制霸好莱坞

So, there is no such thing as a free lunch in Hollywood!

Jenny understood everything at once—why Josh and his agent expressed such enthusiastic support for her; why there was a secret plan lurking in the dark; even why Ino Martin called Jerry personally and why Jerry changed his attitude at the last minute. It all seemed that this hype plan was influencing their decision-making. The reason she was able to PK the pure British beauty Keira was probably that rebellious Keira would never accept a relationship arranged solely for commercial considerations.

"Hi, Josh, nice to meet you—I'm your girlfriend, Jennifer," she greeted as she waved to him. Josh grinned, and everyone chuckled in applause. Jerry then gestured for Cesare and Jenny to take a seat. "You can ask your agent for the specifics later. For now, let's finalize the contract details."

Jerry activated a projector on the desk, and after a brief operation, a PowerPoint appeared on the white wall. It outlined the production process for Pirates of the Caribbean: the crew would be assembled in June, formal filming would commence in July, wrap in October, with post-production and special effects completed by April 2003; editing would finish in May, and the film would be released worldwide in June. Global publicity was slated to begin in April. Jerry suggested it would be wise to officially announce Jenny's relationship after the film's release in June.

Although the original Jenny had some sense about Hollywood and working couples, she knew little about the inner workings of the industry. Jenny did not ask further questions—she simply listened attentively to Jerry's explanation.

Cesare added, "No objection. But to make the relationship seem genuine, we should film a few social gatherings in July, and release some candid photos of friend gatherings in mid-August. There will be several parties after filming wraps in October. This way, when the media gets the story in June, it will seem completely natural. You know, with paparazzi on the prowl, we must create an image that the sparks really flew during filming."

Jerry nodded approvingly. Cesare flipped through the contract attachments on the table. "For Jennifer's public image, she will enter a 'clean period' after June this year, and Josh should also maintain a clean period at least after filming starts in July. We need to present a picture of pure love between two youthful idols—not a polyamorous or fleeting romance."

"That's fine," said Josh's agent, Anna. "Josh, you can do it, right?" Josh smiled bitterly and nodded.

Jerry continued, "We all know this film is built with sequels in mind, so there must be a clause to provide for renewal. The text states that the relationship must last at least until the DVD release of Pirates. If a sequel is filmed, it will be deemed a tacit renewal unless there are clear objections. What do you think of this clause?"

Jenny, who knew that in Hollywood, the less famous party often hypes up scandals while the more famous party sometimes admits or denies them, listened as she recalled that official spokespeople never confirm a celebrity's boyfriend or girlfriend status. In Hollywood, however, things worked differently. Men and women freely interact, and a celebrity's long-term single status might even prompt rumors of homosexuality. Still, as she listened to Jerry, Cesare, and Anna debate the details—discussing the timing of the first kiss (not their first kiss, but the first one captured by paparazzi), the first overnight date, and whether the relationship should reach the level of engagement—Jenny felt an indescribable absurdity. This absurdity, however, also diluted the unreality she felt after signing the contract. The world remained harsh; despite being confirmed as the star of a box-office hit, she knew she had not risen overnight. Instead, she was still laboring at the bottom of the entertainment industry, climbing slowly.

"So, Cesare contacted you and your agent a long time ago, right?" Jenny asked Josh as she pulled her chair back a little.

Much like Hayden Christensen—famous for playing Anakin in the original Star Wars series—Josh was a handsome, brown-haired young man of only 23, fresh out of college. He seemed a bit embarrassed talking to Jenny; she considered herself lucky in that regard. It wasn't just his looks that made him endearing, but also his shy, genuine personality. In his eyes, there were still dreams—an innocence that was rare in Hollywood. Although Jenny hadn't seen his movies yet, during their conversation it was clear that his screen persona might be as charming as his real self. In the room, everyone else seemed far more seasoned than him.

"I learned about this plan at the beginning of the year, when you had just been cast in Pirates," Josh said in a low voice, careful not to disturb the negotiations at the other end of the table. "Your agent assured me that within six months, you'd be pushed into a B-level production as the female lead—if not, then Pirates. Anna and I reached a tacit understanding then that once you signed the contract, our cooperation would begin. We never expected things to go so smoothly, and here you are in Pirates. Of course, this is great for both us and the film."

