Thousands of lights illuminated the Kodak Theatre, and the giant Oscar statue stood at the end of the red carpet. Glamorous stars walked the red carpet, attracting countless attention. On this special night, stars and movies were the protagonists of the entire America. Any stir on the Oscar red carpet could be discussed for a whole year.
On the Oscar red carpet, the most attention is usually given to award favorites and trending stars with hot topics.
So, when Matthew took Charlize Theron's hand and got out of the car, walking onto the red carpet with their fingers intertwined, they immediately attracted the attention of all media reporters.
Instantly, the two became the absolute focal point of the entire Oscar awards ceremony red carpet.
"Are they really together?"
"Oh my God, this pair is so well-matched."
A buzz of discussion arose among the media reporters taking pictures.
The white flashes of the cameras completely enveloped Matthew and Charlize Theron's figures, not stopping for a moment, making it almost impossible to open one's eyes.
Under the flashing lights and the gaze of countless eyes, Matthew led Charlize Theron onto the red carpet.
"Slow down!"
Matthew could vaguely tell the effect was good. He pulled Charlize Theron, "Don't rush."
Charlize Theron was very cooperative, immediately slowing her pace and waving frequently to both sides of the red carpet with Matthew.
Bearing the mission of publicity, Matthew naturally wanted to extend the red carpet time as much as possible within a reasonable range.
Charlize Theron leaned close to Matthew's ear and whispered, "I've been feeling absolutely terrible lately!"
Matthew turned his head, putting on a look of deep affection as he gazed at her, "Sally, how can I impress you if I don't do something special?"
Charlize Theron said nothing, continuing to walk forward, holding Matthew's hand.
The two walked across the red carpet quite slowly. By the time they entered the media area, Salma Hayek, who was behind them, was less than thirty feet away from catching up.
Entering the media interview area, Matthew and Charlize Theron stood in front of a crowd of reporters, showcasing their affection.
At the same time, on the websites live-streaming the Oscars with text and images, the discussion area saw its most heated debate since the red carpet ceremony began today.
"The coolest man and woman are finally together!"
"Matthew is so much better than that whoever, the previous one!"
"Charlize Theron has finally found the right man for her."
"Congratulations to Matthew Horner and Charlize Theron."
Because the video of Matthew heroically saving Charlize Theron from last year was still circulating, their eventual relationship basically didn't draw any criticism. The vast majority of people, on the contrary, believed that the two should be together.
In the interview area, Matthew and Charlize Theron stood in front of the ABC television reporter and camera for the live broadcast.
"Excuse me, Matthew," the female reporter asked curiously, "What is your relationship with Ms. Theron now?"
Matthew looked at Charlize Theron with deep affection and said with a smile, "Sally is my girlfriend."
The female reporter then extended the microphone to Charlize Theron and asked, "Ms. Theron, were you moved by Matthew's grand gestures of courtship?"
"That's part of the reason," Charlize Theron was relatively more reserved. "Matthew and I have known each other for a few years. We understand each other, and after spending time together in Munich, we confirmed that the other was the partner we needed, so I accepted Matthew's pursuit."
The ABC reporter then asked a rather inappropriate question, "Matthew, last year you rescued Ms. Theron from Stuart Townsend's domestic abuse. How do you view Ms. Theron's relationship with Stuart Townsend?"
Upon hearing this question, Charlize Theron's expression became somewhat displeased. Matthew gently squeezed her hand, and Charlize Theron understood Matthew's meaning, refraining from speaking.
Matthew answered openly and honestly, "Sally is my goddess, the perfect woman in my heart."
He turned to look at Charlize Theron, "Every girl, before kissing her prince, is bound to encounter some frogs."
This made Charlize Theron feel much better. Compared to Stuart Townsend, that frog, Matthew indeed resembled a prince.
Matthew leaned in and kissed Charlize Theron on the lips. Charlize Theron cooperatively hooked her arms around his neck, both looking blissfully in love and immersed in the sweetness of their affection.
After the interview, Matthew and Charlize Theron walked hand in hand into the Kodak Theatre. Since they walked the red carpet in the later part, they didn't go to the VIP lounge to wait but went directly to the main hall of the Kodak Theatre.
Both were presenters, and their seats were relatively close. After finding their seats and sitting down, Charlize Theron relaxed. It wasn't easy to kill off a host of actresses on the red carpet with a queen-like demeanor.
