A talent

Fingers relaxed, feeling the resonance between the strings and the air, leaving the soundhole, letting the notes dissipate gradually into the air, like spring water evaporating in the sunlight, disappearing and leaving behind a faint rainbow.

Hugo closed his eyes, feeling the surge of emotions within. Although the melody of "Sunburn" was slow and emotionally calm, the creative process had an unprecedented intensity for Hugo. Only in this way could the emotions conveyed by the lyrics be truly authentic and believable.

Creating "Sunburn" today had a tremendous impact on Hugo himself. It was different from his previous experiences. Before, Hugo would generate inspiration and let it freely combine to give birth to a song. But today, Hugo forced himself to concentrate and create, constructing the framework of a song without any ideas, and then filling it in with flesh and blood, ultimately completing the composition. This was a completely different creative process and a new test for the creator.

Fortunately, Hugo succeeded not only in completing the task but also did it beautifully. After traversing, it seemed that Hugo's understanding of music was constantly deepening. From the initial hesitations and lack of confidence during the creation process, to the passionate intensity of "Kill Your Heroes" and the free-soaring feeling of "Sunburn", it seemed that Hugo's musical talent was being gradually unearthed.

Hugo was uncertain whether it was due to the accumulation and maturation of his ten-year music career or the impact and benefits brought about by traversing. Perhaps it was because his previous self possessed unknown talents. Since the previous self had a strong foundation in classical literature, allowing Hugo to excel in works like "Dead Poets Society" and "Scent of a Woman", it was not impossible for his previous self to have hidden musical talents.

Regardless of the reason, during this year, Hugo's growth in music, although not comparable to his breakthroughs in acting, still brought him great joy. Music was always the most solid harbor in Hugo's heart.

The song "Sunburn" stirred up countless thoughts and memories in Hugo's mind. He had to close his eyes to calm himself and then open them again, only to be greeted by the entire audience rising to their feet, contributing the most fervent applause. This was the true climax of today's recording of The Oprah Winfrey Show!

Even Oprah couldn't help but stand up and applaud. This performance far exceeded her expectations, leaving her speechless at Hugo's outstanding talent. No matter how others saw it, Oprah knew that Hugo's talent was not limited to just "Next Time You See Me" or "Sunburn". Although she might not have a professional understanding of music, those genuine emotions easily touched her soul, and there was no doubt about it.

All 150 members of the audience, along with the show's staff, stood up and applauded, expressing their admiration for Hugo in the purest way through applause.

Hugo couldn't help but stand up, holding his guitar in his right hand, and slightly bowing to the audience to express his gratitude. Compared to street performances or rock nights, today's singing had more of a theatrical nature. It was also Hugo's first performance on a true stage after traversing, and not only that, but also as a singer. The significance of this performance far exceeded a simple act of entertainment.

The emotions in Hugo's chest surged, a smile blossomed on his lips, and confidence sparkled in his eyes. Hugo was too excited to find the exact words to describe his current state of mind. It was as if he had received recognition after the release of "Scent of a Woman", encountered obstacles after the premiere of "A Few Good Men", and learned about his Golden Globe nomination after Christmas. Hugo's 1992 was shining brightly, making him feel as if he were a god!

"Wow, Hugo, are you serious? Are you serious?" Oprah exclaimed excitedly. Her voice traveled through the pure applause, trembling slightly with excitement. "This is truly amazing. Let me tell you, this was what you just composed live."

"Hehe, yes, I composed it just now," Hugo replied with a smile, nodding. In fact, the melody of "Sunburn" had relatively little fluctuation; it was the inner turmoil of emotions that was more intense. So Hugo quickly gathered his emotions and returned to the recording of the show.

"You are truly a genius. I don't know how the experts see it, but as a layperson in music like me, you are a genius. Your brilliance... I-I'm speechless," Oprah wanted to heap praise upon praise, but she found that all the words seemed pale and weak. In the end, it was the simple language that appeared more genuine.

