Huayu: Starting from the top talent show

Chapter 379 Receives Special Praise from the Head of the Party

As the North American tour gets underway, more and more mainstream media and ordinary people are joining in on this grand event.

So for the next period of time, I will continue touring (the Philadelphia concert from the 23rd to the 25th will feature Cardi B, who has recently caused controversy due to her performance of the Mei Chuan Nei Ku incident), producing songs (an EP and a blind light remix version are expected to be released next year), and exercising to increase my physical fitness.

The tour is a long marathon.

Without an iron body and ample physical reserves, it would be impossible to complete the entire tour.

August 26th, US time.

After finishing his three-day tour in Philadelphia and resting for a night, Shen Juan rushed to New Jersey without stopping.

Attended this year's VMAs.

While he was getting his makeup done, Yangyang Jin handed him his phone so he could see the recent online controversies surrounding him.

Shen Juan took it and glanced at it.

It turned out that he had been scolded for setting off fireworks in the early morning during the pre-recording of the VMAs stage in New York a while ago, which disturbed the neighbors.

Actually, I was criticized back then.

However, the media did not disclose at the time who performed on the skyscrapers or who set off the fireworks over the Hudson River.

Jack posted a video on TikTok denouncing Shen Juan and the VMAs for their appalling behavior: "Alex, did you really have to set off fireworks on the Hudson River at 2 a.m. for the VMAs stage? What are we supposed to do, people who have to go to work and put our kids to bed? Congratulations on your 'protagonist syndrome' achievement—you gave us a wonderful and unforgettable night."

John, an environmental enthusiast, angrily stated in a media interview: "It's 2019 already! Aren't the climate crisis and noise pollution serious enough? Is a celebrity's vanity more important than public morality? New York isn't your private playground! Fxxk! Who approved this? Why is a Chinese person allowed to enjoy such privileges in New York?"

In an interview, Ms. Jenny stated, "I woke up that night thinking it was the end of the world, but it turned out to be some celebrity treating New York like a 24-hour film set. Thanks to Alex for reminding us ordinary people: sleep is a luxury only those nominated for the VMAs deserve."

Then many online celebrities and bloggers jumped on the bandwagon: "Celebrity slogan: 'We care about the community!' Actual behavior: Setting off fireworks next to residential areas at 3 a.m. Shen Juan's team should donate some money to the noise complaint foundation. He doesn't treat us ordinary people like human beings at all!"

Although the idea of ​​setting off fireworks over the Hudson River was not Shen Juan's; he was only responsible for the performance, and all other designs were left to VMAs. However, the outside world clearly did not care or pay attention to this. In their view, without Shen Juan, there would naturally be no fireworks and helicopters.

That seems to make sense.
Moreover, this would be condemned in any country, and in China, it might even draw more criticism from the public.

So it's best to just take the blame honestly.

I don't apply double standards; I still have to take the blame when it's my turn.

In an effort to minimize the negative impact, Shen Juan used social media to apologize to residents along the Hudson River.

Then he announced that he would donate to a foundation on behalf of the residents along the Hudson River for noise control and child welfare, in an attempt to salvage his reputation by spending money.

As for whose pockets these donations will ultimately end up in, that's none of Shen Juan's business; he's already donated them anyway.

However, the United States is different from China.

He is a beloved chosen one in China.

In the United States, however, he is an alien demon who is ostracized.

Some things can't be suppressed just because you want to.

At least those politicians clearly didn't want to let go of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so they all started criticizing Shen Juan online, expanding their influence and winning votes for themselves. Even Donald, the then-leader, took the opportunity to attack Shen Juan on Twitter.

[Alex Shen, the so-called pop superstar from China, is wreaking havoc in our great America—and it's not just those noisy fireworks at 2 AM! Our most authoritative music charts are being dominated by Chris? Our best Gen Z kids are even falling for Chris? It's pathetic! Support American talent! Support American singers! Support America! Under my leadership, employment rates and hit songs are soaring! #AmericaFirst#]

Man! What can I say?

