His Genius Wife Is A Superstar Chapter 1652: Call of the Spotlight (Part V)
Previously on His Genius Wife Is A Superstar...
Iris Long found her curiosity piqued upon learning that the record for the longest winning streak by a daily champion currently stood at eight days. She wondered what it took for an amateur with zero professional experience to successfully fend off all challengers for over a week.
Having served as a guest judge for the day, she had already witnessed the raw talent and immense potential of two of the three contestants. It was unfortunate that the second singer failed to advance, but in a cut-throat competition like this, there could only be one winner. No ties were permitted.
Furthermore, if fresh talent appeared every single day, the country's pool of gifted individuals must be vast. Iris couldn't help but feel impressed by the depth of talent.
The program director finally signaled the end of the commercial break. With only one minute to return to their marks, everyone scrambled into position. This included Jin Liwei, who stepped away from the judges' panel with visible reluctance, though not before planting a swift peck on his wife’s cheek.
The audience erupted, "Oooooooooh~"
The Black Stars, who had been focused on Boss Iris from the start, reacted even more intensely. They squealed, "Kyaaaaaaaaah!!!"
Watching another tender moment between their goddess and her husband caused them to clutch their chests, feeling as though their hearts might explode from the sheer sweetness of the scene.
Even the hosts couldn't suppress their snickers at the sight. The authentic affection displayed by this married couple far surpassed the "love teams" often invited to the show. Frequently, those pairs only feigned romance for the cameras despite having no real-life connection, yet devoted fans still went wild for them.
The hosts believed a genuine, happy couple like Iris Long and Liam Jin was worth a billion times more than those manufactured pairings. Some younger hosts had even gained fame through management-assigned love teams; while a few became real, almost none achieved a "happily ever after."
Returning to the broadcast, Master Beauty and the veteran hosts began introducing the final daily showdown between the new challenger and the reigning champion.
At the judges' table, Iris and her colleagues regained their professional composure. They ceased their private chatter and focused their full attention on the stage.
Despite being an entertainment show, many participants viewed this as a desperate battle for their dreams. Coming from impoverished backgrounds, "Call of the Spotlight" served as their golden ticket to a better life.
Iris required no instructions on how to behave. She had committed to judging with total sincerity from the start. She refused to be the reason a deserving person lost their chance at a better future simply because she was too lazy to pay attention. She noted that her fellow judges, Albert Alcala and Dina Bendita, were also approaching their roles with gravity.
Master Beauty finally presented the defending daily champion.
Iris observed that the champion was a rather attractive woman. Consulting the info sheet, she saw the woman was in her late twenties—just a few years older than herself. Iris grew intrigued by the voice that had secured six consecutive wins. A victory today would mark seven days, putting her just one win away from matching the legendary eight-day record.
"She has a good look, doesn't she?" Dina whispered, leaning in close.
Iris nodded in agreement.
"I'm keeping a close eye on her. Regardless of today's outcome, I've decided to mentor her personally. With some professional training and a styling overhaul, she could really make a mark in the music industry. If she polishes her image, she might even transition into acting. We'll see."
"You have a good eye," Iris remarked.
Even without hearing her sing, Iris could recognize star quality. Though the champion's aura was currently faint, proper packaging could lead to success in showbiz, especially with a Filipino icon like Dina Bendita as a benefactor.
"Now I'm even more curious to find out why you like her so much," Iris added.
Dina offered a mysterious smile. "You'll see."
Once the hosts finished interviewing the defending champion, they announced that the challenger would perform first. The champion stepped into the background.
"Good luck!" Master Beauty told the challenger, giving a firm thumbs up. She clearly favored the humble farmer over the reigning champion.
The challenger, a poor farmer from a remote mountainous region, turned to face the crowd. He was visibly shaking with nerves. The audience cheered loudly, attempting to bolster his confidence. Even the champion's supporters, despite their banners, couldn't help but root for him. It was easy to sympathize with someone from such a difficult background.
However, the moment the music began, a transformation occurred in the challenger's eyes. It was as if a fire had been ignited within him.
Iris caught the change instantly and sat up straighter.
The trembling ceased. He began to sing with every ounce of his soul.
Once again, he chose a song by Enrique Valdez. Unlike his previous selection, this track wasn't a global hit; it was one of the band's early works from before they achieved international fame.
It was a poignant rock ballad. While it didn't rely on complex vocal gymnastics, it demanded a high range. Because Filipinos have a deep love for romantic ballads, it remained a classic in the Philippines even after all these years.
With a voice that was slightly gritty yet remarkably clear, the challenger began to serenade everyone in the studio.