Huayu: Starting from the top talent show

Chapter 430 You should be glad you were born in his era

Online discussions about Shen Juan winning the Grammy Album of the Year award for "Leviathan" continue and are intensifying.

However, the awards ceremony is already in its final stages.

The live stream time was strictly controlled.

There were no intermission performances following the album of the year.

We proceeded directly to the awards ceremony for the year's productions.

The host and award presenter, Sister Gun, took the stage.

On the big screen, the nomination videos began to play.

Bon Iver's "Hey, Ma", Billie Eilish's "Bad Guy", Ariana Grande's "7 Rings", Hermès' "Hard Place", Brush's "Talk", Li Nacha and Shen Juan's remix of "Old Town Road", Li Zhuojie's "Truth Hurts", and Shen Juan's "Blind Light".

(In fact, many songs in Leviathan, such as Blind Light, Sunflower, and Circles, are eligible for Grammy nominations, but there are only a few nominations each year, and it's impossible for Shen Juan, a Chinese, to monopolize the nomination list. So Blind Light can only compete as the hope of the whole village.)
As the name suggests, this award is primarily judged based on the overall production quality of the song, and has nothing to do with the singer.

Similar to the previously awarded Song of the Year.

It can only be said that, apart from China, most of the top ten music markets place great importance on the behind-the-scenes personnel involved in song production.

Only in this way can we drive the industry to make continuous progress.

However, considering that most of the singers currently active in Europe and America have songwriting abilities and personally participate in song production (the songwriters get so much money that even if the singers don't know how to write, they have to force themselves to take on the role), it can basically be seen as singers and production teams sharing the credit.

In previous Grammy Award predictions, Billie Eilish, Ariana Grande, and Jennifer Lawrence were the three most popular candidates to win.

Shen Juan accounts for 65%, Billie Eilish 15%, and Ariana Grande 8%.

Yes, those three were indeed in the top three in the vote.

However, the vote difference was quite large; even if all the votes of the other seven were doubled, they still couldn't beat Shen Juan alone.

Although the Grammy Awards never follow public opinion.

These judges have their own set of scoring criteria.

But such a high approval rating does indeed reflect just how popular and beloved the song "Blind Light" is.

As the undisputed number one hit song of the streaming era, "Blinding Lights" truly deserves these accolades!

Even if the Grammys were to play a game of checks and balances, this award should still go to Blind Light, because they've already given Billie Eilish her No. 1 of the year.

So when Shen Juan returned backstage with the phonograph trophy, less than two minutes later, before he even had a chance to return to his seat and share his joy with his colleagues and friends, he heard Sister Gun on stage call out his name again, and the familiar melody that he had heard many times that night rang out once more.

"Blinding Lights!"

"Alex Shen!"

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!"

Applause, screams, and cheers mingled together, and the Staples Center once again went wild for Shen Juan!
The afternoon's preview premiere ceremony saw 3 out of 6 nominations approved!
Best Pop Album.

Best popular combination.

Best music video.

At the main awards ceremony tonight, 3 out of 4 nominations were accepted!
Best Pop Artist.

Album of the Year.

Annual production.

He won a total of six phonograph trophies in a single competition.

What is this concept?
Even someone as great as MJ could only win a maximum of eight!
Therefore, without a doubt,
Shen Juan is the biggest winner tonight!
He made a joke he made to the red carpet host about three hours earlier into a visible reality.

Stand out or be eliminated.

He always keeps his word.

Amidst continuous applause and congratulations, he composed himself and went back on stage to receive the final award of the evening's ceremony—Production of the Year.

"To be honest, I didn't prepare that many acceptance speeches tonight because I didn't expect to win so many awards. The first two times I went on stage, I had already exhausted all the words in my brain." Shen Juan's fingers unconsciously stroked the base of the phonograph, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

"But I still want to thank the Recording Academy for their recognition. Your decision has greatly inspired musicians from all over the world. And I thank each of my colleagues. The incredible music you have created has become a bridge for communication between people."

"Thank you to my parents, your unwavering support allows me to always stride forward without any worries!"

"Of course, I also have to thank my fans, my beloved Alovers, this phonograph trophy is for you!"

"I mean"

"I pursue fame and fortune, but my ambition lies in the world."

"I enjoy pressure and am obsessed with pain."

"Without you, I wouldn't be standing here."

"Without you, I could not have achieved what I wanted."

"Please don't feel that our relationship has become distant, because you were the ones who brought me here."

"You mean everything to me."

