Rise To Stardom - Chapter 190

Chapter 190: Big Night
As Noah spoke, the envelope in his hands, practically everyone in the room, focused their gazes on the giant LED screen as an automated yet elegant feminine voice, began to list out the nominees.

“For Record of the Year, the nominated artists are ––”

“Stranger Things, Millie Bobbie.”

“Never Gonna, Nick Astley.”

“Used To Know, Golte.”

“Paradox, Kyle Kestis.”

“Midwest Princess, Saoirse Chappell.”

“Birds of A Feather, Marilyn Aiko.”

No sooner had those nominees being listed, the now segmented video feed on the giant LED screen cut to the cameras, focusing on the faces of all the listed nominees.

Some looked anxious.

Some looked unfazed.

Kyle, was curious.

“And the award goes to…” Noah, having already opened the envelope and seen who won, paused slightly for dramatic effect.

The burning yet eager atmosphere of curiosity in the hall, heightened a bit more.

“Never Gonna, Nick Astley!”

Instantly, the tune of Nick’s song played as he swiftly got off his chair to receive his award alongside his producers.

🎶 Never gonna give you up, never gonna let you down~ 🎶

As the fairly well-known artist, one whom had been struggling to make a comeback after all this while reached the stage, everyone applauded, Kyle and the other nominees included.

If Kyle was being honest, he wasn’t even the least bit perturbed that he lost out on the award.

Rather, he believed that the ginger-haired artist deserved the award so he was actually relived that the award show was being fair.

He’d heard the song a few times here and there throughout the entirety of last year and he really liked it.

Added to that, for the young man, The Grammies, or any other award show in fact, was something he had steeled his mind to prepare to lose.

As the saying goes, ‘Prepare for disappointment and you’ll never be disappointed.’

And Kyle came to The Prestigious Award Show, absolutely prepared to lose in every bracket.

Oliver too, wasn’t perturbed by his ward losing out on the award.

The ‘Best New Artist’ award though… now that would seriously tick him off if Kyle didn’t win it.

Lily on the other hand, wasn’t within vicinity as she had been called backstage alongside a few other select celebrities to know which awards they’d be presenting.

As for the other artists who lost out on the award, most were pretty disappointed but did a great job of masking their defeat with a well-trained smile… save for Marilyn Aiko who seemed noticeably shocked that she’d lost out on the award.

Maybe the fact that the Grammies had her come perform, had her believe she’d win the award.

But unfortunately, that didn’t seem to be the case.

As for the cameramen in the hall, her shocked expression was fantastic for showbiz, most of them training the cameras on her face for the viewers at home.

About a minute later though, Nick was done with his Acceptance Speech and soon left the stage alongside his producers.

Around the same time, Lily came back to her seat for the next few proceedings.

The award she’d be presenting was the “Best Rap Album”, one that came much later.

Not that she’d divulge that information to anyone. Not even Kyle.

Like that, the rest of the proceedings went along, Noah, cracking a few more jokes and keeping the audience entertained till he was then back on-stage to present the next award.

Album of The Year.

“And the award goes to…”

Kyle wasn’t nominated for this so he simply watched on alongside Lily and Oliver, both of whom were curious, same as everyone else in the hall while the nominees themselves, tensed a bit at Noah’s brief pause.

“One More Time, Nick Astley!”

A resounding round of applause enveloped the hall as the popular artist, once again, swept another bracket of award!

Right here and right now, it was obvious that Nick Astley, had finally made his comeback.

It was a big night for him, that was for sure.

And by the looks of it, especially with the ‘Song of The Year’ bracket he was also in, all the artists nominated in the same category, started becoming wary, save for Kyle who was genuinely unruffled.

In any case, the Award Show continued on, this time, a popular rapper known as Sleek Shady, taking up the stage to perform one of his hit songs titled ‘Once in a Lifetime’.

“You better push yourself! In the music, the moment, you take it, you have to never let it go!”

“You only get one chance, do not miss your chance to fly!”

“This opportunity, comes once in a lifetime!” Kyle and Lily confidently rapped along with the chorus, shocking everyone around them who noticed!

Even Noah, alongside a few cameramen whom had spotted them bobbing their heads in sync as they kept rapping along, had noticeably surprised gazes on their features.

Oliver especially, blinked his eyes a few times in disbelief, one that soon caught Kyle’s attention.

Yet, instead of explaining just how or when he got to know the song to his bamboozled agent, Kyle simply grinned and resumed rapping alongside the beautiful lady.

Another highlight of the award show.

It seemed as if the night was only just beginning and the cameramen were having a field day to say the least.

Soon, the next award came up.

Song of The Year.

Often confused by many with Record of the Year, an award that was strictly reserved for the artists and the producers of a song, Song of the Year instead, was an award that recognized the songwriter(s) of a song.

However, this time, the first guest presenter of tonight’s show took the stage instead of Noah, a light smile on his lips as he held the envelope in his hands.