Only those who witnessed Hugo composing the song in person, going from zero to a finished piece in seven steps, and felt the emotional changes brought by "Sunburn", could understand Oprah's current feelings.

"If you keep saying things like this, I'll become proud," Hugo said, the pressure on his shoulders completely dissipating. As for how everyone would react after the television broadcast, it was not something Hugo needed to worry about at the moment. Therefore, a wide smile bloomed on his face.

Oprah nodded vigorously. "You can be proud. You deserve to be proud." Oprah knew that her bet had paid off! "Today, we have explored Hugo's greatest treasure together. I think I should find another time to sit down with Hugo and have a good conversation about music, to let him tell me why he has been hiding this talent as such an outstanding singer and creator."

Hugo looked at Oprah, his smile always on his lips. He realized that Oprah was starting to wrap up. Her gaze searched the studio, and indeed, nearly an hour had passed. The progress of the recording was much faster than he had imagined.

"Unfortunately, today's show is coming to an end." Indeed, Oprah began to conclude, but her face displayed a smile tinged with regret and a satisfied glow, because she knew that this episode was a success. "Today, we met the actor Hugo, and I believe that someday in the future, we will officially meet the singer Hugo. Let's look forward to that day! Thank you all for watching today's show."

After the conclusion, Oprah stood up and gave Hugo a big hug, patting his back with approval on her face.

Hugo had originally intended to turn around and leave according to his usual practice, but he didn't expect to be surrounded by journalists, which surprised him. After Joseph explained, Hugo understood that large-scale shows like The Oprah Winfrey Show would have reporters coming to the studio as observers. They could take photos, but it had to be approved by the show's team.

After the recording of the show ended, these media representatives were all buzzing with excitement. They immediately interviewed Hugo. If the ending song of "A Few Good Men" had previously piqued the interest of the journalists, after today's show, their interest was not the only thing present. Curiosity, excitement, and various emotions swarmed around.

With Joseph accompanying him, Hugo had a brief exchange with the reporters. Previously, the interview with Hugo published by the Los Angeles Times had mentioned that Hugo had some insights into music composition, and today the reporters were confirming it face-to-face with Hugo.

The next day, the Chicago Sun-Times quickly ignited the topic. "During the recording of the show, Hugo not only displayed his sunny and cheerful personality but also showed us his humility and humor. However, more importantly, Hugo's musical talent shocked all the present in the audience. It is hard to imagine that while people are marveling at Hugo's strong return as an excellent actor, they have also discovered his striking talent as a singer-songwriter."

"Perhaps there is even more waiting for us to explore in Hugo. Although he has been in the public eye for ten years, it seems that we still haven't truly understood this young man of only twenty-five. From his debut as a fifteen-year-old child and experiencing the ups and downs along the way, Hugo gritted his teeth and endured the pains of transformation, appearing before us in a completely new posture. We have every reason to have greater expectations for his future."

Not only the Chicago Sun-Times, but the Chicago Tribune, the major daily newspaper with the highest readership and advertising revenue in the Midwest, also reported on the recording of The Oprah Winfrey Show. In their coverage, they said, "Hugo's talent displayed in the show is on par with a double Golden Globe nominee."

Such top-notch praise instantly elevated 2A Few Good Men", which had just achieved its fourth consecutive championship, to a new height. People's anticipation for The Oprah Winfrey Show reached a new level as well.

Originally, the promotion of "A Few Good Men" had come to a close, but now, due to Hugo's "musical talent", it sparked a new round of discussion. Various shows were once again extending invitations to Hugo, as everyone seemed eager to personally verify whether Hugo's so-called musical talent was genuine or just a means for The Oprah Winfrey Show to attract viewers.

Although it was the eve of the new year, and most program production teams were on holiday, it didn't stop invitations from piling up on Joseph's desk, filling Hugo's schedule for January. This was a situation that neither Hugo nor Joseph had anticipated before recording The Oprah Winfrey Show. Such a surge in popularity made the upcoming new year festive and joyful.