Charttoppers - 4. Popstars: The Rivals

“Our next guest is one of the biggest gay icons of this generation. You all loved his first album Bleed Out…” talk show host Nicholas Stone started his announcement. At that point, the audience had already figured out who he was talking about, and promptly filled the studio with their screams.

“...and now he’s back with a brand new song! Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the fabulous Samson Flynn!!!”

The red velvet curtain to the right of the stage opened and the singer came out smiling, his signature eyeliner framing his dark brown eyes. Dressed in tight green pants and a navy blue silk shirt with peacock feather print, he waved to the audience as they cheered, their noise almost deafening.

“Welcome,” the host greeted his guest as they shook hands and sat down, the crowd only then starting to wind down. “Welcome back to the Late Night Hour! It’s great to have you here with us again.”

“Thanks for having me! It’s been a while, hasn’t it?” Samson spoke, still surprised and thrilled at the audience’s reaction. It was one of the main reasons he loved performing for large crowds at concerts - the bigger the better was his motto, and not just in bed. The positive energy and love of his fans made him feel on top of the world.

“Yes, it has! Almost a year, right? But now you’re back with a brand new song and video. How does it feel?”

“Honestly, honey, it feels like I never even left. After the first album, I spent a few months away, travelling and taking a break, and then I got right back into the studio, preparing my new record.”

“So we’re getting a new album? When does it come out? Can you tell us anything about it?” the host asked, knowing everyone in the audience and at home watching the show wanted to know the answer to that question.

“Well, that’s actually why I’m here! I’d like to announce that my new album will be called Night Calls, and it’s coming out June 24!” Samson said, looking at the audience, barely able to suppress a grin. It seemed as though the entire studio erupted into cheers and applause that lasted for at least a minute.

“Wow, this is an exclusive, right?” the host asked, receiving a nod in response.

“That’s right, honey, you’re getting all the goodies first! I had a really fun time writing it, because this time I wanted to make sure it’s more authentic and personal. The songs really mean a lot to me, and I can’t wait for everyone to hear them,” the singer smiled. “But that’s all I can say for now. I’ll be revealing the tracklist and the album cover on my social media really soon,” he added, biting his lower lip. “Just because I’m evil and want to keep you in suspense a little longer.”

“Alright, then, I guess we’ll just have to be patient. There you have it, ladies and gentlemen, just three months until Samson’s new album - Night Calls! But let’s talk about the new song. It’s called Clouds, and there’s already a video for it. And it seems your fans are loving it, am I right?” Stone said, raising his eyebrows. A video screenshot appeared on the big screen behind them, showing Samson laying by the pool as the audience started whooping and cheering. The singer looked behind and burst into laughter, covering his mouth with his hands in embarrassment.

“I’m glad people love it, the reactions have really been amazing! Honestly, I’m so thankful and humbled to have such supporting fans.”

“How could they not love it? The song is brilliant and, I mean, it’s not like they get to see you like that every day,” the host joked, pointing at the picture.

“Honestly, Nicholas, what was I supposed to do?” Samson shrugged innocently. “You can’t go into the pool clothed.”

“Exactly, you had no choice,” Stone played along. “We all love the song and the video, and you’re going to perform it for us later tonight, right?”

“Yes, I can’t wait!” the singer nodded and the audience once again clapped.

"Now tell me, another young superstar has just released a new song too - Ash Khong. The media has been pitting you against each other, comparing you from the start. Is there any rivalry there?"

"Oh, no, not at all. We all love Ash, right?" Samson asked and the audience all cheered in agreement. "Of course, and his new song is great! Look, I think there will always be comparisons in this business, especially since we started out at the same time and we’re about the same age. And we all know how the media tends to dramatize everything - they gotta get those clicks somehow, right? But the great thing is that there's room for everyone. And the more competition, the better. It keeps us all at the top of our game!"

“So, no animosity, only friendly competition?”

“Exactly,” Samson nodded, flashing a smile for the host and the cameras.