It was Carl Finch.

And so, just like the other periods, the automated feminine voice spoke while Carl, waited;

“For Song of the Year, the nominated artists are ––”

“Mile 8, Timothy Thompson.”

“Never Gonna, Nick Astley.”

“Tipsy, Boozey.”

“Paradox, Kyle Kestis.”

“Midwest Princess, Saoirse Chappell.”

“Birds of A Feather, Marilyn Aiko.”

Once again, most of the people whom were nominated were extremely similar to that of Record of the Year.

And just like before, Kyle’s hopes were non-existent, his expression calm in comparison to the other nominees who were slightly yet noticeably tensed.

Nick Astley after all, was in the same bracket as they were.

Their wariness, to put it simply, was completely valid.

As for Kyle, he inwardly mused;

‘Nick Astley, I suppose. A full sweep of the awards tonight, wouldn’t be unrealistic considering he’s on a roll…’

“And the award goes to…” Carl opened the envelope, his smile relaxed as the pulled out the embroidered paper slip in it.

Another increased wave of a tense yet eager atmosphere…

“Paradox, Kyle Kestis!” Carl declared with a charming grin.

🎶 Chasing things beyond our reach, running towards a foggy path singin’ 🎶

A burst of applauds and cheers exploded in the hall!

And yet, despite hearing correctly that he had been called, to Kyle, it seemed like an elaborate prank as he sat, glued to his seat.

And then, the pupils of his sapphire irises dilated alongside widened eyes in a complex mix of shock, disbelief and happiness, the realization fully dawning upon him when Lily noticeably squealed and Oliver, shook him vigorously by the shoulder.

Swiftly, Kyle got up, a light chuckle of awe and amazement escaping his lips as he gave Oliver a tight yet brief hug and then Lily herself before walking up to the stage, the applauds and cheers in the hall, somewhat deafening… at least to him.

Walking up onto the stage to receive said award, Kyle also exchanged a brief hug with Carl who pat him on the back proudly before he then placed the golden statuette of a gramophone in his palms.

Staring at the shiny award for a brief moment, a genuinely beautiful smile blooming on his lips, Kyle then proceeded to give his acceptance speech.

“I had no acceptance speech prepared, honestly.” he began, his honest tone laced with a slight hint of humor.

A lot of artists and celebrities in the hall chuckled in understanding at his words.

Considering most of them in the industry knew just how hard it was for an independent artist without a record label in the industry to win an award, Kyle’s comment, was perfectly understandable.

“So uh, here I go on an appreciation spree.” Kyle lightly chuckled as he stated.

Another round of chuckles, giggles and silent laughter cascaded over the hall.

“First and foremost, I’d like to give my thanks to my parents.”

“There would be no Kyle Kestis without you guys so wherever you are, I hope you’re proud of me.” Kyle began, his eyes already getting a bit red.

To the audience, it must’ve seemed like Kyle was only speaking of his dead parents alone.

And sure that was the case but, for the young man, he was majorly thanking Ollie, Mary, Joel, Rebecca & Paul –– the parents the best part of him, grew up with.

“I’d also like to thank my friends and my team. I love you and you guys are the sweetest, coolest set of people I know. A billion thanks!” Kyle briefly glanced in both Lily and Carl’s direction with a grateful smile as he continued;

“A special shout out to Christina, Jennie and Maria. Thank you so very much for bringing my creations to life in the best ways possible! Couldn’t have done it without you.”

“An even bigger shout out to so many of you sweethearts out there who gave my music a chance.”

“You guys aren’t just fans. You, are stars. Stars that I wish upon to continue, giving me the light to keep on pursuing my dreams. Thank you, so, so, so very much!”

“And lastly, I’d like to give my thanks to Oliver.”

“Without you, my agent, but most importantly, my uncle from another mother, this wouldn’t be possible. This award is yours as much as its mine.” Kyle subtly raised the golden statuette in his direction.

“I just can’t imagine, getting to where I am without you being a part of the journey. I really can’t.”

“Thank you for putting up with my reckless behavior.” Kyle added humorously and Oliver despite his eyes reddening, laughed a bit, same as a bunch of other artists and celebrities in the hall.

“And like I told you a long while back, it’s you and me. It always, going to be you and me against the world.”

“I hope you know that. Thank you so much.” Kyle concluded his brief, one-minute on the fly speech with an appreciative smile and made his way off-stage as the hall cheered and applauded once more.

And just like that, Kyle had secured his very first Grammie Award at the young age of 22.

The Song of The Year award no less.

Quite the perfect article header for Hollywood tabloids, blogs and magazines one might add.

However, about fifteen minutes later after a few more jokes and monologues from Noah, performances from a few other invited artists and more of the prestigious award ceremony proceedings, another presenter was tasked with handing out the next award.

And like a sick twist of fate, Justin King, smoothly walked onto the stage with a charming smile, an envelope in his hands.

The Best New Artist award… it was his to present.