She greeted Antonio Banderas to her right, then turned back to her left and whispered to Matthew, "Was everything you just said true?"
Matthew also lowered his voice and said seriously, "Sally, every word I've said to you is true." He placed his hand on his chest, "Can't you feel my sincerity?"
Charlize Theron hesitated for a moment, then said, "You are a very good friend, but not necessarily a qualified lover."
Matthew smiled, took Charlize Theron's hand, and kissed it, "I will prove it to you."
Charlize Theron looked at Matthew with a puzzled expression and said nothing more.
When Matthew first said he wanted to use this opportunity to genuinely pursue her, she thought he was joking, but starting from Munich, she gradually realized that Matthew might be serious... Was it appropriate for them to really go from friends to lovers?
The sound of music interrupted Charlize Theron's thoughts. The Oscar awards ceremony began, and the black comedian Chris Rock walked onto the stage, starting the host's monologue, a staple of every Oscar ceremony.
Just then, a staff member came to notify Matthew. Matthew stood up and followed the staff member backstage. His time on stage was very short; he wasn't there to present an award to a winner, but to introduce "Finding Neverland," which was nominated for Best Picture.
Half of getting this opportunity was the result of Summit Entertainment's efforts, and the other half was probably due to the organizers considering his relationship with Johnny Depp.
The male and female leads of "Finding Neverland" were Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet, respectively.
This was a typical biographical film, and also a movie tailor-made for the Oscars by the Weinstein brothers of Miramax.
Matthew arrived backstage, took the pre-prepared script from the associate director, and went to the stage entrance, waiting patiently.
Less than five minutes later, Cate Blanchett, who had won Best Supporting Actress, walked off the stage and into the backstage area. The stage lights dimmed, and Matthew, prompted by the associate director, walked onto the stage.
He had rehearsed once a week before, so he was quite familiar with the routine.
The lights came on, the music started, and a picture was displayed on the large screen to Matthew's left.
After the music faded, Matthew looked at "Finding Neverland" playing on the big screen and said loudly into the microphone, "The film tells the story of writer James Barrie in early 20th century London, who met four fatherless children. Through his interactions with them, he gained inspiration and created a children's book featuring a child who refused to grow up, shaping the well-known classic fairy tale character, 'Peter Pan'...
The scripts for galas like the Oscars are all carefully prepared by the organizers.
Matthew was even more straightforward, simply reading from the script: "This film is effortlessly enjoyable from the very first shot. It's also filled with details that evoke childhood memories, with all kinds of warmth to be found in every scene. A Best Picture nomination at the Oscars, 'Finding Neverland' is truly deserving!"
Forty-five seconds later, the introduction segment ended, and Matthew exited the stage from the other side, completing his first appearance on the Oscar stage.
On the red carpet, he and Charlize Theron could steal the limelight, but tonight's awards ceremony was destined to belong to the Oscar winners.
Clint Eastwood's "Million Dollar Baby" won a total of four major awards, including Best Picture, while "The Aviator" won five awards, including Best Supporting Actress for Cate Blanchett. Jamie Foxx won Best Actor for his performance in "Ray," becoming another black actor to win the award.
In the race for Best Director, Martin Scorsese once again went home empty-handed, while Clint Eastwood took home the Best Director Oscar for "Million Dollar Baby."
"Million Dollar Baby" was undoubtedly the biggest winner tonight. Hollywood's famous tough woman, Hilary Swank, won Best Actress for this film, marking her second Best Actress award within five years.
This film also produced a Best Supporting Actor, with Morgan Freeman winning his first Oscar.
Despite his rivals exposing his inappropriate relationship with his step-granddaughter earlier, it did not affect him winning the award. Hollywood stars have too many scandals and dark secrets, so many that the media and public have become numb to them.
The duality of Hollywood stars was also vividly demonstrated in Morgan Freeman; who would have thought that this black actor would even lay hands on his step-granddaughter?
The biggest losers of the evening were undoubtedly Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio. Both, who had aspirations for Best Director and Best Actor respectively, went home empty-handed.
Matthew vaguely remembered that these two had been at odds with the Oscars for a long time.
The awards ceremony ended, and a large number of stars rushed to the 'Oscar Night' party. Paparazzi and reporters also flocked there, but a significant number of reporters shifted their focus, targeting Matthew and Charlize Theron, recording the two walking hand in hand into a hotel with their cameras and camcorders...