The Greatest Showman #881 – Music Festival

Renly sat calmly in the backseat, his gaze fixed on the rearview mirror. He breathed steadily, unhurriedly, and methodically explained the itinerary for the upcoming days.

"This trip to Los Angeles is a three-day vacation, not just a day trip," Renly continued. "After the Grammys, we'll be taking Annie and Alex to Universal Studios, Disneyland, and a yacht tour, among other things. So, we need to ensure all pre-departure arrangements are thoroughly planned."

Nathan glanced at Renly through the rearview mirror, his eyes betraying a subtle weariness. He remained quiet, absorbing Renly's words but drifting into his own thoughts. It wasn't until Renly reminded him to confirm his preparations that Nathan snapped back to attention, nodding absently. "Right, I've confirmed everything. Nancy double-checked the details for us in Los Angeles."

Nancy Kingsley, Andy Rogers' personal secretary, had been tasked with ensuring every detail in LA was meticulously organized.

As Nathan began to drive away from Mount Sinai Hospital, the city of New York sprawled out in front of them. The night sky was cloudless, and the cold, reflective moonlight bathed the streets, creating a somber yet peaceful atmosphere. The weather was unusually clear after a cold front, lending an air of quiet desolation to the evening.

The next day unfolded without a hitch. Renly, Annie, and Alex boarded their flight from New York to Los Angeles, where they were greeted by the bustling chaos of Los Angeles International Airport. A swarm of reporters crowded the pick-up hall, all eager to catch a glimpse of Renly's arrival. The media buzzed with speculation: would Renly attend the Grammys?

The city was alive with the usual excitement of awards season, with half of the country's media gathering in LA. The airport was essentially a blockade of journalists, all vying for a piece of the action. To avoid the frenzy, Renly stepped out of the airport solo, drawing attention like a magnet as reporters scrambled to follow him. Meanwhile, Annie, Alex, and Roy managed to slip out smoothly, heading to the Hollywood Hilton Hotel.

With just 24 hours until the 54th Grammy Awards, Renly's vacation had only just begun.

Later in the afternoon, Renly took the two kids to Santa Monica beach. They basked in the warmth of California's sunshine, a welcome touch of spring in the midst of a cold winter. By the time they made their way back to the hotel, the kids were fast asleep, worn out from the day's activities.

As night fell in Los Angeles, the atmosphere was relaxed and warm. The cool sea breeze added a touch of sweetness to the air, quite different from the sharp, unyielding chill of New York.

The Grammy Awards, hosted by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, is the most prestigious music awards ceremony in the world. Since its inception in 1959, it has become a beacon of success in the music industry. Along with the Oscars, Tony Awards, and Emmys, the Grammys form the "big four" of American entertainment. Despite criticism over its increasing commercialization in the internet age, the Grammys still hold immense global significance.

This year, the 54th edition promised to be more high-profile than ever. Kanye West, Adele, and Bruno Mars led the nomination list, while other high-profile figures like Taylor Swift, Spitfire, and Paul McCartney also garnered significant attention. The unexpected death of music legend Hilton Whitby, just a week earlier, added an air of solemnity to the event, with a tribute scheduled in her honor.

However, amidst all the buzz, one name stood out: Renly Hall. The actor-turned-singer had made a splash with his album Don Quixote, a work that had become the talk of the town. His rise to prominence had been nothing short of meteoric, and his nominations in six categories only added to the intrigue surrounding his presence at the Grammys.

While the Grammys are undoubtedly a prestigious event, they still pale in comparison to the Oscars when it comes to star power. Actors continue to occupy the top spot in Hollywood, while musicians, despite their fame, remain second-tier celebrities. That said, Renly's accomplishments as both an actor and a musician made him a force to be reckoned with.

In the past two years, Renly had become one of Hollywood's hottest stars. His back-to-back Oscar nominations and box-office success with Edge of Tomorrow had cemented his place at the top of the entertainment industry. Meanwhile, his music career was equally on the rise. Don Quixote had dominated the charts, surpassing even Adele's and Bruno Mars' albums from the previous year. Renly's recent concert, A People's Concert, had generated so much buzz that it overshadowed the entire Grammy season, with fans and critics alike eagerly awaiting his next move.

Would Renly attend the Grammys tonight? The question was on everyone's mind, and the anticipation was palpable.

At Staples Center, the venue for the Grammys, over 300 reporters and nearly 1,500 fans crowded the entrance. The surrounding streets were closed off, but the swelling crowd showed no signs of diminishing. As the red carpet event began, the atmosphere reached a fever pitch. Fans screamed and cheered, while flashes from cameras lit up the night.

Among the press was Jordin Nicole, a reporter for Billboard. Jordin had easily secured a spot in the front row, but her mind was not entirely focused on the big names making their entrances. While everyone's eyes were on Adele, Jordin was just as eager to see Renly. She had been a fan of his music long before the release of Don Quixote, captivated by the raw, unrestrained soul of his melodies.

Unlike many, Jordin knew that Renly wasn't one to rely on hype or gimmicks. If anything, his quiet approach to the music industry made his talent all the more profound. She couldn't help but hope that Renly would grace the stage tonight, not for publicity, but because his presence would truly elevate the Grammys, overshadowing even the biggest stars of the evening.

The anticipation grew as the red carpet show continued, with eyes everywhere searching for one name—Renly Hall.