Chapter #907 - One Call, No Response

Eight hundred seventy, one call, no response.

The buzz around the news has only intensified, and yet the focus of the conversation has shifted. What was once a heated debate around "Is Renly Hall maliciously hyping?" or "Has Renly Hall fabricated the image of a gentleman?" has evolved into a more profound examination of the incident's true cause and driving force.

"Renly Hall: Beneficiary and Victim of the Internet Age."

What went wrong? Who is to blame? What boundaries were crossed?

This in-depth analysis, written by The New Yorker, delves into the details, offering a rich and nuanced perspective. The article draws sharp conclusions, highlighting the impulsivity and shallowness of a fast-paced society. It asserts that the very audience who condones or even pursues sensationalized news stories are, in fact, the key enablers of such incidents.

The New Yorker pointed out a critical issue: the spread of cyberbullying following Entertainment Weekly's report. Without awaiting official responses, the public jumped to conclusions, hastily spreading their judgment.

"Even criminal suspects have the right to defend themselves before the court renders a verdict, yet in the age of the internet, the very individuals at the center of the news have been stripped of this basic human right. Netizens, who regard themselves as arbiters of truth, make snap judgments without responsibility or accountability."

Compared to The New York Times, The New Yorker's report is both concise and piercing, pulling no punches and laying bare the essence of the issue, thereby igniting another round of heated public discourse.

As the entertainment media frenzy slowly spilled into other sectors, sociologists began weighing in, sharing their thoughts and analyses. Many aligned with the opinions in both The New York Times and The New Yorker, diving deeper into the phenomenon to reveal underlying truths, offering a fresh and unique perspective on what initially seemed like a simple news event.

The situation was rapidly spiraling out of control.

Control over the focus of the news had long since passed from Entertainment Weekly, US Weekly, The New York Times, and The New Yorker—it now rested entirely in the hands of the general public.

Everyone, equipped with their own education, economic status, religious beliefs, cultural background, and personal biases, could now interpret and reflect upon the events in their own way. The story grew increasingly complex, nuanced, and volatile.

Some still supported Entertainment Weekly, others turned to US Weekly, and yet others sided with The New York Times and The New Yorker.

Opinions on Renly varied wildly: Some viewed him as a sanctimonious hypocrite, while others praised his talent as an actor and artist. His name, once a mere symbol in the public consciousness, was now becoming more defined and vivid.

Some focused on the sensationalism of the news, indifferent to whether Entertainment Weekly's reports were true. To them, Hollywood was merely an entertainment machine, and if you're a famous actor, you should expect to be consumed by it. Others, however, began to express discomfort with the malice behind fabricated stories, and the deliberate twisting of events to gain attention.

Amidst the frenzy of awards season, the "hypegate" scandal was gaining momentum, nearly overshadowing the awards themselves. As the public's attention grew, Hollywood voices began to rise, some with unexpected clarity.

"Are you sure it wasn't a prank?"

Surprisingly, the first to step forward was actress Rooney Mara.

This actress, known for her career-defining role in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, had little public connection with Renly until now. However, in the midst of the media storm, Rooney didn't hesitate to show her support.

At the SAG Awards warm-up party, she casually brought up Renly in conversation, with no reporter prompting her.

"To be honest, if Renly was going to hype himself, the younger generation wouldn't know more about vampires than Renly Hall," she quipped, teasing Twilight with a smile. The room of reporters couldn't help but laugh.

Shrugging nonchalantly, Rooney continued, "As for the concert—it's my favorite of the past decade. While people focus on whether Renly's artistry is genuine, others are debating if it's all a publicity stunt. The truth is, it's just different."

"Rooney, did you attend the 'one-man concert'?" a reporter asked, surprised.

"Yes. And I loved it," Rooney responded with confidence, adding, "Before journalists start slandering someone, they should at least do their jobs: find the truth, not make things up like tabloid paparazzi."

Her unwavering support didn't stop there. Not only did she stand by Renly, but she also criticized the media for its role in the chaos. And she wasn't alone.

Paul Walker and Ryan Gosling took to social media, expressing their support for Renly.

"It's the most absurd news I've ever heard. Anyone who's met Renly knows he'd never do something like that. At the Toronto Film Festival, he'd rather watch a good film than deal with reporters," Paul tweeted.

Ryan posted a series of five tweets, reinforcing his stance: "Renly doesn't hype. He's a genuine actor, and that's enough."

Paul, rarely seen as emotional, also tweeted passionately, "Renly has never been about hype. He's an actor, and that's all he needs to be."

On his Facebook page, Ryan linked to Renly's Don Quixote album, urging his followers to listen closely.

Other stars, like Jennifer Lawrence and Felicity Jones, also voiced their support.

"I don't know where these stories are coming from, but I know Renly is nothing like what the media says. Viewers should think critically. This is absurd," Jennifer stated firmly.

Felicity shared a similar sentiment, adding, "I don't care about stories like this. I don't believe a word. Renly is a talented actor—Entertainment Weekly has got it all wrong."

Others, like Gal Gadot, Seth Rogen, Rami Malek, and Tony Kaye, joined in, sharing their backing for Renly. Even Jessica Chastain and Andrew Garfield weighed in.

"The so-called scandal was just a media construct," Jessica said, standing firm. "Renly is a victim of this manufactured frenzy."

Andrew took it a step further, revealing that Renly had been studying Chinese martial arts for his upcoming project, and had always quietly engaged in volunteer work—facts the media had overlooked in favor of creating a narrative.

Solidarity came from all corners of the industry, from actors like Gail, Seth, and Rami, to those like Jessica and Andrew with no previous connection to Renly. The flood of support was overwhelming, with even Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson weighing in with an unexpected statement.

The industry was shifting, and the truth was beginning to emerge.