Good things don't go out, bad things pass thousands of miles.

This time it's really gone viral!
As a result, Alovers, along with netizens who criticized Shen Juan and racists, became embroiled in a heated online battle on various forums.

Passersby said that Shen Juan was enjoying special treatment and they really didn't understand why so many young people liked him.

The racists said to send this damn yellow-skinned monkey home, America is not a place for him to run wild!
Alovers responded that he had already apologized and donated money, so what more do you want from him? Why not criticize the VMAs?

Then there were some politicians who wanted to win over young people's votes, who pretended to be rational and objective, saying that this had nothing to do with Alex.

But to be honest, Shen Juan's side is not very strong.

After all, Shen Juan was indeed in the wrong in this matter.

Strictly speaking, it can be considered that we were tricked by VMA.

But think on the bright side.

At least their brand awareness has increased, hasn't it?
Which celebrity in this world doesn't have some scandals?

After all, being named by the person in charge and having their popularity boosted is a privilege not every celebrity can enjoy.

Moreover, after this story spread back to China, it became a topic of much discussion among netizens who often make fun of world leaders.

[Hilarious! They get criticized for setting off fireworks? The firecrackers at the unveiling of the Goddess statue were so numerous they could circle the Earth three times! Shen Juan, don't you understand this is cultural export? These foreigners are really good at double standards! I support filming Wolf Warrior 3 at the White House. Then our twin stars, Shen Juan and Shen Jing, will meet at the Goddess statue—one firing guns, the other setting off fireworks, wouldn't that be wonderful?]

[I won't say who broke the silence, but some people are praising the freedom and unrestrained lifestyle of those celebrities while criticizing Chinese stars for disturbing the peace. Isn't setting off fireworks at midnight a manifestation of freedom and unrestrained lifestyle? I suggest renaming the Hudson River the Lemon River~ By the way, Juan Ge looks so handsome in the unedited photos from his North American tour! Looking forward to Juan Ge's return to China soon!]

[Putting nationality aside, setting off fireworks at midnight does indeed disturb the peace, but it's even more disgusting for foreign websites to use this as an excuse to engage in a derogatory and anti-florist celebration.]

[I'm so anxious! The more the haters attack him, the angrier he gets! The real reason for Lao Mei's sarcastic remarks is that she's afraid I'll dominate the music scene!]

[That's it? Back then, when Big Brother Cheng blew up a helicopter in Hollywood, they were all awesome. Now, setting off fireworks is considered noisy? How shameless! I support Shen Juan turning the US upside down. The more famous he is in North America, the happier I am! Anyone still criticizing Shen Juan at this time really needs to have their background checked.]

This scene evokes a sense of déjà vu, reminiscent of the original Nezha calling on the entire nation to contribute in an effort to break into the top five of global film history.

Of course, Shen Juan would never engage in this kind of marketing.

Because it's easy to lose face and suffer a backlash.

But he can control himself, not others.

Many people have come to regard him as a key figure in the fight against the American entertainment industry, giving him additional value and significance.

His every move overseas is subjected to forced interpretation by Chinese people using the same method as "reading comprehension" in Chinese language.

To be honest, it's a bit tough.

But we can only continue.

The pressure Yao Ming faced when he was playing in the NBA was immense, and the pressure Shen Juan is under now is only greater.

But the good thing is...
Shen Juan is now deeply intertwined with TikTok and is gradually becoming a representative symbol of Generation Z in the United States.

Therefore, in order not to offend young people, to prevent them from casting their votes for opposing forces, and also to ensure that Shen Juan's tour creates more jobs and generates greater profits in the United States, this group will not go too far and affect their own interests.

This also gave Shen Juan the opportunity to continue to persevere under pressure.

As long as he isn't banned outright, he's confident he can carve out his own niche by generating massive sales through streaming services.

6:30 pm.

After completing all preparations at the hotel, Shen Juan arrived at the venue for this year's VMAs:
Prudential Center.

After getting off the bus, the crowd was huge and the atmosphere was incredibly lively.