"Opportunities always come to those who are willing to sacrifice," Jenny thought of Kayla. Kayla was an excellent actress too, and Jenny couldn't openly claim she was prettier or better—yet she refused to accept artificial enhancements or fake relationships. She could only, with regret, miss out on the role in Pirates of the Caribbean. In Hollywood, unless you're in the 20-million club, securing a leading role isn't determined solely by talent or resume; too many factors come into play.

"It seems you regard our relationship as a sacrifice," Josh said, his eyes softening. "Should I say my heart hurts?"

At that moment, voices from the other end of the conference table grew louder, and Jenny caught a mention of "chastity ring." Shaking her finger playfully, she teased, "Do you consider removing my ring an honor?"

Josh's gaze dropped to her finger. "Uh—so, are you— I mean, I want to ask—"

Jenny swallowed her laughter. "No."

"Okay," Josh said, sounding relieved. "No problem, good news then."

"Your performance makes me think you assume this contract covers sexual relations," Jenny remarked, barely containing her laughter. Teasingly, she added, "Are you ready to take advantage of me with the contract, bad boy?"

"What? No! Of course not." Josh's voice grew a bit louder, drawing disapproving looks from the senior executives. Lowering his voice, he said, "It's just... if you were a devout Christian, my moral burden would be heavier."

Pretending to be a couple might require intimacy, and if Jenny were inexperienced, Josh would be accused of taking advantage. Although this thought might seem to discriminate against women, Jenny's impression of him improved. Yet, doubts lingered—his demeanor exuded "innocence and simplicity," a rare trait in Hollywood that might not suit his professional role.

"You can come and sign," Cesare and Anna chimed in as they all gathered around the table. Jenny took the contract and skimmed through it quickly. The contract stipulated that from November 2002 to November 2003, Jenny and Josh would maintain a romantic relationship arranged by the producer and CAA, including designated "first kiss" and "first night" events. Once June 2002 arrived, both would enter a "clean period" until their breakup was publicly announced. Should paparazzi capture any scandalous evidence—dating photos, sex tapes, or proof of cheating—penalties ranging from 300,000 to 3 million would be imposed. If the scandal broke during the North American release, the producer would be fined an equal amount. After the promotion period, the producer would step back, and the couple could separate. However, if a sequel to Pirates were filmed, both parties were obligated to reconcile during filming and promotion.

Judging by the contract, the film company didn't so much value the penalty as demonstrate its tough stance. This clause was designed to benefit all parties involved—or, as some might call it, a form of "love contract." Spanning at least one and a half years, it might even lead to an engagement. Jenny carefully read through the penalty clauses, confirmed there were no issues, and signed her name. She exchanged contracts with Josh, who had been waiting patiently. "Happy cooperation, partner," she said.

"I wish you happy cooperation," Josh muttered softly.

Jerry, Cesare, and Anna signed their parts as well, while Ino Martin acted as the witness. After signing, Martin shook hands with both Jenny and Josh. "This is a good start, young people. I hope you can promote each other and secure even better opportunities."

The small meeting lasted less than 30 minutes, but it was pivotal for both Jenny and Josh. Although Jenny had little time for fun, she suspected that for Josh, the honeymoon period was about to end and the next couple of months would be precious.

After the meeting, on the drive home, Jenny asked Cesare, "Did you plan everything at the New Year's party? I mean, was the reason you found Josh not only that he was a good hype object but also that he had already taken on the role in Pirates?"

Cesare and Lillian, who were sharing the ride, spoke steadily from the back seat. "Finding a suitable fake lover isn't easy—it's like a blind date. You have to consider the right family background." Lillian, who had a little too much to drink, added, "Josh is a good match—not only because he has a bright future, but because Anna and I have a great relationship. This kind of cooperation is built on deep trust. If an agent can't control his artist, the result could be disastrous. What you need now is a healthy, ideal relationship—not a boring love triangle."

