A sleek black silk gown, appearing as though it had been cut from a single piece of fabric, hugged her figure. The off-shoulder, strapless design traced the curvaceous lines of her upper body with precision. The draping fabric cascaded down from her waist like a waterfall, with high slits on both sides that revealed tantalizing glimpses with each step, evoking endless imagination.
Simple yet luxurious.
Subtle yet bold.
As soon as Angelina Jolie appeared, her icy elegance dominated the red carpet, her aura sharp against the golden warmth of the sun. Effortlessly, she captured everyone's attention, and the air filled with a palpable buzz.
No one had expected Angelina to attend tonight's award ceremony!
In the past two years, Angelina's romance with Billy Bob Thornton had been the stuff of legend. Two fiery personalities clashed time and again, pushing the boundaries of conventional wisdom—like modern-day Bonnie and Clyde, rebels breaking the rules.
Last year, at the Golden Globe Awards on the same red carpet, Angelina and Billy turned heads by publicly displaying their love with a passionate French kiss that lasted over two minutes, a bold act that left no one untouched. It was a brazen challenge to the standards of decorum, especially since the event was broadcast live and suitable for all audiences, including many young viewers.
Had this been the only drama, Angelina's return to the Golden Globes wouldn't have been too surprising. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association, known for its love of spectacle, might even have invited her back to stir up more excitement.
After all, she hadn't broken any laws.
But here's the real twist: after two years of being inseparable, Angelina showed up without Billy Bob—because their divorce was still underway.
Their love had been tumultuous, and their breakup just as dramatic. Over the past few months, their separation had been splashed across every headline, with endless gossip and speculation, creating a scene that was downright ugly.
For this reason, it seemed obvious that neither Angelina nor Billy Bob would attend the Golden Globes. It would've been a battlefield, with both of them easy targets for the media's assault. The very idea that they could face each other in the same venue where they'd once flaunted their affection seemed absurd. The media would never let them off the hook.
From any angle, it made sense to avoid this storm.
Yet—Angelina showed up.
Not only did she appear, but she did so with poise, outshining everyone.
And her choice of attire was deliberate—a black evening gown, devoid of color, almost funereal. But its daring and avant-garde design carried a rebellious edge, making it clear she was here to make a statement.
What a presence!
Shock, awe, and endless thoughts swirled through everyone's minds. Cameras clicked instinctively, with flashes lighting up the scene, creating a tidal wave of excitement.
Inside the glass enclosure, NBC's special guests were flustered—
On the red carpet, the TV network had placed hosts responsible for interviewing guests. That team roamed freely, seeking interviews as they went. Inside the glass booth, however, a different group of special commentators analyzed the stars' fashion choices in real-time, enhancing the glitz and glamor of the Golden Globes.
Among them was Cindy Levi, the current fashion editor of Glamour, a magazine with over sixty years of history. Her role was to provide expert fashion commentary.
Unlike other fashion publications, Glamour leans more towards Hollywood glamour, occupying a niche between entertainment gossip and high fashion. This is why Cindy had been invited to the Golden Globes—to keep things lighthearted and entertaining.
But now—
Seeing Angelina's arrival, Cindy was clearly caught off guard. Her mind immediately jumped to recent tabloid gossip about Angelina, making it hard to focus on the fashion. Flustered, she stammered, "This gown... it makes Angelina look like a goddess of war."
"I mean, the goddess of war, Athena. Yes, she... really embodies that spirit."
Her words were clumsy, and she knew it. But there was no turning back now, so she soldiered on, trying to regain her composure.
This was reality—
The reporters were flustered. The guests were in chaos.
Angelina's unexpected appearance had upended all plans like a hurricane, once again making a powerful statement.
There was no denying that she had succeeded.
This young actress, who had become Hollywood's new sex symbol, had consistently challenged norms with her rebellious, bold, and wild image, ultimately crafting a persona that was uniquely her own.
And it had left an indelible impression!
With the opening act of the Golden Globes' red carpet now behind them, Angelina's appearance had set off a massive shockwave at the Hilton Hotel entrance, leaving all the following guests in the shadows. Neither their topics nor their buzz could compete with hers.
Its impact lingered.
Even Catherine Zeta-Jones, who brought a small surprise by walking the red carpet pregnant, couldn't steal the spotlight.
Daniel Day-Lewis, sporting a shaved head and silver earrings in a rockstar style, also failed to make waves.
Not even stars like Anne Hathaway, Halle Berry, Adrien Brody, Maggie Gyllenhaal, or Steven Spielberg could outshine Angelina.
Her impact was simply too strong.
As the bustling noise began to settle, signaling the close of the first half of the red carpet, everyone—journalists, guests, and hosts alike—took a collective breath, their nerves relaxing slightly.
Everyone knew the second half held the true heavyweights. The real showstoppers were yet to come.
A brief pause for an even bigger explosion.
The atmosphere remained lively, but a hint of casual ease slipped in. Smiles spread across faces, and hushed conversations filled the air, discussing the highlights of the first half and, of course—
Angelina Jolie.
Then—
A black sedan pulled up. The security team dutifully opened the door, and a figure stepped out.
The noise in the air gradually died down.