Escorted by his team's security personnel, Shen Juan first greeted the fans holding his support items.

Then, following the staff, they arrived at the waiting area before walking the red carpet and were interviewed live across the United States.

"Ladies and gentlemen, standing before us now, ready to be interviewed, is none other than the renowned Alex Shen!"

"Aaaaaaaaaa!!!"

The incredible screams from the fans at the scene were broadcast live on television and reached every corner of the United States, allowing all viewers watching the red carpet live to once again clearly witness Shen Juan's unparalleled fan appeal.

"Wow! Alex, you look so handsome today! Could you tell us about your outfit?"

"Of course! First of all, this suit of mine is..."

Shen Juan knew, of course, that the host was asking him to advertise the luxury brands he endorsed. So he listed all the products he was wearing, including LV ready-to-wear, Tiffany jewelry, Lotte red-soled shoes, and Jaeger-LeCoultre watches, giving the viewers in front of the live broadcast screen a little bit of luxury shock.

"Wow! This is absolutely amazing! And as we all know, you've received 14 nominations tonight, leading the field. How are you feeling now? How many trophies are you planning to take home?" The host handed the microphone to Shen Juan.

“If it were last year, I would have said I was very nervous, but this year, I would say I’m very happy and enjoying myself. As for how many trophies I plan to bring home,” Shen Juan shrugged, “of course, the more the better, but I’m not a judge, so I can only hope that they can give me more recognition and respect.”

You seem really confident!

Shen Juan looked at the area where the fans were, "I have to thank my fans for this. They are the ones who have helped me get to where I am today."

Another scream rang out, and the host couldn't help but marvel at Shen Juan's exceptionally high level of fan service.

"So what about the Leviathan Era tour? Alex, what are your thoughts on your concerts now?"

“It’s almost insane! I mean, I never imagined I would receive so much support and love in the US, so I really need to thank my Alovers again. They changed my life, and I want to make their world a better place through my own efforts.” The phrase “You have changed my life” was originally said by Taylor Swift ten years ago, but it was popularized by Shen Juan at this year’s Billboard Music Awards and, thanks to powerful global marketing, became his signature quote, frequently mentioned by Alovers.

"Alex, the bond between you and your fans is truly enviable."

"I often envy myself."

"Haha! Let's talk about Taylor again. She brought her new album and new look today. Do you like her new look and new songs?" The host was good at grasping the key points. Knowing that Taylor had mentioned Shen Juan's involvement in her new album more than once, he asked this question on purpose.

"Of course! Without a doubt! Although I haven't met her yet today, she must be very beautiful. And speaking of the new album, I was involved in its production, and Taylor and I even have a collaboration track coming out soon. Do you think I would say I don't like this album?"

Taylor Swift's new album "Lover" was released on August 23.

The remix version of his self-titled single "Lover," a collaboration with Taylor Swift, will be released on the 30th, a week from now.

So during this time, the two of them interacted a lot on social media, promoting each other's albums and concerts.

Shen Juan "questioned" Taylor Swift about why they didn't include their collaboration on the album. Taylor Swift jokingly replied that she was afraid Shen Juan would steal the spotlight from her album. To express her apology, she offered to be a guest performer at the Leviathan tour's New York stop, where she would also give the world premiere of the "Lover" remix.

"Really? We're really looking forward to it!"

"I won't let you down, everyone."

"Okay, thank you for accepting our interview."

"You're welcome, it's my pleasure."

After walking the red carpet, we entered the Prudential Center.

As the least successful of the four major North American music awards, this year's VMAs were still lackluster.

This also means that Shen Juan doesn't know many people.

Cardi B is one of them.

This female rapper, known for her "crazy and sarcastic persona," swayed up to Shen Juan and raised an eyebrow: "Yo Alex! The Leviathan Era tour's box office numbers are insane, like a TikTok challenge! I heard Philadelphia security stopped over 20 women trying to sneak into your hotel room?"

Shen Juan chuckled noncommittally and replied, "Perhaps this is thanks to Cardi's incredibly hot performance on stage."

