The Best Movie Actor In Hollywood!

Chapter 508

“It’s hard to believe that in today’s America—a society built on freedom, democracy, and equality—the issue of racism persists.”

Onstage, in front of a live studio audience, Oprah wrapped up her opening monologue. The main event was about to begin, and she was eagerly anticipating it.

As the nation's number one talk show host for three decades, she would maintain a relatively impartial stance. This head-to-head confrontation would be a massive ratings boost for The Oprah Winfrey Show, no matter who came out on top.

With its sensational topic and massive star power, she was confident this episode would shatter viewership records for recent years.

Matthew stood just offstage, his eyes fixed on the entrance on the opposite side. If he was right, Spike Lee was over there, waiting for his cue, just like him.

The music softened, and Oprah's voice filled the studio. “And now, a famous Hollywood star finds himself facing accusations of racism in the media...”

“Please welcome, Matthew Horner!”

As Oprah's voice faded, Matthew walked onto the stage, waving to the camera and then to the cheering audience as he crossed.

He was dressed in a simple long-sleeved shirt, jeans, and sneakers, looking no different from any young man you might see on the street. A friendly, natural smile graced his face, radiating an approachable warmth.

“How could a man like that be the racist the papers were writing about?”Inside a modest, slightly weathered house in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, Maria pointed at the television screen. “This is pure slander! Those bastards framed our Matthew!”

Thompson's tanned face was a mask of indignation. “No doubt about it!”

Behind him, a dozen fan club members hurled various curses at the names of Spike Lee, Naomie Harris, Paula Patton, and Jada Smith.

For a moment, the room was chaos.

Brian quickly interjected, “Quiet down! Matthew is prepared. I...”

He lowered his voice and whispered a few words. A wave of understanding washed over the room, followed by a ripple of laughter.

****

In the studio, Gilbert watched Matthew shake Oprah's hand and sit down on the lone sofa. One of his hands drifted unconsciously to the bag slung over his shoulder, feeling for the eggs inside.

Oprah looked at Matthew with her signature smile. “You've been in a lot of trouble lately.”

Matthew had chosen the common-man approach, a strategy he and his team had carefully planned. He put on a sorrowful expression. “When your house is blockaded by a crowd of misled reporters and strangers, you get too worried to even sleep at night.”

“Misled?” Oprah seized on the keyword. “Are you saying the people camped outside your door don't know the truth?”

Matthew spread his hands, his expression innocent. “Aren't they? If they knew the truth, they wouldn't be blocking my door. They've been fooled.”

Oprah didn't give him a moment to breathe, immediately pressing, “So, are you saying that what's been reported in the media—and the people who claim you're a racist—is all untrue?”

Hearing the question, Matthew knew instantly that Oprah was far more formidable than any reporter or host he had ever faced.

“I'm not lying!”

In her mansion, Jada Smith sat in front of the television and said to Will Smith, “He really did steal your role!”

Will said nothing in response, his gaze fixed intently on the screen.

Spike stood at the entrance on the other side of the stage, dressed in a high-fashion suit. Even the glasses on his nose were a limited-edition Chanel design, lending him an almost regal air.

“They're misleading the public,” Matthew answered honestly. “Their words contain a kernel of truth, but they build a web of lies around it to deceive everyone.”

Her smile vanishing, Oprah asked, “Matthew, who is the 'they' you're referring to?”

Matthew stated, “Everyone has seen their names in the media lately.”

Oprah asked pointedly, “Like... the first person who accused you?”

“Yes.” Matthew nodded without hesitation, guessing that Oprah was about to bring out Spike Lee. “This whole fiasco started with Spike accusing my character in 300 of killing a black man, and then accusing Eastwood of making Flags of Our Fathers without any black characters.”

He looked at Oprah. “Ms. Winfrey, I'd like to ask, were there any black soldiers in the unit that captured Iwo Jima?”

Oprah shook her head. “No.”

Matthew then asked, “I assume you've seen a lot of Hollywood movies?”

Oprah nodded gently. “I've seen just as many as you have.”

Matthew then added, “And in how many war and action movies have you seen have the black characters not died?”

Oprah thought for a moment. “Many.”

Matthew turned to the audience. “So, do you think it’s fair to say that Director Eastwood and I are supposedly racists because of this?”

For a moment, the studio was silent. Then a voice called out, “Of course not!”

Someone else shouted, “By that standard, we’re all racists!”

Another voice even yelled, “I remember one of Spike’s movies where a few black guys died! Does that mean he discriminates against black people?!”

A wave of laughter instantly rolled through the audience.

