Capítulo 251: Chapter 248 Spring Festival Gala Invitation
At the end of the year, the American entertainment industry began a big melee.
In the film market, blockbusters were released one after another, including James Cameron's "Avatar," Robert Downey Jr.'s "Sherlock Holmes," Fox's famous animation "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel," Matt Damon's biographical film "Invictus," George Clooney's "Up in the Air," and Italian director Giuseppe Tornatore's new film "Baarìa," and so on.
Coupled with several blockbusters released in November, the competition in the December film box office market entered a fever pitch.
Also because of the many blockbusters, the "Commercial Daily" reported that after the 2007 and 2008 lows, the total box office of the American film industry this year was expected to return to more than 10 billion US dollars, which was good news for all film industry practitioners.
In addition to the film market, the record market competition was also very fierce.
Britney Spears released her second greatest hits album "The Singles Collection" in early December, and Lady Gaga released a reissue of "The Fame" called "The Fame Monster."
Drake's first EP "So Far Gone," Rihanna's fourth studio album "Rated R," and Link Music's artist Bruno Mars' debut album "It's Better If You Don't Understand" were also released.
Counting the albums released in November, Lana Del Rey's "Young and Beautiful," Carrie Underwood's "Play On," and Justin Bieber's debut album "My World," etc.
According to "Rolling Stone" statistics, fifty-three albums were released in the last two months of the year, and 15 of them currently had sales exceeding 100,000 copies.
Among them, Selena's debut album "Come & Get It" had sold 671,000 copies in the United States after seven weeks of release, and Lana's "Young and Beautiful" had sold 563,000 copies after six weeks of release.
Canadian boy Justin Bieber's debut album "My World" had sold 537,000 copies in the United States and 172,000 copies in Canada after eight weeks of release, with global sales exceeding 1 million copies.
Justin also became one of the youngest singers in the world to get a platinum record and the second male singer in 2009 whose debut album sales exceeded 1 million copies. He was called a "magic boy" by the media.
In the boxing world, before Christmas, Dr. Ironfist Wladimir Klitschko, South African Nightmare Samuel Peter, Cannon Shannon Briggs, and Eastern Beast Valuev all had exciting matches.
Among them, it was worth noting that on December 10th, in the WBA heavyweight championship fight held in Nuremberg, Germany, British boxer David Haye fought against Valuev for 12 rounds and won by points, winning the WBA heavyweight champion's gold belt.
The WBA heavyweight champion's gold belt changed hands.
Other levels didn't change much.
And on Christmas Eve, Link took his tour team and held nine concerts in seven countries in South America.
Because "Despacito" was quite popular, the physical single sales had accumulated to 600,000 copies, becoming the best-selling single in South America in 2008/2009. His two albums also sold 520,000 copies in South America.
His reputation as a boxing champion was also very loud in Mexico, Haiti, Colombia, Brazil, and other places.
The nine performances in South America were also quite sensational, with an average of 47,000 people per show and a total box office of about 18 million US dollars.
During the concerts, he also held two gold belt lottery ceremonies on the spot.
According to the original arrangement, on Christmas Eve, the six gold belts would be given in batches to boxing enthusiasts who shot videos. One for the United States, one for South America, one for Asia, two for Europe, and one for Oceania, just enough to distribute.
After a busy year, two days before Christmas, Link returned to the United States with his tour team to rest.
Because the weather forecast said it would snow in New York during Christmas, major shopping malls would hold holiday activities, Broadway theaters would have some special Christmas performances, so Link and Taylor decided to go back to their apartment in New York for Christmas.
"It's been almost half a year since we lived here. I feel that New York is quieter than Los Angeles."
Link dragged two suitcases, opened the door of the Yorkville apartment, and turned on the power switch.
The whole apartment instantly lit up, and through the window, he could see the lights of thousands of homes across the street. He felt that living here had more of a sense of life than in the beach villa.
"It's not quiet! It's deserted!"
Taylor followed behind him with her hands in her pockets.
She was wearing a burgundy college-style coat, a white spotted wool sweater, and blue pencil pants. Her blonde hair was loose, and she wore a knitted hat and his scarf around her neck, revealing only a delicate and fair oval face.
She was dressed warmly but still complained about the cold.
"I lived here for half a month in September. With the doors and windows closed, there was no sound around, like living in a cave. I couldn't stand it and went to Nashville."
Taylor said, following behind him.
"Really? I happened to have time those days, and I said I would come to accompany you, but you didn't want to. Now you say it's deserted. Aren't you asking for it?"
Link teased.
"It's your fault. I used to live alone and never felt deserted. After living with you, I gradually got used to having someone around. When you were suddenly gone, of course I felt deserted."
Taylor bumped into him and said sulkily.
"Okay, it's my fault!"
Link smiled gently, turned on the heater, and helped her take off her hat, scarf, and windbreaker, hanging them on the rack.
Because Mrs. Mandy sometimes arranged for people from the housekeeping company to come and clean, the apartment was in good sanitary condition, and they didn't need to do any dusting.
After returning home, they only needed to organize their daily necessities and go to the supermarket to buy some fruits and vegetables to move in.
"Honey, how are we going to spend Christmas?"
Taylor took off her shoes, lay on the sofa, and turned on the TV with the remote control.
