What made Laila stand out the most was her unique aura.
Confidence was a wonderful thing—it radiated brightness that could affect those around her. Just as seeing someone dejected could bring others down, being around someone vibrant and full of life could lift everyone's spirits.
There was also something of a generational feel to her. When people looked at old photos of their parents, they often laughed at how outdated and "uncool" they looked. In contrast, the younger generation was trendier and more individualistic.
Laila had come from more than a decade into the future. The world she lived in was more advanced than the present day, so naturally, she carried an aura that was ahead of her time. In her era, many people shared this vibe, but here and now, she was unique. That made her all the more captivating.
And considering everything she had achieved, it was impossible for her not to attract attention.
Once they finished walking the red carpet and entered the venue, Laila finally spotted The Hurt Locker's director, Kathryn Bigelow—Cameron's ex-wife.
It was hard not to notice her, as she was standing face-to-face with Cameron, surrounded by an awkward vacuum of space spanning several meters.
The two of them smiled as they chatted, appearing perfectly cordial. Yet everyone nearby felt like they were standing on a battlefield as if bullets were flying through the air. Even Laila, watching from afar, got goosebumps and quickly gave up any idea of going over to say hello. Instead, she led her team to their seats.
"How do I look tonight?" Leonardo asked nervously, adjusting his bow tie.
Roy chuckled and brushed imaginary lint off his shoulder. "Very handsome, very cool. I guarantee everyone watching on TV will fall in love with you."
"I'm serious!" Leonardo glared at him. "I have a feeling—I think I might win tonight. Want to take a look at my acceptance speech?" He reached into his pocket to pull out a note.
Roy quickly pressed his hand down. "Do you not see all the cameras sweeping across us? If any of them catch you pulling out that speech, the viewers will have a field day."
Was he really that sure he'd win?
If he did win, it would be fine—they could explain it as confidence in his performance, justifying why he'd prepared a speech in advance. But if he lost, the ridicule would be brutal.
While it was common for nominees to privately prepare an acceptance speech, it was best kept out of sight. Being caught ahead of time would be embarrassing.
Leonardo realized how amateurish he was being and chuckled awkwardly, withdrawing his hand. "I'm just really nervous, man."
"What are you nervous about? It's not like you haven't won before."
Indeed, back in 2005, he'd won the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Drama for The Aviator. That's what Roy was referring to, finding Leo's nerves amusing.
"You don't understand!" Leonardo said. "I have this feeling—if I can win Best Actor again here, I'll win at the Oscars too!"
Laila found his reasoning amusing and turned to smile at him. "Then how come you didn't win Best Actor at the Oscars last time after winning the Golden Globe?"
Leonardo was momentarily at a loss. "You're impossible! Anyway, I just have that feeling!"
Laila and Roy exchanged a smile and didn't pursue the topic further.
As they chatted, the awards ceremony officially began.
The Golden Globes were excellent at marketing themselves. In terms of professionalism, the awards weren't all that authoritative—more like a blend of Oscar predictor and popularity contest.
After all, they were organized by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, with only 96 members, two-thirds of whom were part-time journalists.
Besides, the fact that they awarded both film and television categories already said something about their "expertise."
The main reason the Golden Globes remained influential was their marketing. You could say they lacked authority, but they had a huge audience.
And what does a large audience mean? It means greater exposure for participants and a bigger boost in fame.
Of course, some people truly cared about artistic recognition, but most were also interested in fame and fortune—especially actors. Even a complete unknown could skyrocket to global stardom by standing on that stage. "Overnight success" was no exaggeration.
"Did you hear?" Leonardo leaned over again. "At the Critics' Choice Awards a few days ago, The Hurt Locker won Best Director and Best Picture. Word is Cameron's face turned dark as a thundercloud."
"I heard," Laila nodded. She hadn't attended that awards ceremony three days ago since she was still out of town. Roy originally wanted to go, but she asked him to stay. She didn't care much for that particular award—Louise had accepted it on their behalf.
It was a good thing she didn't go—otherwise, she would've left empty-handed anyway. ╮(╯﹏╰)╭
Laila wasn't blind to the fact that some critics disliked her. She had often used box office success to slap critics in the face, so it was only natural that some harbored resentment. Cooper, for instance, had been well-connected in Hollywood's critic circles. Even though he had faded from the scene, his friends likely didn't hold Laila in high regard. While plenty of critics did admire her work, sometimes, all it took was a small group of detractors to make a difference.
Unlike more authoritative awards, the Golden Globes didn't hand out too many trophies. They probably knew their limitations and didn't bother with technical categories.
For movies, the focus was on the major acting awards, Best Director, and Best Picture. To attract more attention, the Globes split the acting categories into two: Drama and Musical/Comedy.
Since audiences loved watching the big-name actors accept awards, the Globes simply doubled the fun. Two sets of Best Actor and Best Actress awards meant more eye candy for viewers. Of course, only the lead actor and actress categories received this special treatment — they didn't bother with supporting roles.
There were plenty of noteworthy films this year: the hilarious The Hangover, the sweet indie romance 500 Days of Summer, and Up in the Air — all earning strong audience praise.
One film worth mentioning was District 9, which had premiered during last year's summer season. While some didn't appreciate its mockumentary format, its deeper themes and thought-provoking content were remarkable — even unsettling upon reflection.