The Greatest Showman - Chapter 1040

After the song ended, Renly sat quietly on the high stool, his emotions still swirling inside him, almost completely out of control. He needed a moment to regain his composure.

"One-More-Light" was undoubtedly the most challenging song Renly had ever created.

He had stripped away all the intricate arrangements, leaving only the raw emotion—no peaks, no valleys—just pure sadness and pain expressed gently, calmly. And yet, this wasn't a folk arrangement; it was a rock song. The inspiration came in fleeting moments, fragmented and elusive. It took three months to complete, but only after finishing the entire song did Renly finally accept the reality that Heather Cross was gone, a weight he would carry for the rest of his life.

Before the performance, Renly had hesitated. He almost chose to abandon the song. The emotions tied to it were too personal, too private. Performing it would expose the rawness of his grief, leaving him vulnerable, almost breathless. The emotional outburst that occurred on stage had proven just how difficult it was for him to show such vulnerability. It was like standing naked before the audience, completely exposed.

The experience reminded him of his acting career.

For actors—and artists in general—their work demands that they dissect their inner selves in front of others, sharing their souls and deepest thoughts, even the most private aspects of their lives. Art stems from life, and while it can transcend it, it can never be detached from it. Artistic creation is rooted in one's own experiences and understanding. Only those who dare to reveal themselves fully, without reservation, can produce performances that truly resonate with their audience.

Many wonder why European actors are often so bold, so willing to expose their bodies.

The answer lies in the fact that for truly great actors, exposing the mind and soul is the real challenge, confronting their inner demons and nightmares. In comparison, physical nudity is a simple, superficial display. The emotional exposure is far more daunting.

Renly felt a twinge of fear as he stood on stage, realizing the rawness and depth of emotion tied to the song. He would be showing his own fragility, his own grief, and that took more courage than he was ready to give.

But in the end, Renly chose to perform.

It wasn't just about fulfilling his responsibilities to the Heather-Cross Foundation or to his public persona; there was something deeper. Renly had made a personal choice to share this song, choosing "Another Light" over "Say You Won't Give Up," a song that had been a private promise between him and Heather. The latter would be released eventually, with all proceeds going to the foundation, but Renly would never perform it publicly again.

After singing, Renly lowered his eyes, letting out a long breath, his emotions slowly calming. When he looked up again, the audience's lights were still shining, their collective energy radiating from the stage. The crowd's energy was overwhelming, their cheers echoing across Manhattan.

The ratings for that episode of The Today Show were off the charts—12 million viewers tuned in live, with the performance breaking all sorts of records. The "Another Light" performance alone reached an audience of over 16 million, setting new benchmarks for television ratings in the U.S.

Even Warner Bros. was stunned by the results. They had never expected that a simple charity initiative to promote Edge of Tomorrow would lead to such widespread success. What had started as a mere collaboration for publicity turned into one of the most significant media events of the year.

"Thank you," Renly chuckled, regaining his composure. He looked out at the audience, his gaze filled with gratitude. "I mean..."

Before he could continue, Paul Walker rushed up and enveloped Renly in a warm hug. The embrace was tight, the kind that spoke volumes without saying a word. Paul clapped Renly on the back, his support evident in the simple gesture.

The hug left Renly feeling a little overwhelmed. "Paul, I'm fine. Seriously, I'm fine," Renly assured him.

Only then did Paul release him, his eyes reddened. "Are you sure?"

Renly smiled softly and nodded. "Yes, I'm sure."

To Renly's surprise, Paul pulled him into another hug, even tighter than before. When he finally let go, Renly saw Jennifer Lawrence standing before him.

The two exchanged a long look. It was the first time they'd openly acknowledged Heather's death, and the moment felt like it spanned across time. Jennifer seemed unsure, her eyes flitting away before gathering the courage to meet Renly's gaze.

As if on cue, Alexander Skarsgård, Rami Malek, and Donald Glover all stepped forward, one by one, each offering a warm, supportive hug. Renly laughed awkwardly. "Guys, really, no more hugs. I swear, the audience didn't tune in to watch us fall in love. They probably want to see us act."

The room erupted into laughter, the tension lifting. The audience, energized by the lighthearted moment, waved their phones in the air, creating a dazzling effect that filled the venue like a club. The scene transformed into a celebration of life and connection.

As the crew slowly began to leave, Renly and Jennifer stood alone, exchanging a final, quiet glance.

Renly, seeing Jennifer's vulnerability, stepped forward and gave her a gentle hug, pulling the microphone aside and whispering, "I'm fine. How about you?"

Jennifer had always carried herself with a mature, composed demeanor, but in this moment, it was clear she was still processing the profound loss. She hesitated, then said with a trembling voice, "I... I'm fine. Don't worry about me."

She wiped a tear from her cheek, a smile breaking through. "You know what? Heather always believed you could do this. And she was right."

"I know," Renly said, his voice steady. He gave Jennifer a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Go sit down, we're live right now."

Jennifer nodded and walked toward the guest seats. Renly followed her, and as they sat, the hosts took the stage. Matt Lauer grinned and said, "That was incredible. And I have to ask—who came up with the idea for the phone lights? I'm almost blind from them, but it was genius!"

Ann Curry picked up the thread. "From what I understand, it wasn't planned. The audience spontaneously raised their phones as a response to Renly's performance."

Before she could finish, the audience erupted in cheers once again. The cheers reverberated through the high-rise buildings surrounding them, creating an unforgettable atmosphere. Even the hosts were momentarily speechless.

"Renly," Matt called, interrupting his thoughts, "We need your help. The broadcast needs to keep going, but we need to settle things down."

By then, Renly had completely regained his composure. The intensity of the performance was now behind him, and he turned his focus back to the event. He had made a commitment, not just to Heather's foundation, but to the people who needed it most.

"Maybe you should remind them to charge their phones," Renly teased. Before he could finish, the lights began to fade, one by one, until they were gone completely. The once blinding lights disappeared, leaving only the setting sun above.

A cool breeze swept through, causing goosebumps to rise on Renly's skin as reality slowly settled in.

Seeing the lights dimmed, both Matt and Ann chuckled. "It really is Renly."