boxer to hollywood

The Oscar ceremony typically follows a sequence starting with the supporting actor and actress awards, followed by music, editing, technical awards, makeup, and screenwriting. The more significant awards like Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director, and Best Picture are given out in the latter part.

Link sat backstage for a while, waiting for Kristen to return after presenting her award. Then he met up with Jennifer Lopez to collect the envelopes containing the winners' names and joined the queue at the backstage exit.

Jennifer Lopez, a Latin pop diva, is 41 this year. Her parents are Puerto Rican immigrants. She initially started as an actress, starring in notable films like "Anaconda," "Out of Sight," "Jersey Girl," and "Maid in Manhattan."

In 1999, she released her first single, which topped the Billboard charts. The following year, she released her debut album "On the 6," which sold over 500,000 copies in its first week and over 3 million copies in the U.S.

Over the past decade, she has released six albums, selling over 30 million copies worldwide, earning her the title of Latin Pop Diva, especially popular in the U.S. and Americas.

She is also Ben Affleck's future wife and P. Diddy's ex-girlfriend, a woman with a complex identity. It's rumored that the rivalry between East Coast and West Coast rappers in the '90s had something to do with her.

After divorcing her ex-husband in 1998, she started dating P. Diddy. Her ex-husband, feeling disgruntled, sold their private videotape to Suge Knight, the West Coast rap group's behind-the-scenes boss and founder of Death Row Records, who had promoted Tupac, Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg, and Dr. Dre.

Suge Knight used Jennifer's videotape to mock P. Diddy, causing him to lose face, and the two sides nearly came to blows.

However, Jennifer's current husband is Latin singer Marc Anthony, unrelated to East Coast rappers.

"Link, your new song 'All of Me' is fantastic; it has a soulful vibe."

Jennifer Lopez commented.

"Thank you. The new album features mainly pop songs, with some other genres mixed in."

Link explained briefly. His third album, besides "All of Me," included "Closer," "Girls Like You," "The Woman I Love," and 21 other classic love songs, primarily pop with touches of rock, dance, electronic, soul, and country.

The album's love theme was somewhat conventional, but its style was innovative, making Link uncertain whether fans and the market would accept it or how well it would sell.

He was under pressure to compete for the charts and could only take it as it came.

"Very impressive! It's hard to believe you're only twenty-one."

Jennifer Lopez smiled.

"One has to become famous early. I'm just following the footsteps of predecessors like you."

Link shrugged and smiled.

While they were talking, the award for Best Art Direction was being presented on stage, won by the "Avatar" team.

The award presenter was the superstar Charlize Theron, wearing a golden strapless dress. At thirty-five or thirty-six, she still looked great, with tight skin, a tall figure, graceful curves, and an air of a strong woman.

She and the art directors from the "Avatar" team returned from the stage and saw Link and Lopez standing at the exit. She greeted Lopez and then looked at Link with her captivating blue-grey eyes.

"Mr. Baker, it's great to see you. You look fantastic."

Charlize Theron smiled as she looked him up and down.

"Thank you. It's great to see you too, Ms. Theron. I'm a fan of yours."

Link smiled back at her.

Charlize Theron smiled slightly, said "See you later," waved her fingers at him, and walked away.

Link and Lopez congratulated the winning artists.

Oscar host Alec Baldwin then introduced the two presenters on stage. This year's Oscars had a mix of serious and humorous introductions.

Baldwin introduced Lopez seriously, mentioning her transition from acting to music and her success in the music industry, calling her a returning honoree at the Oscars.

But he wasn't as serious when introducing Link, mentioning his Olympic boxing championship in 2008, his transition to music in 2009, becoming the best-selling artist of the year, and winning the Grammy for Best Production.

Baldwin jokingly said, "I bet he'll win the Oscar for Best Actor next year."

This comment drew laughter from the audience.

Link felt a bit helpless.

Even before he got on stage, his film industry colleagues saw him as a formidable competitor. Winning an Oscar for Best Actor might be more challenging for him than it was for Leonardo DiCaprio or Robert Downey Jr.

As Baldwin introduced them, a staff member reminded Link and Lopez it was time to go on stage. Lopez took his arm, and they walked to the podium.

The Oscar stage was smaller than the Grammy stage but more artistically designed, with bright lights and a futuristic feel. Winning an award here would feel pretty cool.

Applause rang out as they reached the microphone.

"Link, Alec just bet that you'd win the Oscar for Best Actor next year. Are you confident about that?"

Lopez asked with a smile.

"Yes, the one thing I never lack is confidence."

Before he could finish, laughter erupted from the audience. Director Quentin Tarantino even clapped exaggeratedly. Link's boxing fans knew this was his catchphrase, something he'd say every time a reporter asked him if he was confident.

Those unfamiliar with him didn't understand the joke and looked curiously at the laughing crowd.

"I also trust Mr. Baldwin's judgment. He's a veteran in the film industry. If he says I'll win, there's no problem. If I don't, I'll consider putting on my boxing gloves and visiting him at his home."

Link said, expressionless, holding up a fist.

Laughter and applause erupted from the audience.

The camera switched to the backstage, showing Baldwin holding his head, pretending to be scared.

After the jokes, Link and Lopez introduced the nominees for Best Original Score: "Up," "Avatar," "Fantastic Mr. Fox," "Sherlock Holmes," and "The Hurt Locker."

As they introduced, clips of the nominated scores played on the screen behind them, each film getting 15 seconds.

The winner was "Up," composed by Michael Giacchino, a renowned Hollywood composer who had scored "The Incredibles," "The Family Stone," and "Mission: Impossible III."

After the award presentation, Link and Lopez returned backstage, where they saw Kristen still lounging there, sucking on a lollipop, reading a movie magazine, legs curled up on the couch, anything but ladylike in her dress.

"Where's my lollipop?"

Link asked, walking over. To embarrass Kristen a bit, he had unwrapped the lollipop and sucked on it for a while before giving it to her to hold.

"Here!"

Kristen took the lollipop from her mouth and handed it to him, now just a glass bead-sized piece.

Link raised an eyebrow. "You ate my candy?"

"What else?"

Kristen glanced at him smugly. "Here's a tip: never let a girl who loves candy keep your candy."

"Got it. Lesson learned."

"Take it!"

Kristen insisted on handing him the remaining piece.

Link took it, unsure if he should throw it away.

"Are you disgusted? I wasn't disgusted when you gave it to me."

Kristen said, frowning slightly, looking a bit angry.

Link shrugged and finished the remaining lollipop.

Kristen nodded in satisfaction and continued flipping through the magazine on her lap.

"Aren't you going to watch the award ceremony?"

According to the organizers, presenters could go to the front hall seating area after their task was done.

"No, it's boring."

"Well, I'm going. The Best Original Song award is next."

"You going won't change anything. They won't give you the award."

Kristen commented sarcastically but followed him when he walked away.

(End of Chapter)