Model to Holywood

"These female students are so difficult to teach. They want to be stars but refuse to seriously practice acting. It's really tough for me as a teacher," said Mr. Ross, stirring his coffee with a hint of frustration outside the Manhattan School of Performing Arts café.

Luca smirked slightly. It wasn't just the girl's fault; Ross had some responsibility too.

The girl had just started learning to act, and Ross already had her rehearsing "Chicago," a challenging opera. Learning to act like a courtesan? Acting more provocatively? His methods might work, but he didn't consider whether the girl could handle it.

"Luca, you mentioned over the phone yesterday that you were having trouble with your acting?"

Mr. Ross stroked his chin with his bearded hand.

"Yes," Luca smiled slightly. "I've played three roles so far—Chip from *City Desires*, Michael from *Honey Dancer*, and I recently did a cameo as a hitman in Los Angeles."

"And?"

"I realized that no matter what role I play, I'm always just playing myself. Chip is me, Michael is me, and the hitman is me too. I haven't been able to separate myself from the character's personality and traits."

Luca paused, spreading his hands. "Mr. Ross, is there a way to solve this?"

"Hm?" Mr. Ross chuckled, pulling out a pack of cigarettes. "You don't mind, do you?"

"Not at all," Luca replied, sipping his coffee.

Mr. Ross took a drag and slowly said, "This is a common issue many actors face. It has nothing to do with your acting skills but rather with your personal choices and path. Simply put, do you want to be a big star, or do you want to be a true actor?"

"Is there a difference?"

"A huge one!" Mr. Ross tapped the table with his cigarette-holding fingers. "If your goal is to be a big star, you'll keep showing off in front of the camera—your looks, muscles, charm, sex appeal, and uniqueness.

"These are your natural advantages, things you own. You can use them to gain attention and fame until time catches up with you or the audience gets tired of you, and that'll be the end of your stardom."

"What if my goal is to be an actor?" Luca frowned.

Mr. Ross smiled slightly. "Then you don't need to sell your good looks or sex appeal. On the contrary, before performing, you should break down those advantages according to the character's traits.

"If the character doesn't need to be so handsome, you can control your facial muscles to look less attractive. If the character isn't as muscular, you should lose or gain weight.

"At that point, you'll find that all your natural advantages become obstacles to your progress.

"If you can abandon all your advantages and immerse yourself in the role, sacrificing yourself to enhance the character, the more you give up, the closer you'll be to success. That's when you become a true actor."

Mr. Ross chuckled, stroking his beard. "You said you always end up playing yourself and not showcasing the character's traits.

"So let me ask you—what do you want to show most in front of the camera? Your good looks, your sex appeal, your charm? Or the character's charm and your acting?"

Luca pondered for a moment. When standing in front of the camera, he wanted to show off his most handsome side and highlight his personal charm—something typical of a movie star.

"Can't I have both?"

"Both?" Ross asked, confused.

"Yes, I want to be a talented big star, like Marlon Brando, Gregory Peck, or Al Pacino."

"Impossible!" Ross interrupted Luca's dream with brutal bluntness.

"Why?"

Luca tugged at his collar. "Am I not handsome enough? Is my acting bad? I'm only 21; my future holds endless possibilities."

"Endless? No, no, no~" Mr. Ross wagged his finger. "First of all, those actors are all Oscar winners. Can you achieve that? No, you can't, because you're Brazilian. Even if you emigrate to the U.S., you'll always be seen as a foreign actor in the eyes of Oscar voters. In that regard, you'll never be their equal."

"…"

Luca was speechless.

Ross was right. The Oscars are very exclusive. Even Japanese actors, who once dominated Hollywood, have never won Best Actor. Luca's chances of winning an Oscar for acting were very slim.

"Don't be discouraged, Luca," Ross continued, stroking his beard. "You won't be Marlon Brando, but you could become an actor like Leonardo DiCaprio, Johnny Depp, or Brad Pitt."

"Really?" Luca sipped his coffee. "All of them have been nominated for Best Actor at the Oscars."

"But none of them are Oscar winners, and they probably never will be."

"Why is that?"

"Tom Cruise's religion makes him unpopular with Oscar voters. Leonardo is too handsome—if he doesn't make sacrifices, he'll struggle to get recognition. And Brad Pitt? He's just like you, always showing off his good looks and sexy body in front of the camera."

Luca nodded, realizing the truth in Ross's words. Just as he was thinking, he noticed a pair of bright eyes and a beautiful face behind Ross.

Blonde hair, a sweet face, and playful lips. Isn't that Rachel from *Friends*?

No, it's Jennifer Aniston, the big star. America's sweetheart, ranked #1 on *People* magazine's list of the 50 Most Beautiful People in the World.

What's she doing here?

Luca was startled.

She was sitting in the booth next to them. Since the backs of the booths were high, he hadn't noticed her earlier. But when Mr. Ross mentioned Brad Pitt, she turned to listen with a frown.

Rachel and Brad Pitt aren't divorced yet, right?

She noticed him looking, blinked playfully, and smiled mysteriously.

"Brad Pitt's acting is good, but his performances are too monotonous. He always tries to look cool, which distracts from his acting."

"Ahem~"

Seeing that Mr. Ross was still talking about Brad Pitt, Luca quickly blinked. Brad's wife was right there!

"What's wrong?" Mr. Ross asked, confused.

"Hi, Mr. Ross. Long time no see!" Jennifer Aniston stood up from her booth. She was dressed casually in a blue plaid T-shirt and blue jeans. Although dressed simply, she looked stunning and comfortable.

"Jen?!" Mr. Ross's eyes widened, and a flash of embarrassment crossed his face.

"Haha, Jen, what a coincidence!" he exclaimed. "It's really great to see you!"

"Yes, Mr. Ross, your conversation was quite interesting," Jennifer smiled meaningfully.

"Haha, really?" Mr. Ross rubbed his beard, his expression a bit awkward. He shot a quick glance at Luca as if to say, "Jennifer's here—why didn't you warn me?"

Luca shrugged in response, signaling that he had just noticed too.

Mr. Ross shook his head. "Jen, let me introduce you. This is Luca Kelly, a student here."

"Ms. Aniston, hello! I'm Luca Kelly, nice to meet you!" Luca stepped forward, flashing a charming smile.

Jennifer looked him up and down and smiled. "Luca, I know you. You're that 'Supermodel Superman,' right? You've been in the news more than me this year."

"Jen, his stories are all about cheating scandals. How can that compare to you?" Mr. Ross said dismissively.

Luca's eyelid twitched. Did he really have to embarrass him like that?

"Jen, what brings you to the school today?"

"I'm here to see…" Jennifer started, but then she looked toward the door. "Oh, there she is. Hi, Nia! Over here!"

The newcomer was Ms. Nia, a fashionable woman nearing 50 with a refined look. She had spent time in Hollywood, was an experienced professional, and taught screenwriting and stage acting at the school. She was a strict, critical teacher.

"Hello, Ms. Nia!" Luca stepped forward to greet her.

"Luca, what are you doing here?" Ms. Nia glanced at him, then at Jennifer, her eyes filled with curiosity and a hint of suspicion.

"Ms. Nia, don't misunderstand. We just ran into each other by chance, we're not on a date."

"Did I say you were?"

"…"