Director in Hollywood

This time, Tom Cruise was nominated for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy at the Golden Globes for his performance in Jerry Maguire. At this stage of his career, he still had some aspirations for awards.

Later, when he realized that the Oscars had little interest in him, Tom Cruise abandoned the pursuit of awards and fully transitioned into commercial films and performing as a stunt actor.

In the 1990s, Tom Cruise appeared in several dramas that often performed well at the box office. But after entering the new millennium, he gradually stopped acting in dramas.

Of course, this shift might also be attributed to his divorce from Nicole Kidman, the Scientology controversy, and his fallout with Sumner Redstone, the head of Viacom, Paramount's parent company.

If it weren't for Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol turning things around for him, Tom Cruise might have faded into obscurity.

However, for now, Tom Cruise was at the peak of his career, and Jerry Maguire was one of his most representative works.

The film was released on December 13 last year, earning $23.2 million in its opening weekend. By the time of the Golden Globes, its domestic box office had reached $89.36 million, making a $100 million milestone inevitable.

Few actors in Hollywood could consistently drive a drama film to box office success, but there were two Toms who could: Tom Cruise and Tom Hanks.

This year, the two Toms were even competing against each other at the Oscars, both nominated for Best Actor. However, unlike Tom Cruise, Tom Hanks already had two Oscars under his belt and wasn't as determined to win.

Tom Cruise, on the other hand, was eager to prove that he wasn't just coasting on his good looks in Hollywood.

Nicole Kidman accompanied Tom Cruise to the awards ceremony. While occasionally chiming in on the conversation between Gilbert and her husband, her expression darkened whenever the Evita cast was mentioned.

Gilbert noticed this and asked Nicole, "Mary, is something wrong?"

Tom Cruise explained, "Madonna stole Mary's opportunity."

Gilbert was taken aback. "The lead role in Evita?"

"Yes," Nicole nodded and then, in a voice low enough for only the three of them to hear, cursed, "That b**** Madonna!"

Gilbert raised an eyebrow. The Australian actress clearly had a temper.

It wasn't entirely unexpected, though. After all, having a role taken by a singer was bound to be humiliating for a professional actor like Nicole.

There wasn't much Gilbert could do, so he consoled her, "Madonna might win the Golden Globe tonight, but she won't get the Oscar. Evita hasn't done well at the box office and is still trailing behind Jerry Maguire. Tom has already avenged you."

Despite his words, Nicole's expression remained sour.

Tom Cruise added, "I heard Madonna tried seducing the Academy voters, but she didn't even get an Oscar nomination, aside from one for Best Original Song."

"Well, that fits her profile as a singer," Gilbert said.

In fairness, Madonna Ciccone probably didn't steal the role from Nicole Kidman because she was a better actress.

Since Evita was a musical, Madonna's singing background gave her a significant advantage. Her rendition of the film's theme song was what won over the producers.

At this time, Madonna was already the top pop diva in North America, far more popular than Nicole Kidman, who hadn't yet captured the hearts of American audiences.

As if on cue, Madonna spotted Gilbert and walked over.

"Hi, Nicole. Hi, Tom."

Madonna's greetings were perfunctory; her focus was entirely on Gilbert. Her gaze, full of intent, even scanned him up and down as though appraising him.

"Director Gilbert, that's what everyone calls you," Madonna said, her long, manicured fingers glittering, her red lipstick strikingly bold. She exuded an undeniable sensuality.

She shook hands with Gilbert, letting her fingers linger in his palm with a deliberate, flirtatious graze.

That gesture was unmistakably suggestive.

Although her overpowering perfume made Gilbert slightly dizzy, he maintained his composure and politeness.

"Hello, Ms. Ciccone."

Madonna ignored Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman entirely, engaging Gilbert in conversation. "I adore your movies—they're so cool. We should grab dinner sometime!"

Her tone was dripping with insinuation, her intent crystal clear.

Gilbert, not inexperienced in such matters, understood immediately. He politely declined, "Perhaps another time."

Without waiting for her reaction, Gilbert turned to the Cruise couple and said, "Excuse me, the ceremony's about to start. I should get back to my seat."

Once Gilbert left, Madonna cast a disdainful glance at the Cruise couple, uninterested in further conversation, and returned to her seat.

