Entertainment: Starting as a Succubus, Taking Hollywood by Storm

The 75th Academy Awards ceremony was broadcast live on ABC.

With the red carpet event canceled this year, the cameras focused primarily on the prominent stars inside the venue. Martin and Leonardo, chatting casually, became the most frequently captured pair.

Before long, a sharp-eyed cameraman zoomed in on the peculiar anti-war badge on Martin's lapel, offering a close-up. This image, broadcast live, caught the attention of countless viewers at home.

"What's this badge?"

"It seems to have anti-war phrases on it."

"Looks beautiful!"

"I want one too!"

Even before the Oscars began, the online chatter was in full swing.

Martin, with his multifaceted identity, had garnered a massive global fan base. Every move he made was closely watched and often emulated. The badge on his lapel was poised to become a major trend if it were ever mass-produced.

Due to the absence of pre-ceremony entertainment, attendees mingled in the hall, exchanging pleasantries while awaiting the ceremony.

"Nicole, congratulations are in order," Martin said warmly as he approached Nicole Kidman, who was seated near the aisle. They shared a light embrace. Not far away, Tom Cruise happened to glance over, his expression darkening.

Sensing the gaze, Martin glanced back and smirked faintly before turning his attention back to Nicole. "So, how does it feel to be nominated for Best Actress a second time?"

Nicole smiled graciously. "It's just a nomination. Winning seems unlikely, especially since it's only been three years since my last win."

Martin leaned closer, a mysterious smile playing on his lips. "Don't be so sure."

Nicole's eyes sparkled with curiosity.

The Hours, a co-production between Myers Pictures and Paramount, marked the beginning of collaboration between Martin and Sherry Lansing. The film intricately wove the lives of three women from different eras with Virginia Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway.

For Martin, investing in this film wasn't about profit. It was about elevating Nicole to a pedestal, showcasing the unparalleled clout of Myers Pictures in the awards circuit.

With the groundwork already laid with key Academy voters, Martin leaned in to whisper in Nicole's ear, "Be ready to make your acceptance speech." His lips lightly brushed her earlobe in the process—a calculated move. Positioned strategically, the cameras either captured his back or his profile, shielding the intimate gesture from view.

Unaware of the subtlety, Nicole felt her heart race. She glanced around nervously but saw no unusual reactions.

Then she noticed a pair of angry eyes.

She locked gazes with Tom Cruise—her ex-husband.

If viewed from his vantage point, he might have glimpsed the subtle interaction between Martin and her. But so what? She wasn't Mrs. Cruise anymore. She was Nicole Kidman, free to do as she pleased.

Lifting her chin defiantly, Nicole met Tom's glare with a look of disdain, her lips curving into a faintly mocking smile.

Unbeknownst to Nicole, Tom hadn't witnessed the full interaction due to the distance of four rows. He only assumed Martin had leaned in to whisper something to her. Yet, even this was enough to irritate him.

For some reason, the sight of Martin getting close to his ex-wife left Tom uneasy. Perhaps it was because Martin seemed fully capable of giving Nicole the happiness she deserved.

Martin continued his rounds, stopping next at the Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers section.

"Hi, Peter."

"Hello, Martin."

"Hi, Kate."

"Hello, Martin."

"Hello, our beautiful Arwen."

"Hello, our dashing Legolas," Martin teased, earning a laugh from Liv Tyler.

"Hi, Orlando."

"Great to see you, Martin," Orlando Bloom replied warmly.

After greeting the cast and crew, Martin turned to Peter Jackson. "Best Picture or Best Director—I have a feeling we'll win one."

Peter Jackson, unlike Nicole, wasn't attuned to Martin's implications. He laughed and replied, "I hope so. If I do make it to the stage, you can be sure I'll thank you properly."

Martin eventually settled with the The Matrix team as the opening music for the ceremony played. Host Steve Martin took the stage to kick off the proceedings.

"Folks, it's great to see you here instead of in Afghanistan or Iraq. You're alive, and that's fantastic."

Laughter erupted across the room.

Martin, however, was bewildered. What's so funny? He had lived in the U.S. for 16-Years but still couldn't grasp certain local humor. Suppressing his confusion, he conjured a convincing smile, nodding and clapping along.

"This is probably the most bare-bones Oscars I've ever seen. Blame it on little Bush—his poor brain is so preoccupied with war there's no room for anything else."

This time, Martin genuinely chuckled. Jabs at Bush's expense? Now that was a brand of humor he could get behind.

Steve Martin continued with his witty monologue while weaving in performances and nominee reels. Martin alternated between genuine and feigned laughter, blending seamlessly with the audience. Except—he felt a distinct gaze lingering on him.

Harvey Weinstein.

When their eyes met, Harvey offered an enigmatic smile before averting his gaze.

Martin understood immediately.

That smile said it all: Let's see who wins more major Oscars tonight.

Harvey was confident. He had already secured nods of approval from key Academy members for Best Picture and Best Supporting Actress, among other accolades. Meanwhile, Martin's most likely win was Nicole Kidman for Best Actress. But Nicole had already won the award in 2000. Harvey doubted the Academy would bestow it upon her again so soon.

As for The Matrix, The Lord of the Rings, and The Bourne Identity, their box-office success worked against them. In the eyes of the Oscars, being too commercially successful was a liability.