Buzz.
A wave of shock and a full-scale impact surged through, causing a prolonged rumble that resonated in the eardrums, leaving the mind blank.
Unexpected. Completely unexpected. One hundred percent unexpected.
Not only the netizens but also authoritative media outlets like "Rolling Stone," "Billboard," and "The New York Times" were all stunned. TMZ was thrown into chaos.
If even the paparazzi failed to uncover any clues, it meant they had utterly failed at their job, leaving them deeply ashamed.
...Silence.
The world fell into a brief silence. People needed a moment to digest everything.
First, Anson's work "Elephant" got selected for the Cannes Film Festival.
Then, Anson led his band to ignite heated discussions in both North America and Europe in different but equally impactful ways on August 31.
Two completely different events were connected because of Anson, showcasing his charm from film to music in a unique way.
Imagine this: the "Anson frenzy" sparked by "Catch Me If You Can" and the award season still hasn't completely died down and is still burning in the air. Then, with a turn, Anson grabs the spotlight again, this time making a grand entrance in an unprecedented, incredible way.
Labels like "pretty face," "idol," and "heartthrob" have always shadowed him, gradually becoming a part of the Anson brand image.
Though the surprise flash mob event added a fashion label to Anson, giving his personal image some edge beyond those stereotypical labels, distinguishing him from other idol heartthrobs, and making him a unique symbol in the entertainment industry.
However, "pretty face" was still the base layer. The fashion label just made this pretty face more special, refined, and attractive, yet still just a pretty face.
This time, things were different.
Whether it was the Cannes Film Festival's main competition or the European street performance that sparked a wave of enthusiasm, these were validations of his talent. Making it into the Billboard Hot 100 top ten relying solely on the music itself and not his name or promotion was even more so.
And it wasn't just once or twice; three major events occurred one after another, leaving people dizzy and overwhelmed—
"Pretty face," are you sure?
Not to mention the mainstream media, even authoritative experts and stubborn critics were left reeling from these successive heavy blows.
So, is Anson planning to overthrow the pretty face idol label in one go?
This... this?
This!
One breath, almost lost.
Then, they finally came back to their senses and took a deep breath—
The volcano erupted!
"Anson Wood = August 31st Band!"
"Turns out the mysterious August 31st Band was him all along!"
"Finally, we've been waiting for you—it's been a whole year since 'The Tonight Show,' and Anson Wood's band finally brings its first musical work."
"Mysterious band? No, it's yet another glamorous transformation of Anson Wood."
"If you're curious about Anson Wood's latest moves after his disappearance..."
Major media outlets, front-page headlines, Anson completely took over the public's attention, creating a vast and sensational wave once again.
Coincidentally, it was a slow season, a brief gap before the summer blockbusters. With a lack of explosive news to capture attention, Anson successfully took center stage again.
Among them, "The New York Times" astutely and skillfully captured the pulse of the times—
"While everyone was lamenting Anson Wood's absence from the Oscars, this young actor was clearly not content with his position."
Does anyone still remember the controversy before the Oscars ceremony? If not, "The New York Times" didn't mind jogging their memory.
At the time, whether Anson would attend the ceremony sparked widespread discussion. Many believed an idol like Anson wouldn't miss an opportunity to attend an event like the Oscars for the exposure. The undertone was a disdain for idol actors.
In the end, the topic concluded with Anson joining the "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" cast. Despite that, the mocking and disdain continued to simmer, as the prejudice against idol actors was deeply ingrained.
However, now it's a slap in the face.
Oscars?
Anson never denied its value. But he also wasn't blinded by immediate benefits, always keeping the essence in mind—
The work itself is the key.
Or rather, staying true to oneself, developing oneself, and enriching oneself is the key. In this way, awards and professional recognition will naturally follow. This is much smarter and more effective than constantly shouting and defending oneself.
Now, Anson has handed in his answer sheet.
Without a doubt, Anson is more than just a pretty face. Those who stubbornly continue to cover their eyes with prejudice will only expose their own foolishness.
As an actor, as a singer, as an artist, and as a twenty-one-year-old young man, Anson has shown his wisdom and intelligence—
And, of course, his talent.
That's what's truly astonishing.
No matter what happens next, how "Elephant" fares at Cannes, or how the August 31st Band performs in the music market, Anson has already proven himself.
"...He deserves more anticipation."
"The New York Times" ended its special report in this manner. Nicholas Flynn once again captured the trend, showcasing his sharpness, and sparked yet another wave of discussion, promoting Anson.
The madness swept through North America completely.
Amidst this frenzy, "Ho Hey" undoubtedly emerged as the biggest winner.
Although it's slightly regrettable that the August 31st Band still hasn't released the highly anticipated "Wake Me Up," which die-hard fans have been waiting for over a year, the excellence of "Ho Hey" has already been proven in the past six months—
Needless to say.
With quality and popularity, the continued rise of "Ho Hey" is an inevitable result.
Week 26, No. 5.
Week 27, No. 2.
From seventh to fifth and then to second, the ranking soared.
You know, in the Billboard Hot 100, the higher the ranking, the harder it is to climb. Entering the top ten is already a huge feat. Many songs only stay in the top ten for one week before dropping out.
However, "Ho Hey" continued to rise—
Its stunning performance continued to amaze.
So, what's next?
Number one?
The bustling attention of the entire North American continent surged, eyes glued, and excitement uncontrollably soared.
Week 28, No. 2.
Week 29, No. 2.
For three consecutive weeks, "Ho Hey" was stuck at the second spot. After climbing the ranks for seven months, it finally hit a bottleneck.
Of course, this wasn't a failure. It had nothing to do with failure at all. But the soaring momentum stopped just before the top spot, so close to the climax yet just a step away. The feeling was hard to stomach.
Is this... the end?