"Then, every trophy is earned through hard work. I strive to move forward and improve, and you all support and trust me. For me, it is your recognition that makes my debut meaningful. I became an artist to gain everyone's love, and after experiencing so much together, I believe we have developed a strong rapport and emotional bond. So..."

Shen Juan paused for a moment, then looked sincerely at the live broadcast camera in front of him, and with a smile extended an extremely earnest invitation to all Alovers around the world, as well as those potential audiences who might become his fans, "How about we create an era from scratch together?"

"This road will be difficult, but it will also be very interesting."

“I’ll make it fun.”

A high-definition camera directly in front of him was aimed at Shen Juan, projecting his magnificent face onto live streaming screens around the world.

The cinematic artistry shines brightly at this moment.

That boy from Shanghai who sang and danced to gain fans' love is now a globally renowned pop superstar.

This scene feels so incredibly fateful!

The whole person and the whole picture are filled with divinity!
This drove tens of thousands of fans into a frenzy.

They had never imagined that a celebrity would extend such a solemn and grand invitation to them in such a sincere and earnest tone, with such genuine and clear eyes, a gesture that was almost a marriage proposal, yet also incredibly exciting.

Shen Juan will never forget the path he came from.

It wasn't because he won me over with his superior qualities in every way, but because he truly understood me and truly loved me.

Alex and Alovers are always going in opposite directions!

Therefore, many people were moved to tears instantly.

I just feel like they've never made a mistake in supporting the wrong person in their lives!
I just think Shen Juan is a really, really good person!
I just feel that Shen Juan is the best idol in the world!

[Please. Are you playing a "don't cry" challenge with us? Fine, I admit you win. I just burst into tears like a baby! How could anyone in this world resist Shen Juan's charm?! He used to beg everyone to vote for him on talent shows, not to forget his child, and now he's standing on the grandest stage, enjoying flowers and glory! This journey has been so heartbreaking; Alovers have always been there for him! He will always be my deepest pride!]

Alex's core is incredibly powerful! He's full of vitality, ambitious, and never wallows in self-pity. He's always confident in his abilities, yearns for recognition and accolades, and relentlessly pushes himself forward. This core is precious and rare; it's difficult for others to replicate. That's why he not only achieved worldwide fame with a string of hit singles, captivating audiences, but also maintained a continuous stream of fans, becoming a source of faith and spiritual support for countless people, a beacon of light in their hearts.

I met Shen Juan when I first developed social anxiety. My grandmother was sick, and my parents had no time to spend with me. I didn't want to trouble them because they were so busy. During that time, I cried in bed almost every night. Then one day I suddenly saw Shen Juan online. From that day on, I've been happy every day, and I've learned a lot from his posts and from him. Thank you! Perhaps I didn't know you before, but I will always be there for you in the future!

"I enjoy pressure, I'm obsessed with pain." Wardfa! What a powerful statement! Pressure is the privilege of a king, and pain keeps one constantly alert and insatiable—this is the true shining moment for human stars! In my opinion, Alex, still under 22, has already surpassed the limits of what a singer should be; he is one of the symbols of our generation!

[If I had to explain why I like Shen Juan, it might be his looks or his music, but most importantly, it's his thoughts and soul, and his love for his fans. He never forgets Alovers after winning awards, so how could I not love him, how could I not support him, how could I not keep him in my heart? Let's walk together to the end! Thank you to that ambitious young man from Shanghai who became the renowned Alex, and thank you for the honor of being an Alovers fan!]

From a quiet exit to raising the trophy high, from obscurity to global fame, from dream to transcendence! Suddenly, I understand what Juanjuan said on Weibo: "The green hills may be slightly inferior to my glory." This moment is the pinnacle of Shen Juan's life so far! So please remember this moment well. Although I believe his future will be even more brilliant, the Shen Juan who was so spirited and full of youthful vigor at 21 will never be seen again.

[I hate that I didn't meet him sooner. I like him because he genuinely likes us. I've truly felt so much love and joy from Shen Juan. I'll never meet anyone else in my life who moves me so deeply. This is Shen Juan, a once-in-a-lifetime person!]

These hidden gems of the piano keys have been discovered by a select few great artists. They have helped us awaken within us what resonates with the themes they have discovered, pointing us to the rich and varied treasures hidden within our hearts, treasures we knew nothing of, believing our souls to be blank and empty, occupied by unexplored and awe-inspiring darkness. Alex makes this world a better place.

At approximately 9 p.m. Pacific Time, the 62nd Grammy Awards ceremony officially came to a close.

