About an hour later, the rehearsal for all five themes was complete.
The plan included backup contingencies in case any segment encountered issues during the live performance, which would necessitate a re-recording. However, if avoidable, it was best not to disrupt the show.
Most of tomorrow night's guests were ticket holders, eager to witness a flawless performance. Any interruptions and subsequent re-recordings could taint the show's reputation.
After the rehearsal concluded, Simon and his team moved backstage.
The Angels, having just gone through an intense hour of rehearsal, were resting in the backstage area. Upon seeing Simon, they greeted him enthusiastically.
Navigating through the crowd of glamorous models, Simon headed to the control center where Michael Bay was stationed, mainly to review the camera footage from the rehearsal.
While the live performance was crucial, the televised broadcast would reach a much wider audience and was therefore equally important.
Simon, leveraging his memories, had given Michael Bay extensive guidance in advance. Given Bay's expertise, he was more than capable of managing the production. They only needed to discuss a few final details for about half an hour before everything was set.
Winter had already settled in New York, but Los Angeles remained pleasantly warm.
By the next afternoon, Simon was already at the Los Angeles International Airport.
Lisa Collins, carrying a light suitcase, walked into the arrival hall and spotted Jennifer Raebold. She hurried over, and the two women embraced warmly.
After the initial greetings, they walked out arm-in-arm. Lisa complained about the cold weather in New York and expressed a desire to work in Los Angeles. Soon, their conversation shifted to the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show scheduled for that evening.
Lisa's quick trip to Los Angeles over the weekend had a clear purpose: to attend the show.
More specifically, she was there to enjoy the music.
Ever since learning that Simon had personally composed the theme songs for the show, Lisa had repeatedly urged Jennifer to secure her a prime seat.
Even without the deep-seated admiration that Jennifer held, Lisa had always been a devoted fan of Simon's work, whether in film or music, and never missed an opportunity to experience it.
As they left the airport, Jennifer started the car and asked, "Do you want to rest for a bit?"
Lisa glanced at her watch. It was already past four in the afternoon.
Given her busy schedule and the effort it took to make this trip, she wasn't here to rest.
"Let's go straight to the Music Center. Is Simon there?"
"Yes, he is," Jennifer replied, merging onto the airport freeway.
Once the car was on the highway, Lisa looked at her friend, who had developed an increasingly intellectual aura, and asked, "How have things been between you two lately?"
Jennifer, now comfortable discussing her relationship with Lisa, replied, "We're doing great."
"You used to say you wanted a baby, didn't you?" Lisa probed.
"Yes," Jennifer nodded.
"And?" Lisa continued, eagerly, "Did he say no again? I heard they sent their kids to Australia. Men are all the same. If you ask me, you shouldn't give him the choice—just get pregnant, and he won't be able to refuse responsibility."
"It's not like that," Jennifer shook her head, a hint of confusion in her eyes. "Simon doesn't mind having kids, but maybe he and Janet just want to enjoy their time together. He told me I could have a baby whenever I wanted."
Lisa seemed skeptical. "I think you should get a clear agreement, maybe even a contract, to ensure your child has inheritance rights."
Jennifer responded firmly, "I'm not interested in fighting over that. Besides, Simon would never shortchange my child."
"Simon might not, but what about Janet?" Lisa countered.
Jennifer smiled, "As long as I don't compete with her for Simon's attention, Janet is fine with everything else."
"Aren't you competing with her for Simon right now?" Lisa asked.
"No, I'm just his secret lover. I'm not a threat to Janet," Jennifer replied confidently.
"I think you should be more ambitious," Lisa suggested.
Jennifer, content with her current situation, said, "Things are good as they are."
Lisa scrutinized her friend's expression and sighed. "You're hopeless."
Jennifer remained silent, feeling satisfied with her life.
Unlike many women who lived in the shadows of powerful men, she saw Simon daily when he was in Los Angeles. They often had lunch together, and occasionally, she enjoyed his company in San Francisco, experiencing a closeness that surpassed many marriages.
Of course, she had considered taking things further.
As a woman, how could she not desire such a relationship?
However, Jennifer understood that she could never outmatch Janet.
She deeply loved Simon, but not to the extent that Janet did.
Janet had made Simon her entire world.
If Jennifer ever managed to take Simon away, she was sure Janet would likely resort to drastic measures against her.
When they arrived at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in downtown Los Angeles, the area was bustling with activity.
The show had only sold 1,000 tickets, but continuous promotion had drawn a crowd of three to four thousand fans, eager to see the show or catch a glimpse of their favorite Victoria's Secret Angels.
Jennifer and Lisa, compared to the public waiting outside, easily made their way into the theater.
They found Simon, who was with Michael Bay and others, making final preparations for the show. After greeting him, the women didn't want to interrupt, so they wandered around backstage.
As they observed the Victoria's Secret Angels, already in their stunning makeup and costumes, Lisa couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy and admiration typical among women. She eventually leaned over to Jennifer and whispered, "How many?"
Jennifer, initially confused, quickly realized Lisa was asking how many of these models Simon had slept with.
She rolled her eyes in response.
In truth, she didn't know.
Simon hadn't been overly involved in this project, and as his personal assistant, she mostly handled logistical details and paperwork, not keeping track of his private affairs.
