The crowd erupted in cheers as Lucas made his way down the red carpet.
Drawing from his past experiences, he waved to his fans but maintained a respectful distance to avoid any potential conflicts. As he stepped onto the photo line, reporters swarmed around him, cameras flashing incessantly.
"Lucas! Lucas! Over here!" the reporters called out, vying for his attention. Once the initial flurry of photographs subsided, the questions began pouring in.
A reporter from Entertainment Tonight pushed forward, "Lucas, we're all stunned by your appearance. How did you manage to bounce back so quickly from those concerning photos we saw?"
Lucas smiled, his charm on full display. "Thanks to the incredible team of health experts guiding me, I was able to recover nicely. It was a challenging process, but I'm feeling great now."
Another journalist chimed in, "Can you tell us anything about the mysterious 'Romeo' project? What's it all about?"
Lucas's expression turned thoughtful. "Romeo is a story about a man struggling with life's hardships. It's a deep dive into the human psyche and the challenges we all face."
His vague answer only seemed to pique the reporters' curiosity further.
One reporter, seizing the moment, called out, "There's a popular leak on the internet claiming that the 'Romeo' movie is actually about the Joker from DC Comics, Batman's villain. What can you say about that?"
Lucas's eyebrows raised slightly, a mix of surprise and amusement crossing his face. He hadn't expected the information to leak so quickly, but he knew how to handle it. With a mischievous glint in his eye, he responded:
"Well, you know what they say - all the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players. Some of us just wear more makeup than others."
His clever wordplay, referencing both Shakespeare's Romeo and the Joker without confirming or denying anything, elicited laughter from the gathered reporters. They appreciated his wit and ability to dance around the question while still giving them something to work with.
"So, is that a yes or a no?" another reporter pressed, grinning.
Lucas chuckled, maintaining his calm demeanor. "It's a 'wait and see'. After all, where's the fun in spoiling the surprise?"
His playful responses only fueled the reporters' excitement, leaving them with more questions than answers. As Lucas moved on down the red carpet, the buzz among the journalists grew louder.
His skillful handling of the inquiries had somehow managed to both address the rumors and maintain the mystery around the 'Romeo' project, leaving everyone eager for more information.
***
As the hours went on, fans and commentators eagerly discussed the outfits of each star. Jennifer Lawrence stunned in an elegant red Dior gown, while Leonardo DiCaprio looked dapper in a classic black tuxedo. Cate Blanchett turned heads in a nude-colored Armani Privé dress adorned with Swarovski crystals.
But it was Lucas Knight's outfit that truly caught everyone by surprise. Known for his usually low-key style, Lucas had completely transformed his look for the night. He wore a sleek, tailored suit in a deep midnight blue, with subtle geometric patterns woven into the fabric that seemed to shimmer under the lights. The jacket was slightly oversized, giving it a modern, relaxed feel, and he paired it with slim-fit trousers that hit just above his ankles, revealing stylish dress shoes.
Instead of a traditional dress shirt, Lucas wore a crisp, high-collared white shirt with unique detailing at the collar and cuffs. A delicate silver chain adorned his neck, and his ears sported small, tasteful earrings. His hair was styled in a slightly tousled look, adding to the overall contemporary vibe.
Fans on social media couldn't stop talking about Lucas's bold fashion choice:
"OMG, Lucas Knight in that suit! He looks like he stepped out of a fashion magazine from the future!" one fan tweeted.
Fashion commentators were equally impressed:
"Lucas Knight has truly elevated his style game tonight," remarked one fashion critic. "It's refreshing to see a young actor take such a fashion-forward risk on the red carpet."
***
In the red carpet, besides other things, the others and reporters noticed that Lucas and Jennifer weren't talking to each other.
Jennifer was engaged in animated conversations with other actors like Bradley Cooper and Meryl Streep, while Lucas chatted with Leonardo DiCaprio and Cate Blanchett.
This apparent distance between the usually inseparable couple didn't go unnoticed, leading to whispered speculations among the attendees and media.
Meanwhile, Lucas continued to mingle with other Oscar guests, sharing a laugh with Matthew McConaughey and exchanging words with Sandra Bullock.
While the reporters were already crafting stories in their heads about the apparent distance between Lucas and Jennifer, Lucas finally made his way towards her.
As their eyes met, Jennifer nodded and naturally clung to his arm for a photo, their practiced red carpet pose falling into place effortlessly. Under the flashing cameras, Lucas leaned in, whispering, "Are you still upset about what happened? We haven't talked for weeks now."
Jennifer maintained her camera-ready smile as she whispered back, "I've been thinking about what you said. And you're right. Maybe when we're deeply invested in a role, we should take some time off and not communicate until our busy schedules end."
