The Greatest Showman #1054 - Behind the Mask

Afterwards, Bradley and Renly enjoyed a simple breakfast. Leaving the coffee shop, they began to stroll along Broadway.

They discussed the sudden rise of Buried Alive, the unexpected success of Crazy Love during the awards season, Renly's deep involvement in Anti-Cancer Me, and the strong momentum Edge of Tomorrow gained this summer. With success came criticism, but it seemed that no amount of negative publicity could diminish Renly's rising fame.

"When we talked about Don Quixote, Renly smiled helplessly for the first time. 'It was an accident,' he said. Even he hadn't expected the album to achieve such brilliance, let alone change the entire landscape of the North American music market."

Everyone knows that Don Quixote was produced by the gold-medal producer George Slender, who risked bankruptcy to make the album. However, few knew that before production began, Slender had visited Renly many times, trying to convince him to make the album. Renly had refused.

"Because it's a doomed album; also because I'm not a singer."

This was Renly's answer. He is an actor, nothing more. Music was simply a way for him to express his emotions, and that's why Don Quixote was so personal and moving. It was raw, with no pretenses, revealing the truest form of Renly Hall.

It was an unexpected name that finally convinced Renly to step into the studio and make the album: Heather Cross.

"Heather," Renly said, hiding behind the name. There was too much history there, which he refused to share. "That's my story and hers. I hope to respect her family and that memory. All you need to know is that there was once a girl who dreamed of standing on the American Idol stage and becoming a singer. But tragically, before she could step on that stage, her time was cut short."

"Beast, right? What song did Heather wish to sing?" I asked. But Renly didn't answer. He remained silent.

So here we are, in a place we can't return to, you're the face that made me go through fire and water. That's the name the children will inherit, casting the charm, casting the crown – "The Beast".

Don Quixote was making history on the Billboard charts, truly rewriting the story of folk music in the post-Bob Dylan era. But for Renly, that was never the intention. "I remember Nora Jones saying this back then, and I agree with it now: 'It's a piece about music. It's just about music.'"

Back then, Nora's album Flying Away created myths and became the most representative jazz album of the new millennium. It changed the perception of jazz for young listeners and contributed to the diversification of the music industry.

But Nora has repeatedly emphasized in interviews that Flying Away is not a pure jazz album, and she is not a jazz singer. Later, she explored modern rock and country.

For Nora, she never aimed to change history or the market; she simply followed her heart and made music. For Renly, it was the same—whether in music or film.

"Social networks," Bradley brought up next, and Renly laughed. "Why? Why don't you have a social network account yet? For a twenty-two-year-old, that's pretty abnormal."

"For me, social networks are just platforms for sharing, but all the sharing I want to do, I've already done through acting and music. So, I don't think social media is necessary," Renly replied earnestly, with the underlying message: I have no intention of sharing my personal life.

Bradley, however, wasn't ready to drop the topic. "But you could let an agent or assistant run it. You know, there's a team dedicated to managing social media. I can feel how much popularity you're gaining."

"Oh? I didn't feel it, but you actually do?" Renly said with interest.

"That's because you don't have a social network," Bradley retorted. "You should log into Facebook or YouTube. Just type in 'Renly Hall,' and you'll see countless interactions every day. Fans from all over the world post pictures of you at different events and locations. It's a craze."

"You know how much people are talking about you on Twitter after the Edge of Tomorrow premiere?" Bradley teased, but Renly didn't react.

"I don't really know what counts as 'a lot,'" Renly said with a shrug.

Bradley, feeling frustrated, added, "You've broken records on Twitter. You've been topping the charts for weeks now."

Looking at Renly, who remained unfazed, Bradley felt a sense of deep frustration. "You should really open a social network account. Even if you don't post anything, at least your audience would have a way to follow you. Plus, it's important for your official presence in the 21st century."

"I know," Renly said with a smile. As a Reborn, he was well aware of the growing influence of social networks and their increasing importance. "Maybe I'll open one soon. Just to surprise you."

Bradley narrowed his eyes, skeptical, but Renly only chuckled softly. "I'm serious."

Bradley refused to believe it. But Renly's smile lingered, and the conversation moved on.

The mornings in Manhattan are always special. They're so busy that you barely have time to catch your breath. Even waiting at a traffic light feels full of activity. But there's also a strange illusion that time is standing still—the world is vast, and I am small, a feeling that invites reflection.

"I thought today's interview was supposed to be about this production, not about future plans," Renly quipped with a mischievous grin. "I'm pretty sure there's a PR assistant somewhere directing the conversation, so let's talk about the present."

When I asked about Renly's next project, his answer was playful, light-hearted, and witty. He always made conversations feel refreshing and enjoyable.

Has anyone ever questioned whether this is just a PR strategy? Or a carefully engineered image? Or maybe a perfectly packaged act?

But after a real, face-to-face conversation, it becomes clear that the persona on TV is just the tip of the iceberg. The real Renly is not just what he says or does in front of cameras. It's the way his charisma shines naturally between gestures, beyond media or interviews. He is always real.

During the interview, a stranger approached Renly on the bustling Manhattan streets. It wasn't a typical fan, but a middle-aged man dressed as a Wall Street elite. He was clearly excited, holding Renly's hand with both of his. "Thank you," he said, "for remembering every ray of light, even those that seem so insignificant."

The memory of Another Light and its impact on audiences came rushing back. The man was referring to the song that had left countless lasting impressions during its live performance on The Today Show. "That ray of light shines on everyone, lighting up their world," he continued.

As a reporter, Bradley found this encounter particularly interesting. Sometimes, bystanders and participants alike can experience a story in unexpected ways. With every new person that enters Renly's life, Bradley peeled back another layer, revealing more of the true Renly Hall beneath the surface. It wasn't just about the work or the media; it was about the genuine humanity that remained, untouched by the world's chaos.

When Bradley planned this interview, he hoped to present a scene from Renly's life, not a curated version, but a real snapshot of his day-to-day moments. His bold decision to focus on the person, rather than just the headlines, demonstrated a deep understanding of Renly and what he was truly about. It was a gamble that paid off.

Journalism had changed in the internet age, but Bradley returned to the traditional craft, uncovering stories not with buzzwords or clickbait, but with thoughtful, genuine interviews.

Watching Renly interact with the stranger, Bradley quietly peeled back the final layers of the mask, uncovering the most authentic part of Renly's character.