Chereads / Tycoon Actor in Hollywood / Chapter 256 - Too Real

Chapter 256 - Too Real

The Ellen DeGeneres Show finally aired, and whether they were fans or not, everyone seemed glued to their TV screens. The show started off with the usual pizzazz, the house band playing their hearts out as the audience cheered. Ellen then welcomed her first guests, chatting effortlessly with them about their latest projects. As the show progressed, anticipation grew for the main event.

Finally, the moment arrived. The lights dimmed, and the crowd erupted in applause as Lucas Knight's name appeared on the screen.

Lucas walked onto the stage, waving at the cheering audience. He took a seat next to Ellen. Cameras flashed, capturing every moment of their interaction. The audience roared with laughter as Lucas found himself in one awkward situation after another, but he took it all in stride, matching Ellen's wit with his own brand of self-deprecating humor.

The interview took a turn when Lucas revealed that he wanted to be known as an actor too, rather than just a musician. Ellen then brought up two viral videos of Lucas singing, one with his friend and another with the rising actress Jennifer. She questioned him about the authenticity of the songs, asking if he had composed them himself or if it was the work of a ghostwriter. To prove his haters wrong, Ellen challenged Lucas to compose a song on the spot.

The TV audience erupted in excitement as they realized what was about to happen. Even the most skeptical of viewers were now at the edge of their seats, curious to see how Lucas would respond to this challenge.

"Oh my gosh, he's actually going to sing!" one fan squealed.

"I didn't expect this, but I can't wait to hear it!" another fan added.

Ellen then called a young woman named Rose from the audience, and the studio audience erupted in whispers. "Wait, isn't that the girl from the episode preview?" one person asked.

"Yeah, I remember her. She was crying," another added.

While most of them thought the preview was just a ploy to increase viewership, seeing Rose in the episode made them wonder if there was more to the story.

Ellen asked her what kind of song she'd like Lucas to compose, the room fell silent. In a trembling voice, Rose revealed that she had lost a friend to suicide and requested a song dedicated to her and her late friend.

Moved by her story, the audience listened intently as Lucas was handed a guitar by a staff member. He strummed the strings, lost in thought for a moment, before beginning to sing.

"Oh, I feel so bad for Rose," one fan said, wiping away a tear.

"I wonder what kind of song Lucas can come up with on the spot," another added, skeptical.

"It must be terrible, right? I mean, did you see her crying in the preview? I doubt he'll do her friend justice," a non-fan chimed in.

"Hey, give him a chance," a Lucas supporter defended.

"I'm not hating, I'm just saying it's hard to compose a good song on the spot," the non-fan retorted.

"Fine, let's just listen and see," the supporter said, crossing their arms.

As the guitar strings began to play, a melancholic, yet strangely familiar melody filled the air. The studio audience, along with those watching at home, couldn't help but feel a wave of nostalgia wash over them.

Some were transported back to their childhood, while others remembered the good times they'd shared with their loved ones. Others still found themselves reminiscing about their funniest moments with friends and family.

It was hard to pinpoint why, but even before Lucas had sung a single word, the melody alone had already tugged at their heartstrings, evoking bittersweet memories and emotions they thought they'd long buried.

After a brief moment, Lucas began to sing, his voice raw with emotion.

I didn't know about those other things

I could've been there, but now it's too late

We're only here for one hour, we won't know untill it's gone

Try to find the best, I know you

I didn't know, that you would leave so soon

I didn't try a little harder, to make you smile once more

One day I'll come to find you, wherever you may be

If only time was kinder, you would still be here

The slow-paced ballad tugged at the heartstrings of everyone in the studio audience and those watching at home. Each line was a gut punch, evoking memories of lost loved ones and cherished moments long past. Some openly sobbed, while others fought back tears, their faces a mask of complicated emotions.

As the song came to an end, the camera panned to Rose, her face stained with tears. The studio audience, too, couldn't hide their emotions any longer, their eyes red and puffy.

Finally, the TV audience understood the scene from the episode preview. Rose wasn't crying because Lucas had said something hurtful; on the contrary, she was moved to tears by the heartfelt song he'd composed on the spot.

As the studio audience and those watching at home wiped away their tears, even the most skeptical of Lucas's haters had to admit that he was truly talented.

"I can't believe it, but that song just gave me goosebumps," one non-fan admitted.

However, there were still some who refused to be swayed, clinging to their dislike for him for no apparent reason.

After the show aired, social media platforms like Twitter, Yahoo, and Facebook lit up with discussions about the episode.

