The Greatest Showman #1235 - Witness the Moment

Renly quickly followed the staff to a waiting room at the end of the corridor. The interior, decorated in rich wine red and gold, mirrored the stage design of the evening. A large display screen dominated one side of the room, while a camera with a red light stood on the opposite side.

The purpose of this room was clear—it was a designated space for nominees and presenters. To prevent any accidents during the ceremony, guests and nominees typically waited here in advance. The organizing committee also used this area to capture behind-the-scenes moments for the broadcast, while being prepared for any unexpected situations.

In this case, with the Best Actor award being announced shortly, Renly, as both nominee and presenter, needed to remain in this waiting room. It allowed him to appear on camera at the right moment without having to rush back to his seat.

This year's Best Actor race had little suspense or drama. The five nominees were: Daniel Day-Lewis for Lincoln, Renly Hall for Transcendence, Joaquin Phoenix for The Master, Bradley Cooper for Silver Linings Playbook, and Hugh Jackman for Les Misérables.

Jackman's nomination was seen as a surprise due to the lack of standout quality in his performance. Cooper's comedic role was deemed insufficiently convincing, and his nomination was more of a recognition than an expectation. Renly, while having won the award the previous year, had not generated the same momentum this year. The competition was clearly a battle between Daniel Day-Lewis and Joaquin Phoenix.

Both Daniel and Joaquin, known for their reluctance to engage in the Oscars' public relations campaigns, had removed much of the glamour and marketing from the race, focusing purely on their performances and the critical reception of their films. As a result, the competition for the award felt like a personal struggle for the two actors, with Daniel's work in Lincoln clearly outshining Joaquin's in terms of both critical acclaim and professional recognition.

As a result, the award for Best Actor was expected to go to Daniel Day-Lewis. If he won, he would become the first actor in history to receive the Oscar for Best Actor three times. A historic moment was imminent.

Renly, standing in the live broadcast waiting room, felt a calm excitement. It was a unique experience to witness history in the making.

On stage, Meryl Streep had just completed her narration and introduced the nominees with a video montage. Joaquin, Bradley, Daniel, Jackman, and Renly were all featured in the clips, showcasing their performances. When it came to Transcendence, the academy had chosen the scene where Renly's character, Henry, recites Edgar Allan Poe's poetry in a desolate wasteland. The somber tone of the moment reflected the melancholy of the film.

When the video finished, the camera cut to Renly. Standing poised and graceful, Renly acknowledged the camera with a polite nod. To his surprise, a round of applause erupted in the Dolby Theater, louder than he had anticipated. The applause was not only enthusiastic but accompanied by whistles and cheers, rivaling those reserved for Daniel.

Renly was momentarily taken aback by the warmth of the response but quickly regained his composure, offering a bright smile and a slight nod to express his gratitude.

The camera then cut back to Meryl, and the big screen displayed five split screens showing the reactions of the nominees. With suspense building, Meryl opened the envelope and, with a subtle smile, revealed the winner:

"The winner of the 85th Academy Award for Best Actor is... Daniel Day-Lewis for Lincoln."

A wave of history was felt again.

Renly, alongside the entire audience, stood and clapped in admiration. It was a moment to honor the actor who had now made history by winning his third Oscar for Best Actor. This was a feat unparalleled in Oscar history, cementing Daniel's place as one of the greatest actors of all time.

As the applause resounded throughout the theater, Renly watched Daniel take the stage with the same grace and composure that had defined his career. He accepted his third Golden Statue from Meryl Streep, the room acknowledging his extraordinary achievement.

The debate over the greatest actor in film history is endless, and everyone has their own opinion, but Daniel Day-Lewis' win tonight was a testament to his brilliance. Despite not having topped the three major European film festivals, his achievements at the Oscars were undeniable. His career had spanned decades, and with each performance, he continued to impress.

For Renly, Daniel's work in There Will Be Blood and In the Name of the Father remained particularly memorable. Daniel's commitment to his craft and his ability to bring soul to each character was awe-inspiring.

The audience's reaction to Daniel's victory was electric. No words, no whistles, no shouts—just the purest, most sincere applause, a recognition that was far more meaningful than any golden statue. It was a collective acknowledgment of Daniel's immense talent and contribution to the craft.

As Daniel stood on stage, taking his third Oscar, it became clear that tonight, they weren't just witnessing an award ceremony—they were witnessing history. This moment would be remembered forever.