Whenever possible, she tried to fend off women who sought Simon's attention, unlike Janet, who was more tolerant.
For the most part, she didn't dwell on his affairs with other women.
After all, she was his lover.
Growing up in Manhattan's Upper East Side, Jennifer had been raised strictly by her parents but was not naïve.
Traditional American values regarding family didn't apply to the elite at the top of society.
In her world, especially around Simon, it was rare to find anyone without a lover. She had come to accept what Janet once told her: "A man as exceptional as Simon could never be with just one woman."
Although she accepted this reality, Jennifer didn't actively seek out details about Simon's other relationships.
Moreover, compared to others who compulsively chased after women, Simon was quite restrained. He didn't have a habit of keeping many women around for long.
The show was set to start at 7:00 PM.
By 6:00 PM, ticket holders began to fill the venue.
After spending some time backstage and grabbing a quick bite to eat, Jennifer and Lisa returned and took their seats in the main hall.
The theater was brightly lit, with soft pre-show music playing in the background.
As the audience trickled in, notable guests began appearing on either side of the runway. Jennifer and Lisa joined Janet, already seated and surrounded by various Los Angeles celebrities, who were constantly approached by fans for autographs and photos.
The excitement built as time flew by.
As 7:00 PM approached, staff began directing the small clusters of attendees to return to their seats.
Once everyone was seated, the theater lights dimmed.
The room fell silent, save for the careful movements of photographers preparing to capture the show.
After a brief pause, the announcer's voice echoed through the speakers, officially starting the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.
A series of clicks like a power switch being thrown echoed, and the lights shifted to a warm, seductive red.
A sultry female voice floated through the sound system, softly intoning a few words.
The first segment: **Psychedelic Angels**.
Then, music and pulsating lights filled the hall simultaneously.
Vicetone's "Angels" played, with a dynamic 50-second intro.
For this show, the extended intro served to prime the audience's anticipation.
Sitting in a prime seat on the right side of the runway, Lisa felt her heart thumping along with the unique beat of the music, an experience mirrored by many in the audience.
Even those outside the theater, unable to enter, could hear the music.
*...*
*Oh my God, I've lost my mind.*
*Chasing your shadow regardless of anything.*
*Don't leave me.*
*I can feel the watchfulness in your heart.*
*...*
As the lyrics began, Cindy Crawford stepped onto the runway, moving in rhythm with the music. The audience, already buzzing with excitement, erupted in applause.
Cindy's angel costume, inspired by the opening look from the 2006 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, combined an icy allure with a hint of pride and sensuality, capturing everyone's attention instantly.
**Dazzling!**
That was the first thought in many minds.
The following Angels also evoked a strong sense of delight from the audience.
Everything, from the stage, lighting, and music to the angel costumes, was meticulously crafted. The angel outfits, discussed and approved by Simon and handmade by professional costume designers, reached an art-like quality.
The show captivated not just the majority of the audience but even seasoned fashion media professionals. The angel outfits were filled with numerous noteworthy details.
Furthermore, the show effectively highlighted the core product—Victoria's Secret lingerie. Each piece, far more daring and stylish than typical designs of the era, showcased Victoria's Secret's ambition to revolutionize women's lingerie fashion.
The first
theme, a five-minute performance, felt like it flew by in a blink under the hall's heated atmosphere.
The thousand-plus attendees found themselves longing for more as Linda Evangelista, the final angel of the segment, disappeared backstage.
Most media professionals present felt an instinctive urge to document their impressions immediately after the first theme ended.
In just five minutes, the combination of lighting, music, stage design, angel costumes, lingerie, and the models themselves warranted detailed commentary.
The rapid burst of inspiration, if not recorded promptly, might fade and be hard to recollect later.
In traditional fashion shows, journalists often made token notes.
For this event, the Victoria's Secret team had asked media attendees to avoid bringing notepads to ensure unobstructed filming. They promised to provide all necessary information and address any questions after the show.
Ironically, when they genuinely wanted to jot down their thoughts, the lack of writing materials became a source of frustration.
Luckily, there was a five-minute interlude between themes, allowing some to search for paper or relay additional instructions to their photographers.
After a brief pause, the second theme commenced.
**Heavenly Love**.
As NLSN's "Paradise" played, a journalist from *Rolling Stone* magazine felt a rush of incredulity.
Such extravagance!
It was pure indulgence!
The first song, "Angels," could alone carry a hit album.
And now, another new song of equal quality.
Typically, artists would only include one or two standout tracks in an album, with the rest often filler. This practice is why record labels opposed the digital sale of individual tracks later on—without bundling, most songs would go unnoticed.
However, Simon Westeros was casually debuting one potential hit after another just to accompany a fashion show.
If this wasn't extravagance, what was?
Initially, the journalist had hoped that only "Angels" and "Paradise" would be the highlights. But when the third song, "Blank Space," started, he was ready to find Simon and shake him—after worshipping him, of course.
Taylor Swift's transition-defining single "Blank Space," rivaling the previous two songs in quality, even surpassed them in terms of its sophisticated composition and arrangement.
In the original timeline, "Blank Space" had also graced the Victoria's Secret runway, perfectly complementing the show's ambiance.
_________________________
[Check out my Patreon for +200 additional chapters in all my fanfics! $5 for all!!] [www.p@treon.com/INNIT]