Cardi B suddenly leaned closer, the stone almost touching Shen Juan's chest, her false eyelashes nearly brushing his chin. "Honey, I absolutely loved that fireworks display you set off in New York! If there's anything like that again, you have to invite me along, let's burn down the Hudson River together!"

Shen Juan rolled his eyes and said helplessly, "Come on, I'm getting annoyed to death, especially by those environmentalists. I'm speechless."

Cardi B laughed heartily at this, "Back when I was scarening the gangsters in the Bronx with gunfire, those guys on the Hudson River were still sucking on pacifiers! Frankly, they just know you're a celebrity, so they can't mess with you. They think you're easy to bully, which is why they dare to publicly criticize and condemn you."

Shen Juan spread his hands and smiled, "Can I refute them? Even your Guo Jia leader tweeted about it."

"Don't pay any attention to that blond bitch! His words are like farts, he's all bullshit! That orange-faced lunatic has the nerve to accuse you of causing trouble in the US?" Cardi B rolled her eyes. "Damn it, has he forgotten that his list of bankrupt hotels is longer than my list of ex-boyfriends? What a son of a bitch!"

On the surface, Shen Juan maintained his composed and calm demeanor, but inwardly he was about to burst out laughing. "Kadi, you know, my PR team advised me to remain silent on this matter. After all, international confrontations are becoming increasingly intense, and there are some things I can't comment on, lest I be used by politicians."

Cardi B's voice suddenly rose: "Alex, I know your difficulties, but I absolutely can't stand this bitch! You know, when my ancestors were smuggled into the US in shipping containers, his dad was still shining shoes for the KKK! Supporting American singers, supporting American talent? He signed an immigration ban that almost caused my cousin to miscarry and end up in ICE detention! You think setting off fireworks on the Hudson River pollutes the US, but what about when he threw tissues into Puerto Rico for disaster relief?"

"OK, OK, calm down, Cardi, calm down." Shen Juan couldn't hold back any longer and quickly smiled and reassured her, "I don't want us to make the news by discussing Donald's matter at the VMAs. I have a feeling that tonight will be an important moment for me, and I don't want other things to steal the public's attention."

Cardi B wasn't stupid; he naturally understood Shen Juan's implication, so he quickly backed down.

Of course, she did this partly out of self-interest.

After all, Shen Juan's popularity is just too outrageous right now, and it's hard to find a male singer who can rival him in the short term.

Four years ago, when Bieber announced his comeback with the new album "Purpose," we could have had a real battle with him.

But it's clearly no longer his era.

After her meteoric rise to fame last year, her popularity has been declining ever since, so she urgently needs to find a friend who can revive her online popularity.

Shen Juan was undoubtedly the version of the answer she had found.

The awards ceremony officially began at 8 p.m.

Taylor Swift took the stage and performed her new songs, "You Need To Calm Down" and "Lover," to open the show.

The atmosphere at the scene was instantly ignited, with screams and cheers ringing out continuously. As a well-known "friends and family group" member, Shen Juan also transformed into the president of Swifties' fan club in front of the live broadcast camera, singing along to Taylor's two new songs throughout the entire performance, winning the favor of Swifties.

Actually, for many singers, as long as they manage their careers properly, they can share a lot of fans with both sides.

For example, Shen Juan and Ariana Grande gained a large number of fans through the new North American version of the unforgettable "Alexana" CP.

Then, these CP fans were further converted into solo fans and casual fans of the two individuals, and both sides gained a lot of benefits.

Although the two's individual fans have often argued and fought over the disbandment of the CP (couple pairing), this is a natural phenomenon in the entertainment industry and cannot be avoided.

But fans and music lovers
Or rather, fan popularity and general popularity are two completely different concepts that need to be distinguished.

Just like the reason why Shen Juan's Leviathan Era tour was a box office hit in North America, it was mainly due to the support of a large number of popular fans. Thanks to previous collaborations and interactions, not only his fans, but also some fans of Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, and Justin Bieber came to his concert.