"Make a Christmas dinner, visit Catherine and Mandy's homes, watch the Christmas Spectacular show at Radio City Music Hall, then go to Times Square to see the Christmas light show. I heard that the Winter Village in Central Park West will be very lively that day, so we can go there for a walk if we have time. Do you have any other suggestions?"
Link asked, coming out of the dining room with a basket of washed fruit.
"Do we have to go to so many places? I think it's also good to stay at home and enjoy our time together."
Taylor picked up a strawberry and took a bite.
Link nodded, "That sounds good too. We can keep making love at home, from Christmas Eve to Christmas night. What do you think?"
"Hey, pervert, what are you thinking? Why is your mind full of those dirty things?"
Taylor lifted her foot and pretended to kick him.
"Don't you think it's romantic? Just like in the movies."
"Not at all. I'm not as lecherous as you."
Taylor wrinkled her nose and said.
Link smiled gently, lay on the sofa, and hugged Taylor to watch an episode of the popular drama "The Good Wife."
Taylor liked to watch TV series about strong women, hoping to absorb nutrients from these strong female characters.
Link thought the female lead Alicia looked good in a lawyer suit and didn't mind watching it with her.
While watching TV, Selena called and said she was going ice skating at the Rockefeller Center ice rink on Christmas and asked if he and Taylor would go. If they did, she would buy tickets for them.
Link said he couldn't skate and didn't want to go.
Taylor immediately took the phone and said "yes." Selena said okay.
"Do you really want to see me make a fool of myself?"
"Yes!"
Taylor raised the corners of her lips and smiled, "You're so good, you're good at all kinds of sports, but you can't skate. That's so interesting. So how about Selena and I teach you how to skate on Christmas Day?"
"Thank you! You're such a good wife!"
Link pinched her cheek.
As soon as the phone hung up, it rang again. Mrs. Mandy told him good news on the phone.
The organizers of the 'American Spring Festival Gala' invited him to perform in the halftime show.
Link was a little surprised to hear this news.
The 'American Spring Festival Gala' was the final of the National Football League (NFL), also known as the 'Super Bowl.' It was the most watched sporting event in the United States.
It was usually held on the last Sunday of January or the first Sunday of February each year, and it was also one of the most important unofficial holidays in the United States every year. The amount of food consumed in the United States on Super Bowl Sunday was second only to Thanksgiving.
There was another statistic that clearly showed how attractive the Super Bowl was.
In 2006, the total number of American TV viewers watching the World Cup final was about 17 million, and in 2008, the number of viewers watching the Olympic opening ceremony was about 12 million. In 2008, 120 million people participated in the presidential election voting.
In 2009, 130 million Americans watched the Super Bowl, and the Super Bowl was also broadcast live or relayed globally, with more than 1.5 billion viewers watching the Super Bowl every year, no less than the number of people watching the Spring Festival Gala.
The Super Bowl was divided into two halves, with a 15-minute halftime break.
Before 1990, the halftime show was mostly used to pay tribute to celebrities.
Since 1991, pop music stars have been introduced to participate in the performance, also known as the 'halftime show.' The average viewership rating was 40%-60%, three times more than the sum of Major League Baseball and NBA Finals.
Because of the great influence of the Super Bowl, the singers invited to perform every year were all top stars in the music industry, such as Michael Jackson, Shania Twain, Justin Timberlake, P. Diddy, U2, The Rolling Stones, etc. Small singers were not qualified at all.
Link had thought that he would have the opportunity to be on the Super Bowl, but he didn't expect it to be so soon. After thinking about it, it was probably because of the advantage of the venue.
This year's NFL final was between the Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints, on February 7th, at Dolphin Stadium in Miami.
Now he had a great influence in Miami, and the locals called him the 'Prince of Miami' and the 'Pride of Miami.'
Before his concert in Miami in October, the city hall awarded him the title of honorary citizen and gave him a 'Key to the City of Miami' symbolizing honor.
If it weren't for this, he would probably have to wait a few more years to be on the Spring Festival Gala.
"Link, do you want to participate?"
Mrs. Mandy asked.
The reason she asked this was because in November, the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show invited him to be a guest performer, but he was busy with his tour and didn't have time, so he declined.
Link thought for a moment. This was a good opportunity. The Super Bowl had a huge influence, and performing at halftime could further expand his influence in the United States, and at the same time, he could also promote his third album.
"Let's participate. You can contact the organizers and ask when the rehearsal is and how much performance time we have. We'll prepare in advance."
"Okay, I'll arrange it right away."
Mandy said.
Mandy also asked if he and Taylor wanted to come over for Christmas. Link declined. Last year, there was no one at home, so he went there to join in the fun. It was better to spend Christmas at home.
"I heard that the Super Bowl invited you to perform?"
Taylor looked at him in surprise after he hung up the phone.
"That's right."
"You're so amazing! I haven't received an invitation after three years of debut, but you can in just one year. Humph! Tell me, why are you so awesome?"
Taylor wrapped her legs around his waist and hooked her hands around his neck, asking.
"Of course it's because I have a super beautiful and famous girlfriend."
Link hugged her hips and smiled.
"Humph! You smooth talker!"
Taylor curled her lips and leaned in to kiss him.
(End of Chapter)
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