She was only interested in Gilbert, yet it seemed he wasn't the least bit intrigued by her.

This puzzled Madonna. Many would jump at the chance to be with her, yet Gilbert wasn't interested.

"You'll come around eventually, kid," she thought. "Sooner or later, you'll be mine."

Meanwhile, Gilbert, who had practically fled the scene, was still shaken.

Leonardo DiCaprio, noticing Gilbert's state, asked, "What happened to you?"

"It was Madonna," Gilbert replied, trying to calm himself. "That was dangerous."

Leonardo nearly burst out laughing but held back. "Buddy, you're in trouble. Rumor has it she's...intense in certain aspects. Be careful."

Gilbert rolled his eyes. "Leo, this is no time for jokes."

Leonardo's expression turned serious. "I mean it. You'd best avoid her. Did you hear about her thing with that basketball player Rodman? My God, I can't even imagine. She's almost forty now, Gilbert. You're young—don't fall into her trap."

That went without saying. If it weren't for Madonna's notoriety, Gilbert wouldn't have bolted so quickly.

Madonna had a certain allure, but her reputation for chaotic relationships preceded her. She was infamous for her numerous entanglements across Hollywood, the music industry, and even professional sports.

One persistent rumor suggested that during the Chicago Bulls' legendary 72–10 season, she had rewarded the team after their championship win by performing an...entertaining display in their locker room, allegedly arranged by Rodman.

Of course, this was just a rumor and had never been confirmed.

Still, it highlighted the chaotic nature of Madonna's private life. Unlike other celebrities who at least pretended to be reserved, Madonna didn't bother.

While Gilbert was more familiar with artists like Taylor Swift and Avril Lavigne, he had heard enough about Madonna to know she was someone best avoided.

As he strategized how to handle her advances, the Golden Globes ceremony officially began.

Unlike the Oscars, which were overseen by the Academy with over 6,000 voters, the Golden Globes were hosted by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, with a jury of just 96 journalists, critics, and industry professionals.

This made lobbying for the Golden Globes much easier—bribing 96 people was more feasible than swaying thousands.

The first award, the Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award, went to Dustin Hoffman, who received a standing ovation.

Then came the television categories, none of which Gilbert was familiar with. However, Ian McKellen's Rasputin won Best Miniseries or Television Film.

After the TV awards, it was finally time for the film categories.

Both The English Patient and Saving Private Ryan were in the running this year. Gilbert noticed Harvey Weinstein waving at him from afar and nodded back indifferently.

The first film award, Best Original Score, went to Saving Private Ryan, defeating The English Patient. John Williams accepted the honor amidst applause.

Next, The English Patient reclaimed some ground, winning Best Screenplay.

The competition seemed to revolve around these two films, but then two surprises disrupted the narrative.

Edward Norton won Best Supporting Actor for The People vs. Larry Flynt, and Geoffrey Rush took home Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama for Shine.

This result stunned everyone, including Harvey Weinstein and Gilbert.

Although the Golden Globes' Best Actor in a Drama category wasn't as prestigious as the Oscar for Best Actor, it was still a significant award.

Both The English Patient and Saving Private Ryan had poured extensive resources into lobbying. If not Tom Hanks, the award was expected to go to Ralph Fiennes from The English Patient.

Geoffrey Rush's win came out of nowhere.

Tom Hanks, the losing nominee, was pragmatic about it. "The jury's probably balancing things out. Maybe we campaigned too hard, and they decided to award a neutral third party instead."

Gilbert thought about it and nodded. That explanation seemed plausible.

Later, Tom Cruise won Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy for Jerry Maguire, finally earning himself a leading actor trophy.

However, he still hoped for an Oscar to validate his career.

Meanwhile, to Nicole Kidman's chagrin, Madonna won Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy for Evita.

Despite its modest box office performance, Evita marked the peak of Madonna's brief acting career.

During her acceptance speech, Madonna made a shocking statement.

"I'm thrilled to receive this award—it's such a significant moment for me," she began. Then, with a sly grin, she added, "I have one wish: for my 39th birthday, I'd love to have a romantic dinner with Director Gilbert."

She then blew kisses toward Gilbert's seat, leaving the audience in stunned silence.

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