The live stream was interrupted, and the fans left.

Inside the venue, where singers, guests, and social celebrities gathered, everyone was making the most of the moment to say their final social goodbyes.

As the biggest winner in the global music scene tonight and even throughout the past year, Shen Juan is naturally the most popular one.

A-mei, carrying her heavy dress in both hands, ran towards Shen Juan and gave him a warm hug.

"You really did it! I know how much effort you put into this album, and everything you've achieved is hard-won. You absolutely deserve it, Alex. I'm truly, truly happy and proud of you from the bottom of my heart! You will always hold the most important place in my heart!"

She was somewhat disappointed that her best-selling album to date failed to win Album of the Year.

But she wasn't a jealous woman like Camilla, prejudiced against Shen Juan; she was well aware of the gap between them. In fact, if the Grammys awarded her Album of the Year, she'd probably be too embarrassed to go on stage to accept it, because everyone knew how dominant Leviathan was, and everyone knew how formidable Alovers' fighting power was. Anyone who dared to defeat Leviathan in that situation would be subject to online harassment!

So when the results were announced, I was only slightly upset for a short while before I regained my energy.

This thing is a hot potato.

Apart from Shen Juan, no one is immune to burns.

They didn't want to become, for no reason, the knife in the Grammys' hands, used to demonstrate their supreme power through murder.

Then, DuaLipa, who was presenting Billie Eilish with the Newcomer of the Year award that evening, walked over with a smile.

"Your speech tonight has opened our eyes. If I were your fan, I think I would lose my mind and fall madly in love with you, even to the point of being willing to die for you. To be honest, the bond between you and your fans makes me jealous, and I must send you my blessings."

Shen Juan gave her a polite hug. "So when are we going to watch an Arsenal game together?"

“Alex, you know I always have time, as long as you want,” Dualipa laughed happily.

As a British female singer who has absolutely no conflict of interest or interpersonal issues with Shen Juan, Pa Jie really wants to get along well with Shen Juan, because this will make it easier for them to collaborate in the future. Whether Shen Juan asks her to feature or she asks Shen Juan to feature, it will be of great benefit to her career development!
Immediately afterwards, Billie and her brother came over and hugged Shen Juan, and once again congratulated and blessed him.

"You were absolutely amazing when you gave your acceptance speech! You had this inexplicable charm that made people want to believe in you and follow you. Compared to you, we seemed so perfunctory. If I have the chance to go on stage to receive an award again, I will definitely prepare a speech that is even better than yours!"

"Does that mean we'll be rivals again next year?" Shen Juan didn't harbor any hatred or disgust towards Bili herself.

He was simply annoyed by the American media that forcibly linked them together and called them the "two Gen Z stars".

"Hahaha! So when are you planning to release your new album?" Billie Eilish really liked Shen Juan's personality.

"Around May of this year?"

"Have you decided on an album title yet?" Billie Eilish asked, then, seemingly feeling it wasn't appropriate to pry into her business privacy, added, "Um, I mean, if you don't mind, I'd like to satisfy my curiosity, after all, you're currently the hottest singer! I'm really looking forward to your new album!"

"The name has actually already been decided."

"What's your name?" Billie asked in a low voice.

"It was mentioned in my acceptance speech just now."

"What? You mean Sisyphus?"

Shen Juan shrugged noncommittally.

"Why this name?" Billie asked.

“There’s no reason why, or perhaps it’s just that the world made me choose it.” Shen Juan smiled, the compassion in his eyes making Bili freeze in place. “After all, in this era full of suffering and change, we must give people the strength to keep going, right?”

After separating from Billie and her brother, Shen Juan met a good black brother he had made in the United States.

"Alex, your speech tonight made me look like a complete idiot! My only regret now is that I didn't put more tissues in my pocket before I left home. I never imagined I'd be moved to tears by your acceptance speech at an awards ceremony."

Shen Juan gave his easily emotional Black friend a comforting hug, saying, "You're a boy who cries easily."

"No, I only cry for people or things that are worth my tears, and Alex, you happen to be one of them."

"It's okay. People who cry a lot are often mentally healthier. Sometimes you should let out your pent-up emotions."

So, do you cry secretly sometimes?

"of course not."

"Then your comforting words just now were not convincing."

"Everyone expresses their emotions in a different way."

"So your approach is..."

“Creation can turn these stories, emotions and experiences into your own legacy and preserve them forever.”

"The renowned Alex is indeed extraordinary."

