"I do need to apologize for this matter. I've always thought of myself as a director, someone who should stay behind the camera. I tell stories through the lens and bring the worlds I create to life on film. So, participating in shows and such, I'm not good at it."
Oprah clapped enthusiastically, "You said it so well, Laila. I believe it's this kind of dedicated spirit that allows you to create such great films. I'm confident that in the future of Hollywood's film history, you'll bring us even more classic works!"
The audience joined in with applause. Moved by Oprah's words, they extended their blessings to Laila. A twenty-year-old girl had already achieved so much, surpassing many adults.
Laila lowered her head slightly, revealing a somewhat shy smile. But if anyone could see the sharp gaze hidden behind her half-lidded eyes, they would know that she hadn't been swayed by the atmosphere; she was still the incredibly rational Laila.
Oprah looked at the somewhat embarrassed girl in front of her, her smile becoming even more sincere. "I think everyone knows that you've faced many difficulties on your journey in filmmaking. Can you share some of them with us?"
"Yes, there were indeed many difficulties," Laila said, her gaze distant as if she were reminiscing. "When I took over my father's film production company, the situation was terrible. To be honest, I couldn't believe how such a company managed to survive without going bankrupt. However, after looking into it, I found many talented individuals within. I felt that I couldn't let this company go bankrupt for their sake, so I decided to start making movies myself."
"Is that your first film, 'The Blair Witch'? My goodness, when I heard from the news that the movie only cost a few thousand dollars to make but grossed three hundred million worldwide, do you know what I thought?" Oprah held her hand to her heart, feigning surprise. "I thought, 'This must be the craziest thing God has ever done.'"
Her words elicited laughter from the audience. Those who didn't know the circumstances at the time couldn't have imagined the astonishing impact it had. Spending a few thousand dollars to earn three hundred million worldwide, was even more profitable than robbing a bank! It was the first film of an eighteen-year-old girl, made without even using film—just a DV camera achieving what countless directors couldn't.
Laila smiled modestly, "I never expected to make so much at the box office. At that time, I simply filmed some things I had seen in my dreams, things that frightened me. It's great that it managed to scare so many people."
Oprah chuckled and shook her head, "What you just said is the craziest thing I've ever heard." She turned to the audience and said, "Want to know how to make money by scaring people into screaming? Become a horror film director!"
Her jest earned more laughter and applause from the audience. Everyone knew she was joking, and making a successful horror film without scaring anyone away was no small feat!
Furthermore, earning hundreds of millions from an investment of just a few thousand dollars was something that only Laila Moran had achieved in the history of filmmaking. Not George Lucas, not James Cameron, not Steven Spielberg!
Next, Oprah and Laila discussed some of the challenges she faced while making movies. Perhaps because she didn't let her tears show, Oprah shifted the conversation to Laila's past illnesses.
"I've always wanted to ask you, when you were a child, you had to spend time in the hospital and almost crossed over to the other side several times. Did you never feel any resentment during that time?"
Laila thought seriously for a moment and then said, "Never." Because during that time, she hadn't been reborn into this world, so what was there to resent?
Of course, she couldn't say it like that.
"Maybe it's because I never knew any different? If I had started with good health and then suddenly became ill, I might have felt disappointed, sad, or even resentful at the unfairness of it all. But I've been living this way for as long as I can remember; illness and I have always been inseparable. I couldn't resent it..." She smiled and shrugged, "But I felt happy when it left."
The audience responded with enthusiastic applause to her words. Unless someone was trying to criticize Laila for the sake of it, no one could dislike a girl who had struggled so hard to survive.
Oprah seemed moved as well, and she clapped her hands vigorously before saying, "Well, let's stop talking about unpleasant things. Laila, I heard you have a mysterious boyfriend, is that true?"
"Oh!" The adult audience members in the audience perked up. Many of them were housewives, and they were the most interested in gossip. Especially when it came to someone like Laila, a wealthy heiress with fame, they were extremely curious.
Laila smiled shyly and nodded.
This was the first time she had publicly acknowledged the truth of the rumors. Whether it was the live audience or those watching on television, everyone was excitedly watching this moment. Meanwhile, the show's ratings were skyrocketing at an astonishing pace, nearly causing those monitoring the data to pop their eyeballs out.
Oprah asked with great interest, "Is it Roy? Everyone thinks you two are a perfect match, especially when they hear how you met. My goodness, I have to admit I'm a bit jealous of you both. It's truly a perfect encounter, and I think you could turn your story into a movie in the future, the most wonderful love fairytale."
Her words prompted countless nods from the audience. The story of their meeting had already been widely covered in the media. It was considered a miracle, a perfect love fairytale that seemed straight out of storybooks or fairy tales. If it were made into a real-life movie, it would be utterly enchanting, wouldn't it?
Many stars had been discovered by talent scouts or others through various means, be it on the streets, in photo studios, or at school. But they weren't a princess with wealth, talent, and a colossal conglomerate supporting them. Nor were they new-generation male stars who had crossed into modeling and singing and still achieved astonishing success like Roy.
A true princess and a prince, meeting and falling in love, it couldn't get more wonderful than that, could it?