Across the pond, the Edwards family had just finished their dinner and moved to the living room where they sat in front of the TV for some family time. While the two youngest children, Lucy and Kit, sat on the carpet to play on their tablet, the eldest son Tyler sat on the couch with his parents, watching Samson’s interview on Late Night Hour.

“Alright, it’s time for a short commercial break, and after we get back, Samson’s going to perform his new hit single Clouds,” Nicholas Stone announced as the singer got up from his chair to get ready for the first live performance of his new song.

Once the commercials were over, the camera panned to the stage where Samson lay on a sofa, recreating the scene from his music video. Purple lights illuminated the stage and as the music began playing, the singer lifted his head and started singing. He slowly got up and reached the center of the stage, while his dancers appeared from the back, joining him. Still, all eyes were on Samson - people couldn’t help watching his every move as if hypnotized.

The tablet already forgotten on the carpet, four-year-old Lucy got up as she heard the music. She started dancing clumsily, trying to copy the moves she saw on the screen, while her parents and her big brother smiled, observing the heartwarming scene in front of them.

“Go Lucy!” Tyler shouted, encouraging his little sister.

“She’ll be dancing like that to your songs soon,” Eric, Tyler’s dad, commented as he clapped along.

“Do you think she’ll recognize you when she sees you on the telly?” Marissa, the boy’s mom asked, all excited.

“Mom, please, I haven’t even released my song yet. For all I know, it could fail horribly and I won’t even leave this flat, let alone get to be on TV,” the nineteen-year-old said, rolling his eyes.

Even though making it big as a singer was his dream since he was a teenager, Tyler did not like to get his hopes up. Growing up in a lower middle class family, he was aware that not all dreams come true, no matter how hard we want them to. With three young children, his parents were stuck in dead-end jobs they did not like but had to keep just to make ends meet. His mother, though, seemed to have an infinite supply of optimism despite their less than ideal financial situation.

“Of course you won’t fail, pumpkin! I’m tellin’ ya, the song’s gonna be a proper hit, you’ll see! Everybody’s gonna love it,” Marissa didn’t relent, squeezing and shaking her son by the shoulder.

“Yeah, and then I’m gonna meet the Queen, go on a world tour and win a Stardust award,” Tyler couldn’t help making a joke.

“That’s right, you will,” the plump woman nodded confidently, oblivious to her son’s sarcasm.

“I wasn’t being serious,” he shook his head. “Mom, I know you’re trying to be encouraging, but I just don’t want to get my hopes up. Let’s just… let’s wait and see what happens, ok?”

“Your mom’s just excited for ya. We all are. Right, loves?” Eric asked, getting a loud “YES!” from Kit in response. “You feelin’ ready for it, boy? Two weeks till your song’s out,” the man asked, glancing at his son.

“I don’t know. A year ago, getting a record deal was my biggest wish, my main goal. But now I see it’s just the first step of the way. Once the song’s out, things are out of my hands,” Tyler was honest. He shrugged, staring at the screen, watching Samson confidently answer the host’s questions after giving a show-stopping performance. It seemed as though he thrived on attention.

Tyler wasn’t sure he could ever be like that. Sure, he had a powerful voice that landed him a record deal, but he was just an ordinary guy. Could he actually be a star? His family and his girlfriend seemed to believe so, but he wasn’t so sure.

“Maybe you’ll be up there alongside him soon,” his dad said, pointing at Samson.

“God, I hope not. I would die of embarrassment. He’s literally a superstar!”

“He doesn’t have your voice, honey,” Marissa quickly interjected. She didn’t like it when her son doubted himself.

“Maybe so, but he’s got everything else,” Tyler replied, starstruck and a little envious at the same time.

Later that night, Tyler lay in his bed staring at the ceiling. His upcoming single, The Day I Found You, was playing on repeat in his earphones. Two weeks. Two weeks until the song is released into the world. The truth was, he was terrified and excited at the same time. Excited because this was all he ever wanted, and terrified because he was putting himself out there. In fourteen short days, people would be able to hear his song and judge it. What if they hated it?

