The stage lights dimmed, and a wave of bright gold swept across the massive arena.
The Global Competition Finals had officially begun.
Cheers shook the walls. Flags waved in the air. Cameras zoomed in on faces full of anticipation.
Every continent had its representative, every fan had someone to root for, and the world was watching.
"Welcome to the grand finale!" the host's voice boomed through the hall, echoed by the crowd's roar.
"Eight finalists. One stage. One global champion!"
Dayo and Alice sat in the VIP booth. The screen below displayed the lineup:
Min-Jae, Emily, Misha, Frank, Sophie, Amara, Matteo, and Lucas — artists from different corners of the world.
One by one, they performed.
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Matteo, the pop singer from Italy, opened with a fierce EDM track.
His performance was flashy, filled with dancers and pyrotechnics — the crowd cheered, phones in the air.
Amara, the R&B artist from Africa, followed with a soulful ballad that had the hall swaying.