These are all casual fans that Shen Juan cannot ignore.

After the opening performance, the host took the stage.

The award ceremony will proceed as usual:
The prizes are awarded in order from the smallest to the largest.

During this period, the pre-recorded stage performance of Shen Juan's "Blinding Lights," which drew criticism from netizens across the United States, was also released.

At the beginning of the video, the lighting was dim, and Shen Juan was lying on the ground with his face covered in war makeup, scars and bloodstains, as if he had just woken up from a chaotic hangover.

As the music began, the flashing blue and orange lights reflected each other as Shen Juan staggered to his feet and walked slowly forward.

"I've been tryna call. I've been on my own for long enough. Maybe"

As they walked and sang, they arrived at the edge of the observation deck located 100 stories above a skyscraper in Manhattan, New York.

This is the highest point in New York.

Beneath my feet lies a bustling metropolis, surrounded by dazzling lights.

At that moment, a helicopter hovered overhead, its loud roar mingling with the singing, pushing the atmosphere to a new climax, with screams and cheers rising and falling.

Then, not long after, everyone witnessed the cool scene that even Donald couldn't resist joining the fight.

As the song reached its climax, with Shen Juan shouting "New York Cityyyy!!!", a dazzling display of fireworks suddenly burst forth over the Hudson River in the distance. The colorful fireworks illuminated the night sky, complementing the city's enchanting lights and also illuminating Shen Juan's stunning face.

If people hadn't known beforehand how disruptive the performance would be, it would have seemed to everyone that the whole of New York was immersed in the enchanting music and dreamlike scene.

The live stream camera focused on the group of singers and fellow performers in the audience.

Some of them were singing along softly, some were swaying to the melody, some were excitedly filming with their phones, and some were serious and unresponsive, seemingly siding with the Hudson Riverside residents and trying to condemn Shen Juan in this way.

Meanwhile, fans around the world watching the VMAs live also shared their feelings online.

[A god among gods! Alex is my god!]

[Wow! This live performance was even better than the music video! Alex is so charismatic! Singing on the observation deck must have been so awesome! So, was the sudden announcement that the fireworks over the Hudson River were for Alex a warm-up for this amazing stage performance?]

[I must say, the Manhattan skyline is truly mesmerizing, especially that fireworks show in the middle—it was absolutely stunning! I think the sacrifices made by the residents of Hudson Yards to create such a breathtaking spectacle were worthwhile, so Alex was right; I don't think he did anything wrong.]

Wow, this Leviathan Era tour is really something! They've pulled off such a massive production; it's a total hit!

[I'm dressed all in red, like I'm performing at the New York branch venue of the CCTV Spring Festival Gala, hahaha! This is hilarious!]

[It's always great no matter how many times I listen to it; skyscrapers, transparent stands, helicopters, fireworks. It's so awesome!]

[Let a Chinese person stand atop a Manhattan skyscraper overlooking the entire city of New York. What's wrong with our country?]

[He's so handsome! I love him to death! What the hell is a true Gen Z pop king?! (Leans back)]

With this stage set up, Blind Light's reign on the charts is going to be extended even further. Is Wajuan really going to dominate the charts for a whole year?

[The sound from those two helicopters was so loud, and the sound recording was so good—that stage was absolutely amazing! I just want to know how Pug feels when he sees this video at home. It must feel terrible to suddenly have his little brother climbing on his head! (laughs)]

Although this stage caused quite a bit of controversy some time ago, and Shen Juan suffered tons of attacks and accusations.

But judging from the decibels of the screams from the fans at the scene and the frequency of online discussions, it doesn't seem as bad as imagined.

At least the praise and compliments completely suppressed and covered up the original doubts and insults.

This allowed him to weather this setback relatively smoothly and smoothly, enabling him to continue and begin a new chapter in his career.

　Sorry, I had to go out and take care of something during the day, so I'll probably have to work overtime during my rest time in the evening to finish the chapter I owe.

　　
　　
　
(End of this chapter)