Jenny nodded, glancing at her chastity ring. "Then, I boldly guess that this ring is also part of the plan?"

"Indeed," Cesare agreed, though Lillian interjected, "What fake lover?" Cesare simply said, "Before you leave LA, we must have a meeting with Judy. Why not do it after we get home? She should be back from the party soon."

Judy was very busy that day with an important charity dinner, but when she appeared on the computer screen, she greeted warmly, "Good evening, Cesare. You've signed the contract, right? I assume Jennifer has met Josh."

"They get along well, and we wouldn't be surprised if they really fall in love," Cesare replied humorously. He always maintained proper decorum in business settings.

Judy then turned to Jenny with a note of caution, "This is great news, but listen carefully, Jenny: no matter how much you like Josh, you must control yourself and cooperate with our planned pace. Being overly anxious will ruin the publicity plan."

"Okay, Judy," Jenny said loudly. "Believe me, I will be very obedient."

Judy exchanged a knowing look with Cesare before continuing in a soothing tone, "Alright, let's talk business. When does Jerry plan to announce your performance news?"

"It should be about half a month to a month before filming starts," Cesare said. "I believe it's a good time for us. Your first year on Broadway should be wrapping up, and the remaining time can be scheduled toward the end of the year. I think James will be happy to accept this change. So it's not bad to maintain a low-exposure style—it makes it hard for paparazzi to snag your street photos. You can even take a vacation overseas and return directly to LA for filming."

"I think starting in June, there's no need to continue the current mysterious style. Maybe I can do a few small interviews," Judy added thoughtfully. "It's not time for a talk show yet, and a Vogue cover is still a distant dream, but an interview with People would work—just a couple to introduce you to the public and spark curiosity."

They discussed further plans, including a round of exposure combining Broadway and the film's promotion next year. Judy suggested moving some of Jenny's remaining contract days to later in the year, allowing the "Our Roxie is Better" campaign to interact with the movie's promotion.

"Wait until the film is completed in November, then combine that with Broadway for a full round of publicity for next year's performance. And don't forget—Chicago in October is also a good opportunity. We can talk with James about adjusting your contract days so that the publicity continues," Judy concluded.

Jenny listened, noting that as the heroine of an A-level production, securing these interview resources wouldn't be a problem. "So, can we now tell me my true life story?" she asked.

"My true life story?" Jenny was confused. "You're not going to portray me as a bastard of noble blood or something, are you?"

Judy and Cesare exchanged tolerant looks. "Listen, Jenny, everything I'm about to say is based on market research and careful analysis," Judy said as she rifled through a folder. "Don't ask why—just say it: Your name is Jennifer Jefferson, born on June 7, 1981. Your father is serving a long sentence in a federal prison, and you've rarely seen him. Your mother abandoned you before you could remember her. You grew up with your grandmother, and since childhood, you've yearned to be different from your parents..."

"Since I was little, I wanted to be different from my parents," Jenny told the young woman across the table. "I mean, I was born into a disadvantaged background. No one expected me to be anything special—even if I got pregnant before graduating high school, took drugs, or could only support my children by dancing, people wouldn't be surprised. They expected me to live like that."

Tina, the editor of People magazine, leaned forward, resting her hands on the table and adjusted the recorder to capture Jenny's story. "But this is America—a place where miracles happen and the American dream can come true. Martin Luther King was always my idol. Sure, what he did was monumental, but to a fifth-grade girl, changing her own destiny and freeing others seemed equally impossible."

Jenny paused and trimmed some details, remembering Judy's instructions: "Give some, but don't reveal too much." "But I told myself, if he can do it, I can too. I wasn't great—just an ordinary thirteen-year-old girl in foster care with acne, worried about affording a dentist, yet I saved up enough for braces."

Tina smiled knowingly. "But you eventually got your braces, didn't you?"

"Yes, with the money I earned from working. It wasn't much, but it was enough. The moment I got my braces, I thought—even if I'm not as great as Martin Luther King, at least I can straighten my teeth. So why not be bold and try something big?"

Tina asked, "So you came to Hollywood right after high school? Is this your bold attempt?"