The nineteen-year-old knew the odds were stacked against him. Thanks to social media, YouTube and streaming, more and more young people were releasing music, fighting for their chance in the spotlight. Maybe his song would go unnoticed, just a drop in the vast ocean of music.

Still, there was also a chance that people would like it and that his dream would come true. As slim as that chance was, the very thought of it was enough to put a smile on his face as he fell asleep.

~~

Driving through the city, Ash gripped the steering wheel of his Ferrari as he listened to a k-pop playlist he created earlier that day. Even though he was technically not a k-pop idol anymore since he quit the band and signed a deal with an American record label, he still loved listening to music from his home country. It reminded him of where he came from and how he started his journey.

However, even though Seoul was his hometown and the place where he learned his craft and first stepped onto the stage with his former bandmates seven years ago, he barely even visited South Korea anymore. Even his parents and sister moved to America and found jobs there. Their presence and support definitely made the transition easier for him.

Although he wanted to turn the music up and sing along to it, Ash kept it quiet because of his passenger - manager Paul Raines. The clean cut, well-dressed businessman sat in the passenger seat, tapping on his phone. Once he was done, he turned to his client. Even though Ash was focused on the road ahead, he noticed the man had something to say.

“You really didn’t have to come with me, Paul,” the Korean spoke first. “I can handle Sanders on my own.”

“I know you can, but I’m your manager,” Raines responded as if talking to a child.

“You manage three other artists, so what’s your point?”

“None of them are about to have a private meeting with the CEO of Pinnacle,” the man replied flatly.

“Right, and you gotta make sure I don’t make him angry or say something stupid,” the singer rolled his eyes as he pulled up to the parking lot in front of the skyscraper his record label was in.

“Like I said, I’m your manager,” Paul chuckled. “Look, Ash, I know what you want to say to him, but just… be tactful, ok? I know he won’t be, but that doesn’t mean you have to stoop to his level. He likes to-”

“Yeah, yeah, he likes to think he’s always right and no one can convince him otherwise. I’ve heard that speech a million times,” Ash groaned. “I don’t care. He’s gonna hear what I have to say. This is my career we’re talking about and I’ve been in this business long enough to know how things work. Maybe not as long as him, but I’ve been through it all already with the management of 2Good, and I don’t intend to let someone else run my career for me again, ok?”

“Hey, I’m on your side here. But you know what the contract you signed is like. Whether we like it or not, Cliff Sanders has a lot of say in things, so you can’t just go against his will. So far we’ve been lucky that he’s left us to our devices, but if he wants to meddle and change the way we do things, he has every right to.”

“So you’re saying I need to just shut up, bend over and take it?” the Korean frowned. He did not want a repeat of his band days where the managers and higher ups decided every move for them.

“No, I’m just saying you should try not to make him angry. By all means, speak your mind, but think before you say anything. And believe it or not, not all of his ideas are bad. He does strike gold more often than not. After all, he didn’t become CEO just through dumb luck,” the manager advised as they stepped into the elevator, pressing the top floor button.

After a long ride up, the bell sounded and the door opened. The two men walked out and headed for the desk where a blond girl sat, typing away on her computer.

“Can I help- oh, Ash. And Mr Raines,” the girl smiled politely, nodding at them. “You’re here to see Mr Sanders?”

“Yes, we have an appointment at two,” Paul stated, resuming his business-like manner.

“Of course, I’ll let him know you’ve arrived,” the secretary said and picked up the phone, informing her boss about the two visitors. Once she was done, she gestured to them to proceed to his office.

“Is he in a good mood today?” Paul whispered before they left.

“Yeah, you caught him on a good day. Unless some of his stocks crashed in the last five minutes,” the girl shrugged. “Good luck.”