She paused, allowing the photographers to capture a few more shots before adding, "I was just worried that during this time, we might gradually drift apart. I mean, not talking for a month or two? I can barely go a week without wanting to message you."
Lucas could hear the underlying concern in her voice, despite her outward composure. He gave her arm a gentle, reassuring squeeze, a gesture hidden from the cameras but felt deeply by Jennifer.
Lucas leaned in closer, his lips barely moving as he whispered, "Look, we don't have to figure everything out right now. Let's just enjoy tonight and talk properly later, okay?"
Jennifer gave a subtle nod, her smile never faltering for the cameras. As they parted ways to take their seats, both carried complicated feelings. The brief exchange had eased some tension, but also left many questions unanswered.
As the three-hour red carpet proceedings finally wrapped up, guests filed into the Dolby Theatre. The air buzzed with excitement and nervous energy as nominees and presenters found their seats.
Lucas settled into his spot, nodding politely to fellow actors around him. A few rows away, he caught a glimpse of Jennifer, their eyes meeting briefly before both turned their attention to the stage.
The preshow began with a warm-up comedian taking the stage, eliciting laughter from the star-studded audience. The host ran through the evening's schedule, reminding everyone of the order of awards and performances. Technicians made last-minute sound checks, and ushers guided any latecomers to their seats.
As the clock ticked closer to broadcast time, there was a palpable shift in energy. Celebrities touched up their makeup and straightened their outfits. The chatter in the theater grew quieter, replaced by an air of anticipation.
A production assistant began the countdown, signaling to everyone that they were about to go live. The audience fell silent as the house lights dimmed.
At precisely 5:30 PM PST, the live broadcast began. The ABC network logo flashed across screens nationwide, and millions of viewers tuned in.
The show opened with a dazzling montage of the year's notable films. Clips from "Gravity," "12 Years a Slave," "American Hustle," and other acclaimed movies flashed across the screen, accompanied by a sweeping orchestral score. The montage skillfully wove together moments of drama, comedy, and spectacle, showcasing the diverse storytelling that had captivated audiences over the past year.
As the last note of music faded, the camera panned across the audience, capturing the faces of Hollywood's elite.
The camera lingered on Lucas, and noticing himself on the screens, he offered a warm wave and a charming smile to the audience at home.
Ellen DeGeneres then took the stage, her trademark wit and energy immediately filling the theater.
"Welcome to the Oscars." Ellen started.
She began her opening monologue with a series of lighthearted jabs at the assembled stars.
"For those of you watching around the world, it's been a tough year. It's been tough for everyone. I mean, just look at Lucas Knight."
The camera panned to Lucas as Ellen continued, "I saw those pictures of you, Lucas. For a while there, I thought you were auditioning for the 'Hunger Games' for real!"
Lucas, playing along, dramatically patted his now-healthy physique and shrugged with an exaggerated confused expression, drawing laughter from the celebrities around him.
Ellen grinned, "But look at you now! It's like you went from 'Cast Away' Tom Hanks to 'Forrest Gump' Tom Hanks overnight. Whatever diet you're on, I want in!"
The audience erupted in laughter, appreciating Lucas's good-natured response to the ribbing.
Ellen then segued into more jokes about the nominees and the year in film, her humor walking the fine line between playful teasing and genuine celebration of the industry's achievements.
***
Time passed, and as the ceremony progressed, Ellen decided to embark on her selfie mission.
Ellen made her way through the audience, approaching various stars for individual selfies.
Ellen approached Meryl Streep, saying, "Here's my idea. I'm going to take a selfie with you, and then we'll see if we can break the record for the most retweets."
She then began inviting other stars to join, including Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper, Jared Leto and the others.
As the group grew, Bradley Cooper suggested, "I could take it."
Ellen replied, "No, no, no," clearly wanting to be in the photo herself.
At this point, Lucas, unaware of the Samsung sponsorship, jokingly suggested he could take the selfie. "How about I take it? I've got experience with special effects. I can make sure we all look good!"
Bradley, hearing this, laughed and backed off, "Yeah, Ellen, let the man handle it!"
Ellen, now looking slightly annoyed (though playing it up for comedic effect), paused for a moment. The audience laughed at her apparent dilemma. Reluctantly, she handed the phone to Lucas.
In her mind, Ellen was concerned. This was a Samsung-sponsored moment, and she hoped Lucas wouldn't inadvertently ruin the planned moment.
She hadn't expected this turn of events but had to go along with it to maintain the spontaneous feel of the bit.
The stars began to rearrange themselves around Lucas, who now held the phone, ready to take the selfie that would soon break records on social media.
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