The Best Movie Actor In Hollywood! Chapter 19

In the audition room, an actor had just finished and was leaving when a man from Jive Records approached Britney and whispered, "Is he a good fit?"

"No." Britney shook her head firmly. "Too thin. Not strong enough."

The man from Jive Records then whispered something to the music video director, Martin Jackson, who, without hesitation, drew a red X over the actor's profile.

As the director, Martin Jackson had to respect the opinions of Britney Spears and Jive Records, even though he had a say in various matters, including casting.

But Martin Jackson didn't expect her to have too much of a final say; after all, he was the professional.

"Send in the next one," Martin Jackson told his assistant, who promptly stepped out and returned with Michael.

Britney saw Michael and whispered to the Jive Records representative, "This one looks good."

In the waiting room just down the hall, Matthew watched another actor walk in full of excitement and walk out completely dejected. He tore his eyes away, glancing over at Amanda, who was slouched in her chair, fiddling with her phone out of boredom.

Helen had left after dropping them off. According to Amanda, she had gone to meet with an executive from Jive Records.

Matthew lowered his voice and turned to Amanda. "Do you have any idea what the audition is like?"

He'd found out a while ago that Amanda was Helen's cousin, so it stood to reason she would know a lot about the agency's dealings.

Amanda thought for a moment before replying, "I heard Helen mention that Britney Spears has a say in choosing the male lead for her music video."

Matthew nodded, his mind already turning over the possibilities.

A short while later, Michael returned to the waiting room. Unlike the previous three, his face was flushed with excitement, and Matthew knew without even asking that the guy must have passed the first round.

Just then, someone called out, "Matthew Horner!"

"Coming," Matthew replied and quickly followed the man into the audition room.

It was an initial audition, more like a screen test—no makeup, no costume changes.

Once inside, Matthew quickly scanned the room. Directly in front of him was a camera with a bespectacled operator behind it. To his left, several people were seated in a row of chairs, the most conspicuous of them being Britney Spears with her long, light-brown hair.

Matthew didn't recognize the other people, assuming they were likely the video's director or producer, executives from Britney Spears's record label, and representatives from the Screen Actors Guild.

Most of the actors from the Angel Acting Agency this time were members of the guild, and according to its rules, representatives had to be present at the audition.

"You're Matthew Horner?" a handsome man in his thirties asked. "You had roles in Girl, Interrupted and Gladiator?"

Without glancing at the camera, Matthew answered calmly, "Yes."

Martin Jackson held a promotional poster for the recently released Universal Pictures film Gladiator, which had been included in the file from the Angel Acting Agency.

"Walk in front of the camera," he requested.

Matthew paced within the camera's frame.

Martin watched Matthew with rapt attention, immediately noting his well-defined face, his sharp, strong features, and his lean, upright posture. His entire frame radiated a rugged, masculine beauty.

His gaze drifted down from Matthew's face, landing first on his broad, powerful chest. He gave a slight nod, appreciating the well-defined pecs. Then, as Matthew turned and walked back, the director's eyes lingered on his long, lean legs and firm buttocks...

Martin Jackson didn't need Matthew to undress to imagine the sculpted, streamlined beauty of the muscles that lay beneath the fabric.

He kept nodding to himself; this actor, Matthew Horner, was in excellent physical condition—even better than the one who had just passed.

He needs to be on the callback list, a thought flashed through Martin Jackson's mind. He's perfect.

"He's the top recommendation from the Angel Acting Agency," the man from Jive Records lowered his voice and asked Britney, "What do you think?"

Britney Spears gave a small nod. "He's good."

"Excellent." Hearing her approval, Martin Jackson called out to Matthew, "That's enough. You can go."

Martin Jackson had no objections, and with the approval of both Britney Spears and the record label, that was all that was needed for the first round.

Matthew was a bit puzzled that it was over after just walking back and forth twice, concluding that the initial audition was simply to check his appearance and screen presence.