"Yes, I've always been interested in acting," Jenny replied. "But the generous financial rewards in this industry are incredibly tempting. I wanted to continue my education, but college tuition was a huge burden. Many take out loans, but I chose another path. After arriving in Hollywood, I enrolled in short-term community college courses. I always dreamed of having a fixed role so I could study while pursuing my career."

Tina's smile deepened. "You've undoubtedly exceeded expectations."

Jenny laughed. "I never thought I'd be chosen for Pirates of the Caribbean. Until now, it all felt like a dream."

"Can you share how you were selected?" Tina asked. "I think it's a fascinating story."

Jenny replied, "There weren't any big waves. I actually didn't expect much. I believe Gore, the director, saw a performance of mine on Broadway by chance and thought I might have a chance in Pirates. When I returned to LA, I never expected to be called 'Elizabeth'—as if I were destined for that role. It all feels surreal."

"It seems this role is destined for you," Tina said.

"I wouldn't say it's destiny, but I believe it's arranged by God," Jenny replied softly.

Tina leaned forward, "I noticed the ring on your hand—is it a chastity ring? Your 'covenant with the Lord'?"

Jenny forced a smile. "It's a personal decision. It's not a wedding ring. Think of it more as an agreement with myself."

"Could you share the content of that agreement?" Tina pressed.

Jenny just smiled and said nothing. Tina laughed. "Alright, let's skip that. Tell me about Chicago on Broadway. That play created a miracle in the first half of the year. You're a celebrity in New York now—I heard you were everywhere as soon as you landed."

"Not really," Jenny replied. "I might have a modest following in some circles, but I still see myself as an actor. It's just the beginning—I haven't achieved anything to boast about yet."

"I think, over the past year, you've become the embodiment of the American dream—a living legend," Tina said admiringly.

Jenny laughed, "No, please don't put a halo on me—I'm still just an ordinary, new actor. I don't want to feel too ecstatic."

"Okay, one last question," Tina said, looking at Jenny with genuine interest. "We all know Pirates is about to start filming soon, and you'll be working with some of the best in the industry—Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, Josh Branch. How do you feel?"

"Very nervous, but also excited. I believe this will be a great movie," Jenny said, batting her eyelashes playfully. "I'm looking forward to working with Josh, Johnny, Jeffrey, and of course Gore. This is a tremendous opportunity for me to learn and grow."

Tina looked at Jenny with a warm smile, then turned off the recorder. "Thank you very much, Jennifer. You've been an extremely cooperative interview subject."

"Thank you," Jenny replied, raising her hand. "Would you like another cup of coffee? And will you come to the show tonight?"

"Of course I want to come—but you know how hot the Chicago box office is," Tina teased, accepting the two tickets Jenny handed her. "Wow—thank you, that's very thoughtful."

"I have a purpose," Jenny joked. "Please write a great piece about me in the interview."

"Not one, but two?" Tina teased, simulating typing on the table. "My dear, you bet it is."

Meanwhile, the clicking of thousands of sheets feeding into a printing machine filled the air as the latest issue of People hit the stands. The cover featured Julia Roberts, but the bold headline read: Jennifer Jefferson – Hollywood's Most Noteworthy New Face.

Across the country, as people hurried past newsstands, a corner of the stall was already taken by the latest issue of People. With a circulation of about 3.5 million copies, that day, 3.5 million readers—and tens of millions of others in the digital age—learned a new name: Jennifer Jefferson.

Author's Note:

Fake love is common in Hollywood, but it's hard for modern audiences to know the truth. Those with evidence of the truth are likely from 20 years ago. I recall a report that a very famous male star was gay; at that time, in the studio era, the studio assigned him a beautiful "beard" as his girlfriend. Every time he went out, he and his boyfriend would bring her along to cover up the truth... Such a "beard" relationship is well known.

Yesterday, I forgot to introduce the Amish—a self-sufficient Christian sect that rejects modernization. They live frugally, doing farm work and bartering.

People magazine is the largest gossip magazine in the United States. It reigned supreme until TMZ Online was founded (TMZ was not available in 2002).