Ash could never get used to Cliff Sander’s office, and not just because it was so rare that he actually visited. What everyone called ‘office’ was more like a luxury penthouse with a huge open floor plan decorated with sleek, minimalist furniture, enough house plants to fill a garden and a floor-to-ceiling glass wall that filled the place with sunlight and made it look even bigger. To the left was a modern, white kitchen with a separate dining hall and a bar, while to the right was a spacious bedroom - which Ash had never actually entered - and two bathrooms.

Moments after they entered the place, the two men could hear the overly loud voice of the CEO of Pinnacle Records.

“Good afternoon, boys! What can I do for you?”

A tall, middle-aged man with an average build walked towards them, a self-satisfied smile on his long face. As Ash looked at his greying brown hair, he wondered how someone with so much money could have such a bad haircut - not even the expensive grey suit he wore could save that look.

“Hello, Mr Sanders,” the singer greeted him politely but coldly, shaking his hand, followed by his manager.

“What’ll you have? Whiskey? Cognac? Or… I don’t know what you people drink in Korea, but I probably have it,” the man said, moving toward the bar.

“I’ll pass, thanks,” Ash frowned.

“Suit yourself. Paul?”

“Whiskey, neat. Thanks,” the manager said, following his client to the enormous brown leather armchairs. Cliff returned moments later with two glasses and sat in the chair behind his desk, strategically placed higher than the armchairs for his visitors. He loved to appear taller than them.

“So, what brings you two here? Is everything alright?” the CEO asked, leaning forward and looking at Ash inquisitively.

“Actually, no,” the singer replied calmly, his manager’s instructions replaying in his head. “I wanted to discuss the video with you.”

“Video? What video?” Sanders frowned, glancing between Ash and Paul.

“The music video for Off The Rails,” the Korean added, trying his best to hide the annoyance he was feeling.

“Oh. I saw it, thought it was great. Paul, what did you think? A pretty good video, right?” Sanders turned to Ash’s manager, but before he could even speak, Ash interjected.

“Good or not, it wasn’t what we agreed on, the director and I. We had a clear vision of what it should look like. Where are all the scenes we shot with the band and I playing?”

“They were cut,” Cliff spoke tersely, his eyes narrowing on Ash. “I saw the final product and simply put, it wasn’t the image your fans are used to. So I ordered the director to re-edit it. We don’t need your fanbase to think you’ve suddenly switched on them and became some rockstar. They wanna see you dance and look pretty, so that’s what we’re giving them.”

Abandoning all pretense of being cool and composed, Ash nearly jumped up from the armchair, hands smashing down on Sanders’ desk.

“Are you kidding me with this?! My fans would not stop listening to me just because they see me change things up and play the guitar in a video. That doesn’t make any fucking sense! Have you not seen the Underdogs? They started as a boyband and now they’re freakin’ rockstars!”

“Yes, and their sales have dropped by over fifty percent. I wouldn’t exactly call that a successful transition,” the CEO said, getting up from his chair and raising his voice.

“That happens to everyone after a while, you can’t always have the same numbers. They’ve been in the business for twelve years, so they must be doing something right!”

“And when you’re in the business for twelve years, then you can call the shots! Until then, you’re gonna have to get used to compromising.”

“Gentlemen! Let’s take a time out, shall we,” Paul suddenly raised his hands, his voice loud and serious. “We’re getting nowhere like this. We all want for Ash to be successful, I think we can all agree on that?”

Silent, the other two men sat back down, refusing to look at each other. Finally, Ash broke the silence.

“All I want is to be involved in the decisions regarding my career. If you think my videos should be changed, discuss it with me instead of blindsiding me like that.”

Cliff Sanders sighed, his eyes darting between the two men sitting in front of him. Ash waited for an apology, but the man couldn’t seem to be able to say it.

“Paul has a point,” Sanders finally said. “Ash’s career is what’s important here. I didn’t change the video to spite you, but to help you.”

“I don’t-” Ash started to complain, but Sanders lifted a hand, cutting him off.