He had just stepped out of the audition room and hadn't even made it back to the waiting area when a staff member approached him. He was told he had passed the first round and should return to the set in five days for a callback.

I passed. Matthew was unaware that his look, along with that poster, was one of Helen's knockout blows delivered to Jive Records.

Passing the audition was certainly a cause for celebration. When Matthew walked back into the lounge, Amanda immediately shot him a questioning glance. He gave her a subtle "OK" gesture, then went to the water cooler. He grabbed two cups, handed one to Amanda, took a large gulp from his own, and sat back down.

"It went well?" Amanda asked.

Matthew nodded. "Of course. They recognized a good actor when they saw one."

Amanda rolled her eyes. "Good luck with that, good actor."

"You passed, too?" Michael asked, walking over.

Matthew set down his water cup. "Yeah."

"So we'll be shooting together again." Michael looked thrilled. "I asked around. Everyone who passed the first round gets to be in the video, but there's only one male lead. Everyone else is just background."

A thought flashed through his mind: this time, he had to be the one to get the lead role.

Matthew sighed. "I wonder who the lucky guy will be."

Michael replied, half-sincerely, "I hope it's one of us."

He didn't say a word about asking Matthew for help this time; he'd learned from their last encounter that Matthew didn't take their so-called "friendship" seriously when it came to professional opportunities.

Not that he was any different.

Seeing Matthew turn his head to talk with Amanda again, Michael quietly sat back down, determined to land the male lead in the music video.

Rumor had it the male lead would play Britney Spears's love interest in the video, which would unquestionably draw a great deal of attention from producers.

Michael's head was already filling with fantasies. If he could somehow leverage this into a real-life relationship with Britney Spears, that would be even better. It would save him ten, maybe even twenty years of struggle in this business.

But how could he land the lead role? Michael had been in this business for three years; he certainly knew it wouldn't be easy.

Especially since... his gaze fell back on Matthew, the guy who always seemed to have a special connection with Helen. If Helen put all her weight behind Matthew, Michael feared his own chances would be slim to none.

Matthew was making small talk with Amanda, continuing to cultivate their already friendly rapport.

As for the silent Michael nearby, Matthew didn't need to look to guess what was on the guy's mind. After all, no up-and-coming actor would want to let an opportunity like this slip by.

In his own mind, he was already scheming how to get Britney Spears to notice him and win her favor.

According to Amanda, if Britney Spears gave him her approval, the role would essentially be his.

In the middle of their conversation, Helen returned, told Amanda she had to go somewhere, and left just as quickly.

Once the auditions were over, the group didn't receive the same courtesy as when they'd arrived; they were left to find their own way back.

Matthew said goodbye to Amanda and started walking toward the studio exit alone. He hadn't gotten far before Michael caught up to him.

"Hey, Matthew," he called out. "Heading to Hollywood Boulevard?"

"Yeah." Matthew paused.

"Let's go together," Michael suggested. "I'm heading that way too."

Matthew didn't refuse and walked off the studio lot with Michael. He called for a taxi and they stood patiently by the curb, waiting for it to arrive.

"Are you still taking those acting classes?" Michael asked.

"They just started," Matthew said casually. "It's going great so far."

His phone rang. Thinking it was the taxi, he pulled it out and answered, "We're right in front of the studio—"

He didn't get to finish his sentence before a voice on the other end cut him off. "Is this Matthew Horner?"

"Yes." The voice sounded familiar to Matthew.

Michael, standing nearby, immediately perked up his ears.

"This is Martin Jackson, the director you just auditioned for."

Hearing this, Matthew remembered him.

Matthew asked politely, "How can I help you?"

"It's about the audition. I need to talk to you tonight..."

The man quickly recited an address, which Matthew immediately committed to memory. "Alright, I'll be there at eight o'clock sharp."

Michael overheard the exchange, and his expression instantly soured. Was he really about to watch Matthew Horner snatch the lead role right out from under him?