Actor in Hollywood

Inside the Chieftain Theatre, Bob Iger maintained a calm and composed demeanor, effortlessly engaging in conversations, networking, and showcasing Disney's poise and confidence. 

But in truth, he was like a duck paddling furiously beneath the water, striving to keep his exterior calm.

His inner anxiety and apprehension were uncontrollable.

From the current situation, the promotional impact of "The Princess Diaries" premiere seemed underwhelming. It was likely that the boost to the opening weekend box office would be limited, and it seemed doubtful that they could break through the dominance of "Rush Hour 2," casting a shadow over the film's box office prospects.

So, what should they do?

Perhaps they should have pinned their hopes on "The Princess Diaries" from the start. After all, this film was never positioned to be a heavyweight box office hit from its production phase. Expecting the movie to play such a role now was indeed a stretch, and their last-minute strategy was still too rushed.

A whirlwind of thoughts surged through his mind.

Though they weren't panicking, they knew they needed to prepare for both possibilities—

Should they continue to increase promotional spending and ramp up their efforts? Or should they change their strategy?

Just then—

Boom!

A wave of unbelievable excitement erupted outside the theatre, causing everyone to turn and look. Even those not present could feel the air vibrate as the rolling heatwave instantly filled the Chieftain Theatre lobby.

And it was still climbing.

"Ah! Ahhh!"

"It seems Julie must have arrived. As expected, Mary Poppins still has incredible star power." Someone guessed, and people exchanged glances. Even among them, there was a certain level of anticipation for Julie Andrews.

Bob felt a bit more at ease. It seemed their decision to focus on Julie as the centerpiece of their promotion was the right move. Perhaps they should consider having Julie appear on a few talk shows next to further increase exposure and stir up viewers' childhood memories.

"No, Julie hasn't arrived yet. It's the film's male lead, Anson, who just stepped onto the red carpet."

Someone nearby clarified.

"Apparently, Anson's look is stunningly unconventional, sparking a massive buzz at the theatre's entrance. The reporters have gone wild."

Everyone looked at each other, unsure whether to be happy or concerned—

Attention and buzz were good things, but controversy over his appearance? That was something Disney did not want.

Bob: ?

Anson, who? Is there even a male lead in *The Princess Diaries*? What level of controversy could his appearance have sparked? Michael Eisner needed this controversy the least right now; even if *The Princess Diaries* bombed at the box office, that would be manageable. However, any controversy could provide the board with an excuse to challenge him.

For Disney, they would rather endure some box office pressure than risk damaging their image.

Bob felt a wave of irritation. Keeping his composure, he calmly headed towards the entrance. Although he managed to restrain himself and kept his emotions hidden, everyone present was sharp enough to understand the significance of this action.

The atmosphere grew slightly tense.

Meanwhile, outside the Chieftain Theatre, Anne Hathaway arrived and was immediately overwhelmed by the wave of excitement that filled the air. The red carpet was crowded with a dense sea of people, stretching endlessly, leaving her feeling uncertain—

Amidst the excitement and exhilaration, she felt a surge of nervousness and anxiety.

Anne leaned forward, asking, "Did a lot of people show up today?"

After all, this was Anne's first official appearance as an actress, and compared to Anson, she was inexperienced, naturally feeling more apprehensive.

"Not sure. Something unusual is going on. But I heard Anson just arrived."

Someone in front of her explained.

Anne let out a small breath of relief. "Anson's already here? That's great."

Her anxiety and nervousness eased slightly, and she managed a smile.

"I'm ready."

The car slowly pulled up at the entrance of the Chieftain Theatre.

Anne gathered the lace hem of her dress, took another deep breath, suppressed her nerves, and flashed a sweet smile, finally ready to step into the spotlight and officially embark on her acting career—

It was at this moment that reality began to set in, like ice cubes dropping into her stomach, causing it to contract and cramp.

Pop.

The car door opened.

There was no time for hesitation; Anne stepped out.

A wave of heat rushed at her, and the dense crowd filled her entire field of vision. The silver flash of cameras poured down like a waterfall, drowning out sight and sound, plunging the world into darkness and silence. Her right foot, which had just stepped out, suddenly lost its footing, and without warning, she lost her balance and began to fall.

"Got you."

In the silence, a voice echoed in her ear. Before she could even react, her right hand was grasped, and her right shoulder and body felt a supportive force. The chaotic, teetering balance was restored, and a warm current enveloped her, calming the storm.

A ray of sunlight broke through the darkness.

Then, Anne saw Anson's eyes, deep and clear like the Aegean Sea in August, with gentle waves rippling under the lazy sunlight, making her feel at peace.

"Careful, Your Highness."

The teasing remark brought Anne back to reality, and she shut her eyes in mild frustration, a grimace crossing her face.

"Did everyone see that?"

"Haha." Anson's laugh resonated in his chest as he reassured her, "It's alright, we covered it up well. I doubt anyone noticed."

Click.

Click, click, click.

The shutters clicked furiously, and the commotion around them continued unabated. Anne could feel her skin growing warm, realizing the situation was far from simple—

Not only had they noticed, but they had also captured it on camera.

How embarrassing.

Was this really her first public appearance?

But, surprisingly, Anson's voice lingering in her ear made the overwhelming atmosphere recede like the tide. Her frantic heartbeat slowly calmed down, and strength returned.

With Anson by her side, maybe this wasn't so bad after all.

"Come on, hold onto my hand, steady yourself, straighten your knees, and regain your balance."

"Stand up straight."

"Keep calm, smile, pretend nothing happened, and keep moving."

"If you're confident, no one else's gaze will matter."

Anson's words brought a smile back to Anne's face.

Click, click, click…

When Bob Iger returned to the entrance of the Chieftain Theatre, he witnessed the scene.

The entire venue was lit up by camera flashes, and all the reporters simultaneously pressed their shutters, without any shouting or cheering. The sound of the shutters alone created waves of echoes down Hollywood Boulevard.

In the silver glow, two figures at the start of the red carpet could be vaguely seen—

A princess in a beautiful dress was stepping out of her car, while a graceful knight extended his left hand to help her make her entrance. The white lace of her gown swayed gently in the breeze.

They exchanged a glance, their smiles growing as the small crisis was resolved, and their understanding was clear. The princess was now standing on solid ground.

Side by side, a perfect match, they looked as if they had stepped out of a painting. It was so flawless, it seemed unreal, as if time had stopped in that moment.

A classic, immortalized.