"So, are you interested in joining us? I mean, recording tonight's story and everything that's happened during this time in lyrics, and then telling everyone through music." Shen Juan looked gently at his ever-ready younger brother and extended an invitation to him.

"You know, I could never have it!"

Without any hesitation, I gave a direct answer.

Li Na smiled happily.

He was smiling even more happily than when he received the award.

They were laughing so hard they almost cried!
He felt genuinely proud and honored by the senior brother who had pulled him out of the mire!
He was genuinely grateful to this mentor who had given him almost everything and taught him everything!

If we were to describe his emotional journey towards Shen Juan from a first-person perspective, it would be roughly as follows:
In November 2018, I released the original version of Old Town Road, but I didn't have the money to promote it at the time, so I made a lot of emojis and posted them everywhere I could to promote it.

A few months later, I finally made it onto Apple's country music chart, just barely making it to number 200.

But I still couldn't change the predicament of my life.

I am still homeless and destitute.

Then, at that very moment, praise God! My Messiah, my Savior, appeared without warning!
He was at the height of his career at the time, having just won his first number one single. I saw his name and heard his songs on the internet almost every day, so it's really hard to accurately describe how excited I was when I first met him in the coffee shop!
He was so high and mighty, but he was not only willing to work with me, a nobody who was nobody, but he even asked me if I would like to join his record company!

That is, Republic Records, which, in addition to him, also boasts a host of music industry heavyweights such as Taylor Swift, Drake, The Weeknd, and Ariana Grande!
Fxxk!

My answer is, of course, yes!

Even if you ask me a thousand times, I will still say I do!

No one could refuse such a wonderful invitation!
No one can resist collaborating with Alex, a natural leader who seems aloof but is actually approachable!

He is my angel, Messiah!

And just like that, two months passed.

Old Town Road's ranking on the B list continues to rise.

In early April last year, while Alex and Ariana were making waves as a couple through "Senorita," before my Old Town Road Remix, a collaboration with Alex, topped the Billboard charts, and before I had truly made a name for myself and changed my miserable life, my 20th birthday arrived.

I remember it was a warm spring day, the weather was great, and the California sunshine always made every child feel wonderful.

Then I received a call from Alex from across the ocean.

He was the first person to call and wish me a happy birthday that day. He bought me my first sports car, transferred $100,000 to my account so I could improve my life, move into my dream apartment, adopt a puppy to keep me company, and send my mother, who suffered from addiction, to a rehab center.

He said a lot to me, telling me to stay clear-headed and rational, to maintain my hunger for success, and to prepare myself for overnight fame.
I practically cried as I made that phone call.

Even now, I can still recall very clearly every word and sentence he said to me back then.

He did almost everything he could!
This Chinese person is absolutely the one I am most grateful to, most admire, most respect, and most unforgettable in my life!

His appearance and demeanor, his personal charm.
He's practically my savior god!
But I know he doesn't like talking about these things.

Therefore, I could only keep this gratitude in my heart as much as possible and try not to show it to him or make things difficult for him.

but now?
As a believer, I simply couldn't bear it any longer.

He's absolutely fucking awesome!
This is absolutely thrilling!

The past year of 2019 was an incredibly dreamlike year for each of them!
He released Leviathan, launched the Leviathan Era Tour, and became one of the most commercially successful male singers of his time.

Through Old Town Road and the singles I collaborated on with him, I instantly became a hot topic in the music industry.

He is world-renowned, and I am rising to fame.

He turned the world upside down, and I escaped the mire.

His achievements were great, and I followed suit and rose to prominence.

He completely changed my life!
so.
I've decided to share these stories about Alex and me on TikTok when I get home tonight!

I must let the world know just how good Alex is, I must let the world know just how great Alex is!
There was no disrespect intended towards MJ.

But I must let the world know.
In my heart, Alex is not only the leading pop superstar of this streaming era, but also the king of pop music!

You should all be grateful that you were born and raised in a pop music era that belongs to Alex Shen!
I don't care if I get attacked and cyberbullied by netizens.

Because I'm the same as him.
I am no longer constrained.

I have long since lost all fear.

(The image of Vajra in Nacha's mind)
　Today, May 520th, is the birthday of Wajuan Zhouye and Liu Haocun. Happy birthday to these three who share the same birthday! hhhh
　　Tomorrow is the final chapter of this volume, "King of Pop," so I need to tidy up and revise the outline for the next volume tonight...
　　Thank you all for your votes, monthly passes, and subscriptions!

　　Thank you Ulrike for the Zhou Ye character donation!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)