The Greatest Showman - Chapter 888: Mixed Feelings

"The Rookie of the Year winner is: Renly Hall."

John Legend's voice echoed through Staples Field. It wasn't Nicki Minaj, once a dominant force, or Skylake, the rising star of the night. No, it was Renly Hall—the biggest dark horse of the evening!

Unpopular, unassuming, the true underdog, who defied all expectations tonight.

Out of the five nominees for New Artist of the Year, the Grammys chose Renly, the youngest and least experienced. He was also a forgotten figure in recent years, struggling to make an impact in the world of ballads.

But this shouldn't have been a surprise. It's all part of a bigger trend. The Grammys had been honoring young, up-and-coming artists all night, continuing the momentum set by previous nominations. Their selection mirrored the award's commitment to nurturing artistic creation and the resurgence of folk music.

From Bon Iver to the Civil Wars, the Sons of Montfort to the Fosters, and now Renly Hall—the rise of indie folk was a dominant theme at this year's Grammys. If it weren't for the buzz around Adele vs. Bruno Mars, this would likely have been the night's main story.

The Grammys chose folk. Between 31-year-old Bon Iver and 22-year-old Renly, they picked Renly. A young, energetic creator preserving the retro folk tradition—this was the heart of the 54th Grammy Awards.

From the opening celebration of '90s legends like Bruce Springsteen, James Todd-Smith, and Whitney Houston, to the final nod to contemporary stars like Adele, Shrek, and Renly Hall, the Grammys brought everything full circle.

The night marked a turning point for an awards show long seen as stuck in the past. The Grammys had shown courage and innovation in embracing the new.

Yes, it may have seemed unconventional, but perhaps that's exactly what made it so perfect.

Shock, awe, surprise, and confusion gradually gave way to excitement and joy. The guests and audience clapped politely, eagerly scanning the crowd for Renly's reaction.

The 22-year-old actor turned musician, already a household name in Hollywood for his stunning performances, had now crossed into new territory. His dark horse win at the Grammys had stunned everyone.

It was all about timing. As the saying goes, "the right person at the right time." Renly had made history tonight, not through careful planning but by sheer coincidence—and a little bit of luck.

"Ahhh!" Annie gasped, covering her mouth, her excitement leaking through her fingers. "Renly! Renly! Yes!" she shouted, unable to contain herself.

Alex, equally excited, jumped in place, raising his arms high. "Renly, it's you! It's really you!" Robin beside him echoed the sentiment, "He did it! Renly won! It's him!"

Renly stood in shock. He had hoped for this, but now that it was happening, it felt like a dream. He hadn't even considered winning New Artist of the Year—his first win was already a surprise, but this? It was beyond anything he had ever imagined.

Hugging his two friends, Alex and Annie, Renly rose to his feet and made his way to the stage. The applause was deafening, and as he stepped forward, the weight of the moment sank in. There was anticipation, excitement, and disbelief in the air, and Renly felt every gaze heavy on him as he walked across the stage.

On stage, Renly smiled politely and nodded at John Legend, who handed him the gramophone trophy. John embraced Renly briefly, patting him on the shoulder with a look of admiration. "Man, this album is incredible! I'm serious," he said before stepping back, raising his hands in applause.

The audience roared with approval.

Renly stood at the microphone, still in disbelief as the applause surged around him. There were so many emotions rushing through him—too many to name, not even joy, but more a sense of overwhelming gratitude and awe.

"Three years ago," Renly began, "a friend named Stanley Charlesson told me: 'Hey, little guy, you're a born singer. Get on stage and show your charm.'" He paused, noticing the weight of the gramophone trophy in his hand. It felt heavier now, symbolic. "I told him, 'No, I'm an actor. No one wants to hear me sing unless it's karaoke.'"

The audience chuckled.

"Then there was George Slender, an old guy who said, 'You've got talent, we could make an album.' And then Heather Cross, she said, 'Renly, you're a good actor, but you can be a good singer too, you're going to be a great artist.'"

Renly's smile deepened as he glanced at his friends, Alex and Annie, who were watching intently from the audience.

Despite his smile, Annie could sense the melancholy in Renly's words, and her eyes began to tear up. She looked at Alex, who was also wiping his eyes. They silently squeezed each other's hands, sharing this emotional moment.

"Please forgive me, but I have to brag just this once," Renly continued with a small laugh, his self-deprecating humor breaking the tension. The audience roared with laughter and cheers.

Renly grinned, glancing down at the trophy. "So, 'Don Quixote' was born. Not because of me, but because of Stanley, George, Heather, Neil Tucson, and Herbert Jones. It's because of these true Don Quixotes who always followed their dreams and their music, that this album came to life."

Across the world, Neil raised his hands in joy, shouting, "Yo hoo! That's me! I'm Neil Tucson!" He was beside himself with excitement, while Stanley sipped his whisky quietly, content but emotional. George pretended to roll a cigarette, his trembling hands betraying his true feelings.

Renly's voice faltered. "Standing here, in front of 'Don Quixote,' in front of this gramophone trophy, I feel so small." His words were raw, breaking free from years of restraint.

The power of dreams had humbled him.

He had once believed he was only an actor, music just a hobby. But tonight, the success of "Don Quixote" hit him like a punch in the gut. In front of George, Stanley, Heather, and his dreams, he finally understood their belief in him.

For the first time, Renly understood that "Don Quixote" wasn't just about pursuing his dream as an actor—it was about embodying his full self as an artist, both actor and singer. He was not simply one or the other, but both.

"Salute to George Slender, and to Heather Cross," Renly continued. He knew they were watching at home, but there was one person who would never see this moment.

His voice faltered, the words caught in his throat, and Renly had to pause. Tightening his grip on the trophy, he took a deep breath. "Thank you to everyone who believed in 'Don Quixote,' and to everyone still chasing their dreams. This trophy is for you. Thank you."

The crowd applauded once more as Renly stepped off the stage. His speech had touched something deep within them all, and the audience could see the true spirit of the album—something far deeper than just fame or recognition.

Renly had become more than just a singer. He had become an artist.