Chapter 229: Julie's Hidden Agenda

In Hollywood, actors are actually quite passionate about politics.

The most successful example is Reagan, of course.

Then there are governors like Schwarzenegger and Ventura.

Clint Eastwood, a star from the 60s and 70s, even served as a mayor.

Allen Orrit also served as a mayor.

The child star from the 1930s, Shirley Temple, even became the U.S. ambassador to foreign countries.

In the future, big-name stars like Angelina Jolie, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, and Tom Cruise all announced their intentions to run for president.

Why are so many celebrities in the United States so keen on entering politics?

One reason is that the barriers to entry are relatively low.

As long as they meet the age, nationality, and other legal requirements, anyone can run theoretically.

As a result, political campaigns often become a form of performance art.

For example, there's an old man who wears rain boots and runs in every presidential election, even though he's eliminated in the first round. But he continues to run, finding enjoyment in the process.

For him, winning doesn't matter at all. He just enjoys the process, regardless of the outcome.

In short, the entry threshold is very low.

Of course, a low threshold doesn't mean it's easy to succeed in politics; most people are just seeking some attention.

Another reason is that Hollywood actors, especially the big stars, have a lot of resources, giving them a natural advantage when it comes to running for office.

Actors and politicians in the U.S. are essentially the same; all they need to do is perform.

The candidate is like an entertainer, the campaign team is the agent, and the supporters are the fans and moviegoers. The star simply needs to swap roles and seamlessly integrate these resources.

Moreover, politics carries a certain aura, which can elevate an actor's status.

It is well-known that while Hollywood stars are adored by the general public, their actual standing in high society is quite low.

Except for a few with special backgrounds, most of them are seen as socialites, albeit wealthier ones.

For instance, the famous Marilyn Monroe wasn't just an icon of the time; she was also offered to a certain president who was later assassinated, becoming a plaything for both brothers.

(Yes, even the brother did it!)

To truly make a leap in social status and gain acceptance into high society, actors have a few options:

Make a lot of money. In America, once you reach a certain level of wealth, your social status rises accordingly.Become an opinion leader in a specific field (such as future stars like Jolie), which can evolve into the so-called "Hollywood political correctness."Enter politics, which is actually the simplest route. Not only can they aim for high-level positions like president, senator, or governor, but they can also align with a political party or figure, using their popularity to rally support and gain protection. Most actors choose this route.

In the future, actors have found another path: becoming part of a "special group"—such as being gay, bisexual, asexual, or transgender. Among these, being gay or bisexual is the most widely accepted and the most popular choice for actors.

So, when you see a Hollywood star loudly announcing their political views or sexual orientation, don't take it seriously. It's all for show, all part of the act.

Hollywood is a place rich, exaggerated, and absurd enough for these kinds of performances!

Martin belongs to the category of stars with a deep background, so when he entered this circle, he naturally brought along the aura of high society.

In addition, his identity as a genius is one layer of aura, his status as a writer another, as a music creator yet another, being a billionaire another layer, and his status as a hero provides him with yet another layer of protection, not to mention the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which adds another political dimension to his aura...

Unconsciously, Martin has wrapped himself in multiple layers of protection, making himself a "nested doll."

Honestly, Martin sometimes wonders if he could run for U.S. president in the future. He has enough campaign funds, fan support, and magical "cheating" powers—these are all natural advantages.

Becoming the president of the United States should bring even more opportunities, right?

If Obama could do it, why can't he?

[TL/N: Here we go again, so basically the mc want to court the 'Ching Chong' community since he is fluent in ching chong languange and knowledgeable about Ching Chong culture and the Ching Chong seem to care a lot about cultural identity!]

...

Los Angeles.

Julie called her agent.

"Hey, Heyer, do you have Martin's contact info?"

The person on the other end sounded surprised.

"Martin? What do you want with him? Wait, you're not thinking of doing anything crazy, are you? He's not someone you can mess with."

"Please, do I seem like that kind of person? I have serious business with him!" Julie responded with some irritation, given her agent's misunderstanding.

"Alright, my bad."

On the other end, Heyer Koczynski admitted his mistake but silently thought, "Of course, you are that kind of person."

"What serious business do you want with Martin? You'd better tell me first, so I can see if it's appropriate."

Heyer Koczynski was a strong-willed person. He was not only an agent but also a director and producer (he directed Wanted).

His agency represented over a hundred artists, and Julie was one of his more valued clients.

"My charity foundation wants to collaborate with him. I can offer him better tax reduction benefits!"

"You want to ride on Martin's fame?"

Heyer immediately saw through the unspoken reason behind Julie's request.

Since she had been caught, Julie stopped hiding it. "That's right, do you think it's appropriate?"

After a moment of silence, Heyer said, "Your idea is not bad, but if you want to collaborate with him, you should be prepared to let him take the lead. You can go ahead and negotiate, try to secure the best terms for yourself, but if he insists on taking the lead, I think you should give in."

Julie was a bit displeased. "Why should I?"

Heyer laughed, "Because he has more connections, more funds, and a stronger background. If Martin takes the lead, the foundation should get a 10% tax reduction or even more, and it would benefit you personally too, like... you'd have an ally."