Gilbert smiled too, his hand falling away from his backpack.

The laughter from the audience made Spike Lee's expression turn ugly. He started to his feet, ready to storm the stage, but a staff member stopped him.

“Please, be patient.”

He shot a glare at Oprah and stood his ground, mentally cursing her.

Helen stood at the entrance on the opposite side of the stage, a slight smile playing on her lips. Matthew had been smart to use Eastwood as his shield. The vast majority of people could see that Spike’s attacks on Eastwood and Flags of Our Fathers were baseless. Once Matthew established that, it was easy to pull 300 into the same argument and win the audience’s approval.

Standing near Spike, James Jackson shook his head. He had advised Spike not to bring Eastwood into it, but Spike hadn't listened. For years, the man had used his race as a weapon, attacking anyone he pleased, while others, intimidated by accusations of racial discrimination, could do nothing to stop him.

James sighed and couldn't help but curse inwardly. In his years as an instigator of racial conflict, Spike had alienated and subjugated everyone, likely believing his methods were invincible.

In reality, Spike's initial accusation was riddled with flimsy arguments. But placed in the context of America's social climate, and involving two famous public figures, the charge instantly became explosive.

Matthew understood this perfectly. All of Spike's irrational claims suddenly made sense under the cover of his skin color and in an environment where the Hollywood left held absolute dominance.

***

Matthew sat on the sofa onstage, answering Oprah's questions with an easy, relaxed demeanor.

It was a live broadcast, and Oprah asked sharp questions without being overtly biased—one of the very reasons, he suspected, that her show had thrived for more than two decades.

In just a few moments, people in the studio and those watching on television began to reconsider the accusations against Matthew. The public might be easily swayed by the media, but they weren't incapable of thinking for themselves.

Oprah asked again, “So, you believe that all the accusations the director has made against you are baseless?”

If he were facing someone like Naomie Harris or Paula Patton, Matthew might have hesitated. But not now. He nodded at once and replied, “Of course! The actor who played the Persian emissary in the film, Kenneth, we’ve known each other for years.”

This was true; the actor had originally been with the Angel Agency.

“We were both just doing our jobs,” Matthew said naturally. “Kenneth has already given an interview and stated that he was treated with the same respect as every other actor on set.”

Oprah nodded gently and changed tack. “But director Spike Lee's subsequent interviews in newspapers and magazines claim otherwise.”

Without letting Matthew speak, she continued, “However, would you like to talk to him in person?”

Matthew's mouth fell slightly open, his expression one of pure surprise.

This was exactly the effect Oprah wanted. She announced loudly, “Please welcome director Spike Lee!”

Adjusting his fashionable suit, Spike Lee strode onto the stage in his limited-edition leather shoes, carrying himself like an old-world English aristocrat.

Matthew instantly put on the exact look of shock required for the moment.

“What?!”

“It's Spike Lee!”

“Why is he here?!”

A chorus of surprised voices erupted from the audience.

Back in the Westwood house, everyone fell silent, their feigned shock masking the fact that they had been expecting this all along.

Spike's appearance was so unexpected that Oprah let the audience's chatter continue for a moment. This was exactly the kind of drama she wanted, the on-air clash that would keep her show at the absolute top of the ratings.

The two men were a study in contrasts.

Matthew was dressed in simple, casual clothes, no different from the young people in the audience, as if he were just another member of the general public.

Spike was the complete opposite. His dark suit and leather shoes were clearly expensive, and everything else, from the diamond studs in his ears to the gold watch on his wrist, broadcast a message of wealth and status.

Stepping onto the stage, Spike showed no interest in engaging with the audience. He didn't even glance at the crowd, walking straight toward Oprah and Matthew.

Matthew's surprised expression slowly returned to neutral. He glanced at Oprah, who simply smiled at him without a word.

She didn't offer an explanation, nor did she need to.

Because this was The Oprah Winfrey Show. This was her show.

Oprah's expression remained unchanged. Her gaze shifted to Spike Lee, then back to Matthew, who, based on his choice of clothes alone, was clearly the smarter of the two.

Perhaps Director Spike was too disconnected from his audience.

Oprah suddenly found herself thinking about Spike's directorial style and his public persona. It occurred to her that he had never really understood what audiences wanted.

Compared to him, the popular Horner was far more likable, just based on image alone.

If Spike couldn't dispel the suspicion that he had falsely accused Matthew of racism, he was probably going to be in trouble.

Oprah herself had already seen some of the materials Helen had provided. She knew what cards Matthew was holding, and a pleased smile settled on her face.