually picked up the program on the table and flipped through it.

The process for this year's Young Artist Award was not particularly complicated.

The awards ceremony began with several television categories, followed by awards for GG, stage plays, and films, interspersed with performance segments.

Compared to the solemn awards ceremony like the Oscars, the atmosphere here is noticeably more relaxed, with child actors brought in by their parents and agents everywhere in the venue.

Not far away, Brooke Shields had also finished her interview.

On her way back to her seat from the media area, she happened to see Charles, and their eyes met briefly.

Brooke Shields gave him a polite smile and nodded slightly.

Charles also raised his hand in greeting.

However, the other party did not seem to have any intention of coming over to exchange pleasantries.

Charles was not surprised by this.

They had only collaborated once because of CKGG, and were far from being very familiar with each other.

Moreover, in this situation where the media reporters have not completely dispersed, maintaining a little distance is not a bad thing for either of them.

Soon, the other actors also entered the venue one after another.

The previously empty seats were gradually filled, and the surrounding conversations increased.

Suddenly, Charles felt a tap on his back.

"Hey, how come I have to run into you, you annoying guy, in a place like this?"

Upon hearing the voice, he immediately knew who it was without even turning around.

After all, there aren't many actors his age who can greet someone in a way that sounds like a provocation.

Charles turned his head and, sure enough, saw Drew Barrymore sitting at the next table, his hands supporting his chin, smiling at him.

Since the last time the two of them participated in a CNN program recording together, Charles has not seen the other again.

Drew wore a light-colored dress today, and her hair was carefully styled, making her look even more adorable.

However, the expression on her face remained unchanged, still that clever yet slightly irritating look.

Charles glanced at her and said calmly, "I never expected to run into you at the awards ceremony."

"If I remember correctly, you didn't have any movies to act in this year, right? Why did the organizers invite you along?"

"What are you doing here? Just here to join the fun?"

He's always been very aggressive towards Drew.

Upon hearing this, Drew's eyes widened, his face flushed red, and he opened his mouth but couldn't utter a word.

"Fuck! Ciel, you're a complete bastard!"

She snorted and rolled her eyes. Then, she looked Charles up and down, as if she had suddenly noticed something, and said, "But you're actually dressed quite well today."

Charles replied listlessly, "Thank you for the compliment."

Drew immediately added, "Don't get too cocky! I'm just here to watch, but if you don't win an award, I'll definitely laugh at you!"

Upon hearing this, Charles's expression remained unchanged. He simply glanced at her calmly and said, "Then you're probably going to be disappointed."

The implication was clear: Drew wouldn't have a chance to mock him.

Just as Drew was about to retort, a little boy in a dark suit walked over.

He was accompanied by a well-dressed woman, presumably his mother.

Charles first glanced at the other person, then shifted his gaze to the nameplate on the table.

Justin Henry.

He finally arrived.

The two looked at each other, and then, very tacitly, neither of them spoke first.

The atmosphere at the table suddenly became somewhat awkward.

Although neither of them is very old, they are both very clear about their respective identities on this occasion tonight.

Competitors.

Moreover, they are the most direct competitors.

Only one person can have the last laugh and take home the trophy that represents the best young male actor in a film.

Charles sat in his seat and watched Justin sit opposite him.

Well, she's not as tall as him, doesn't seem as handsome, and is a bit reserved.

Drew, sitting at the next table, became intrigued when he saw the two men fall into a strange silence.

She had originally planned to continue mocking Charles, but now she swallowed her words back, resting her chin on her hands and waiting expectantly to see what would happen.