The Greatest Showman #817 – Charisma

Ned Mulan (Ned-) pushed open the door to the studio and quickly walked inside. His fellow reporters were packing up their equipment, and they exchanged polite nods as he passed by. He noticed Renly sitting on a high chair.

Renly wore an azure blue sweater paired with smoky gray suit trousers and light brown brogue leather shoes. There was an air of casual relaxation about him, with a hint of fatigue visible between his brows. Yet, the smile on his lips remained easygoing and at ease. His golden-brown curly hair hung loosely, exuding a gentlemanly aura without a trace of pretension.

Unable to resist, Ned instinctively raised his camera and clicked the shutter. The sound caught Renly's attention, prompting him to lift his gaze. Ned hurried forward, offering an apologetic smile.

"Good afternoon, Renly. I'm Ned Mulan from Empire magazine, one of the official media partners of the Berlin Film Festival. Please excuse my impoliteness earlier."

Renly chuckled lightly. "As for portrait rights, the Berlin Film Festival Organizing Committee will handle that with you."

Ned froze for a moment, then grinned. Renly tilted his head slightly, as if contemplating something, before continuing, "You're the reporter who chased me down in the hallway after this morning's press conference, asking for my autograph, right?"

Ned blinked in surprise. "You remember me?"

Renly smiled warmly. "It's not every day that a reporter asks for an actor's autograph. Especially right after a press conference. How could I forget?"

Ned's face turned slightly red, but he quickly regained his composure. "Actually, it wasn't for me, but for my niece." He took a seat across from Renly. "She's a sophomore in college in London, and her first boyfriend went to Edinburgh. After a year of long-distance, they finally broke up. Then she saw Love Crazy in the cinema."

Ned didn't elaborate further but shrugged with a slightly regretful expression. "I mean, she went crazy for it—watched it over twenty times, and still can't get enough. She's practically obsessed." He paused, sighing deeply. "I thought maybe, just maybe, you could offer her some comfort."

Renly nodded thoughtfully. "Maybe you should tell her what the director of Love Crazy said—Jacob and Anna can't be together, but that doesn't mean they don't love each other anymore."

Ned stopped, considering Renly's words, before nodding slowly. "I'll tell her."

"By the way, why didn't you ask for the autograph during the interview?" Renly inquired with curiosity.

Ned scratched his head, thinking for a moment. "It's a personal matter, not a professional one. I didn't want to mix the two." Renly nodded, understanding. Although the UK and the US were home to a media landscape filled with paparazzi, there were still reporters like Ned who upheld strong professional ethics and followed their journalistic passions.

"I also owe you thanks," Ned added. "Thank you for agreeing to sign. It really means a lot."

Renly waved his hand, downplaying it. "It's nothing. Glad I could help."

Ned paused for a moment, then nodded. "Can I ask you something in return?"

Renly raised an eyebrow. "Of course."

"Why do you think Love Crazy became so popular in the UK?" Ned asked, genuinely curious.

Renly leaned back slightly, giving the question some thought. "Honestly, I didn't expect this kind of response. When I arrived at the hotel yesterday and saw how many people cheered for me, I was taken aback. I truly love the work, but it's still an independent film. The reception it's received is incredible."

Ned, sensing Renly's sincerity, smiled. "Renly, may I ask another question? Did you really watch Love Crazy with full attention? More specifically, have you watched your own performance closely?"

Ned leaned forward slightly. "The film isn't just about a long-distance relationship. It's also about love, loneliness, dependence, and impulse. Everyone can relate to some part of it—whether it's the warmth of love or the cooling of passion."

He added with a small chuckle, "I love this work not because it resonates with me personally. I'm still single," he said with a grin, making Renly laugh. "But I appreciate how you brought something unique to it. Watching Jacob fall in love was wonderful, but the real emotional power came from his loneliness and that overwhelming vulnerability. That's where the true power of the movie lies—the power of performance."

Renly gave a small smile, visibly touched by the sentiment. He had never really looked back at his own performance in Love Crazy, but hearing Ned's perspective made him reconsider. Perhaps this could be a way to improve his craft even further.

"Thank you for the compliment," Renly said, his voice sincere, though his expression hid deeper thoughts.

Ned couldn't find a suitable response. He noticed the faint spark in Renly's eyes, and the corner of his mouth twitched upwards, returning the smile. "My pleasure," he replied, his words reflecting the truth.

"So, Renly," Ned continued after a moment, "why did you decide to become an actor? What made you fall in love with movies in the first place?"

It was the first time someone had asked him that question since Pacific War, and Renly was taken aback by the inquiry. The Berlin Film Festival felt different—it brought out a sense of nostalgia.

Renly hesitated, as though the question had transported him back to his previous life. He then smiled and spoke softly, "Have you ever seen The Truman Show? Ever wondered if there's someone—or something—controlling our lives from afar? Maybe God is just a group of ordinary people in a higher civilization, or even aliens from another world."

Ned stared at Renly, his curiosity piqued. There was something in Renly's eyes—a gleam that reminded him of a child's pure and untainted love for cinema. It was evident that Renly's passion for film was still as strong and as genuine as it had been when he first fell in love with it.

The 30-minute interview flew by in a blink of an eye.

Ned, who had worked at Empire magazine for almost six years, had interviewed countless actors, directors, and artists. Each conversation left him with a different impression, but what stood out about today's interview was the ease and warmth in Renly's responses. After a busy press conference and a slew of interviews, Renly still exuded a sense of freshness and authenticity. That was rare.

Looking back on the conversation, Ned found himself eagerly anticipating Transcendence—not just for the film itself, but for Renly's performance. The power of an actor was in their ability to leave a lasting impact.

"One last question," Ned asked, leaning forward. "Two weeks ago, the Oscar nominations were announced. With your outstanding performance in Love Crazy, you've earned a nomination for the second consecutive year. If you win, what will happen next?"

Renly laughed heartily, "Let me dream for a moment," he said with a twinkle in his eye. Then he paused, as though imagining the possibilities. "Winning an Oscar would be exciting, but life goes on. A statue can be an important recognition, but it doesn't prove I'm the greatest actor. It just means that, in that moment, I won the hearts of the Academy judges."

There was a quiet confidence in Renly's words, tempered with humility—something rare for a twenty-two-year-old actor.

Renly then gave a playful smile. "Wait, is that a standard answer? Shouldn't I sound more formal?" His playful tone and the serious expression he wore created a delightful contrast, making Ned smile broadly. In that moment, Ned realized he was almost a fan of Renly.

The interview wrapped up quickly as the next group of reporters arrived, their cameras ready for the next round of questions. As the crew moved into position, Ned stood up, excusing himself and nodding to his peers. He looked at Renly, who was already standing and extending his hand.

"This was a wonderful interview. I hope your niece finds the warmth and happiness she deserves," Renly said with a smile.

Ned was momentarily caught off guard but took Renly's hand with a widening grin. "Thank you!"