"OMG, that song! I lost someone to depression too, and it just... it really hit me. I'm a new fan now," one user gushed.

Another user, who usually preferred rock music, tweeted, "Alright, I didn't think he could do it, but that song he composed on the spot? It's a masterpiece. #LucasKnight @LucasXKnight."

Fans and non-fans alike flooded social media with their reactions to the emotional performance.

"Lucas, please add that song to your next album! I'm begging you!" one user pleaded.

Another shared a more personal story: "I was about to end it all, but after hearing Lucas's song and his words to Rose on Ellen, I found a little hope. I'm seeking help now."

A user thanked both Lucas and the show for addressing such a sensitive topic. "Because of this episode, I became aware of my son's depression. He confided in us, crying, and I'm so glad he did. I can't imagine what would have happened if he hadn't. Thank you for bringing awareness to suicide and depression. It might not save everyone, but if it helps even one person, it's worth it. Also, Lucas, the song was beautiful. It reminded us how precious our loved ones are. @LucasXKnight #EllenDegeneresShow"

And another user simply said, "Just bawled my eyes out. I also lost a friend, and I relate so much."

The outpouring of support and gratitude for the heartfelt performance was overwhelming.

While most of the feedback was overwhelmingly positive, there were still haters who continued to spew negativity.

"Seriously? I didn't even like the song! There were too few lyrics, and he just strummed his guitar for most of it," one user complained.

Another simply couldn't hide their jealousy, "I've hated Lucas from the start, and now I hate him even more. It's not fair that everything he does gets praised!"

A third user added, "If I had his looks, I'd be ten times better than him."

And of course, there were those who couldn't accept the authenticity of the performance. "I bet Lucas and Ellen had a secret deal. There's no way he could compose a song on the spot like that. It's Hollywood, people. Of course, it was staged."

"Lucas Knight is nothing but a puppet of the Illuminati, part of their grand plan to distract us from the government's sinister New World Order agenda!" one user ranted on a conspiracy forum. "Everything he does, every song he sings, every move he makes, it's all carefully orchestrated by the powers that be to keep us in the dark!"

Despite the overwhelmingly positive response to his performance, there were still those who refused to believe in Lucas's authenticity. Conspiracy theories began to emerge, with some claiming he was part of a larger, sinister plan.

What was even more alarming was that some people actually believed these baseless claims, further fueling the fire of hatred and mistrust. However, the majority of the public chose to focus on the beauty of the song and the message it carried, rather than entertaining such outlandish theories.

---

Meanwhile, Lucas, on the verge of voicing the lead role in an animated movie, sat in the bustling Illumination Entertainment lobby. He sipped his drink as he waited for his big meeting. Suddenly, a middle-aged man in a sharp suit extended his hand.

"Hi there, I'm Ken Daurio, one of the execs here at Illumination. Great to finally meet you, Lucas!" Ken said with a warm smile.

Lucas stood up and shook his hand firmly. "The pleasure's mine, Mr. Daurio."

They chatted briefly as Ken led Lucas to the recording booth, where they ran into another familiar face.

"Danny, my man! Meet Lucas, our newest addition to the cast," Ken said, gesturing towards a smiling Danny DeVito.

Lucas grinned from ear to ear, shaking Danny's hand. "It's an honor, sir. I've been a fan since 'Taxi'!"

Danny's eyes twinkled with amusement. "Well, I didn't expect a big shot like you to know who I am."

Lucas chuckled. "Just because I'm famous doesn't mean I can't appreciate another, Danny."

They continued their conversation, until Lucas finally spoke up again.

"I'm sorry in advance if I'm not too good at this voice acting thing…" he said, rubbing the back of his neck nervously.

Danny let out a soft laugh. "Don't worry about it, kid. I've heard you're great at acting and singing. Once you get the hang of it, voice acting will be a piece of cake."

Lucas grinned. "Here's hoping so."

"Trust me, kid," Danny said, lowering his voice, "the whole cast of this animated movie we're in? Most of them are actors, not even real voice actors. The studio doesn't care if you're bad as long as you're famous enough."

Lucas couldn't help but chuckle, but Ken, who was standing nearby, overheard the conversation.

"Now, now, Danny," Ken said, feigning disapproval, "that's not very nice to say." He then lowered his voice too, and added, "But you got a point. We did spend more on the voice cast than the actual animation."

Danny doubled over with laughter, while Lucas forced a smile, thinking about the underpaid animators who had poured their hearts and souls into the project. The injustice didn't sit well with him, but Ken and Danny didn't seem to notice his discomfort.