“I’m not done. Time is money and a minute of mine is worth a million. If I was to waste it on every little problem each of my artists has, I would go bankrupt. If your video had done badly, then you would’ve had a reason to come here and throw a fit. But as far as I can see, it’s gotten tens of millions of views already and nothing but praises. So be thankful you’ve gotten another hit song.”

“Anything else?” the Korean singer asked, shooting daggers at the CEO. It was all he could do not to stand up and smack him across his old, smug face.

“As a matter of fact, yes. About your album release, I believe it would be best if we push it back a week - to June 24.”

“Why?” Ash asked, but Paul quickly turned to look at Sanders, realizing what was going on.

“Wait, that’s the week when Samson Flynn’s album comes out,” the manager said. Always on top of things in the industry, he was already aware of what the singer announced during his recent interview. “No one big is releasing the week before, we’d have no competition. The number one would be practically guaranteed.”

“Then why would I wanna release the same week as Samson? He’s got a fanbase and…” the Korean started making his argument, confused about Sanders’ sudden change of plans. Was the man trying to ruin his career?

“Exactly, and so do you, but yours is much bigger. He can’t possibly compete. Besides, it’ll get the fans riled up, everyone will be talking about you two. The media’s already pitting you against each other, so they’ll be all over this. It’s the perfect storm,” Cliff explained with satisfaction in his voice. “This rivalry is going to be the best promo for your album, and the best part is we don’t have to pay a dime for it. We’ll just let the press do their thing and write as many bullshit clickbait pieces of drivel they call articles as they want. While sales are dropping for everyone else, yours will be increasing. Your fans are going to go crazy, buying your album to secure you that number one spot.”

“And so will Samson’s,” Paul countered. “He’s going to benefit from this as much as Ash will.”

“Well, that’s something we’ll have to live with. As long as we come out on top, it doesn’t matter how much he sells. And we will come out on top because we’ve got the Kelly Marvel factor,” Sanders stated. “And of course, because I believe in you. You’re our top talent, I tell you!” he quickly added, pointing at Ash.

“Wait, what do you mean Kelly Marvel, what does she have to do with this?” the singer asked, confused.

“That song you two recorded, if we release it as the next single, it should be good promo for the album and another easy hit on our hands.”

“Shallow Waters? But I wanted Too Close for the second single,” Ash objected, getting more annoyed by the second.

“You’re free to release it as the third,” Cliff shrugged. “But we’ve got momentum here and we need to keep it going. The Marvel girl is a hot commodity right now and we’d be fools not to use that song of yours to our advantage. After the album promo cycle is over, you can release Too Close and shoot ten videos for all I care. But first, we need to get this duet out in time for the album release. Shoot the video, get a few performances lined up, the works. And when we debut at number one, I’m flying you all to Paris to celebrate.”

Ash was silent the whole way down to the ground floor, mulling over everything that just happened. It wasn’t until they left the building that his manager spoke.

“What’s on your mind?”

“I wanna kill that son of a bitch. He’s playing with my career like it’s a fucking game!” The singer was angry for being so powerless. Sanders was as powerful as he was obnoxious, and there was little Ash could do to stop him.

“I agree that his methods may be… unconventional, but let’s wait and see how this plays out. The duet with Kelly is a good shot for a hit, which you will need close to album release,” Paul said as they walked toward Ash’s car. “But the whole ‘releasing on the same week as Samson’ thing… I’m not so sure about that.”

“I’m sure it’s gonna fucking fail. I can already see the articles saying how desperate the whole thing is.”

“Then why not humor him? Not like we have much of a choice, but if Samson’s album does beat yours, at least it’s gonna be a big piece of humble pie right in Sanders’ face.”

“Now that I’d like to see,” Ash chuckled as he got in his car. “You comin’ or what?”

“Are you going back home?” the manager asked, standing at the passenger side.

“No, going to the gym. I need to punch something.”

“What the hell, I could use a workout too,” Paul shrugged and entered the car, closing the door behind him.