Chapter 1654: Surprise Performance, “Rebirth” (English Version)

"Thank you, Miss Iris," the defending champion said. Although she was fighting back tears, she still managed to smile.

Finally, it was time to calculate the judges' scores for the defending champion. The average score of the three judges was 7.5 points.

"We have a new winner!" Master Beauty exclaimed.

The poor farmer gasped and started sobbing. The previous defending champion also wiped her flowing tears but still went to hug the new champion.

Iris Long nodded, satisfied by the previous defending champion's good sportsmanship.

All three judges also stood up and clapped their hands along with everybody in the audience.

"Ladies and gentlemen, let's give it up for our new champion!"

The poor farmer took centre stage once again and began singing his winning song again. Through his tears, he managed to deliver a solid performance.

Right after, the program director signalled for another commercial break. Iris followed her fellow judges down the judges' panel. They headed backstage. After a quick chat, Iris separated from her fellow judges, who also headed to their respective dressing rooms.

Jin Liwei appeared beside Iris and clasped their hands together.

But before they could reach Iris Long's dressing room, the program director intercepted them.

"Good job today, Iris," the director said. "Thank you so much for accepting our offer to be a judge today."

"It was my pleasure, Director," she replied. "I enjoyed myself today. Being a judge is very interesting."

The director's eyes lit up. "Then, is it possible for you to come back before you leave the Philippines?"

Iris glanced at Dominic Chua. "Can you squeeze it into my schedule?"

"I'll figure out something," Dom said. "Director, I'll contact you."

"Great! I hope you can come back! Oh, right. I almost forgot. I know that it's not in our original agreement for you to perform a song in the show today, but if you could do it, we'll be most grateful to you."

Iris chuckled. "Can you even fit it in today's show?"

"Of course! If it's you, I can make time in the show! We're very flexible!"

She thought for a moment before nodding. "Alright. I'll sing 'Rebirth', the English version. Instruct the band to play the same way they played it earlier."

"Really?!"

She chuckled again. "Yes. Just give me a moment to warm up my vocal cords."

"Yes, yes. Of course, Iris! You're the best. Boss Iris! You're my Boss Iris from now on."

The assistant director popped up. "Director, it's almost time!"

"Oops, I need to go," the program director said. "I'll send someone to call you backstage when it's time for your performance."

With that, both the program director and assistant director left in a hurry.

Iris and Jin Liwei, along with the rest of their entourage, returned to the dressing room. The TV was still on, playing the show after the commercial break.

The glam team immediately went to work. Someone found an extra outfit for Iris to change into while the makeup artist retouched her makeup. The hairstylist also changed her hairdo a little.

"Are you sure about this, love?" Jin Liwei asked as he handed a bottle of room-temperature water to his wife.

Iris took the water and drank it. "Yes, I'm sure. You know how much I love performing onstage. The audience members are all very lovely. Also, there are Filipino Black Stars present today. This is just a little gift from me to them."

"En, whatever makes you happy." He gave her cheek a quick peck before getting out of the way, so that the glam team could do their jobs preparing her.

It was a good thing that Iris' team was always ready with extra outfits just in case something unexpected like this happened.

She changed into her new outfit and did warm-up vocal exercises at the same time.

Someone knocked on the door.

Dom opened it, and a staff member informed them that Iris was due to head backstage in five minutes.

"So soon?" Jin Liwei asked, frowning.

"It's fine, darling," Iris told him. "I'm ready."

He took her hand and kissed it before once again clasping their hands together. They headed out of the dressing and met with Iris' fellow judges.

"I was supposed to head home early today after 'Call of the Spotlight, ' but I heard that you're going to make a surprise performance today," Albert Alcala said. "I already called my wife, Virginia, and told her that I'll be coming home a bit later today because I want to watch your performance. She's so envious of me."

"Me, too," Dina Bendita said. "My grandchildren also want to see you perform live."

"Thank you, both," Iris told them.

The staff member interrupted them, urging Iris to hurry up.

"You go ahead, Iris," Dina said, waving her hand. "Albert and I will be watching you from the audience."

Another staff member handed Iris a microphone.

One minute countdown.

Jin Liwei kissed his wife on the lips in front of the staff members backstage, not caring at all about their reactions. Of course, Iris didn't care either. They were legally wedded husband and wife, after all. There was nothing wrong with a wedded couple throwing dog food for other people to choke on.

Once her husband and the others left to take their seats in the audience, Iris closed her eyes. The staff members watching her were amazed at the sudden change in her aura.

Iris Long was already very impressive. Her beauty alone was enough to daze people.

Now, however, it was like watching a warrior don his battle armour and march into war. The aura alone made them feel like trembling.

'So this is what a world-class star looks like,' many of them thought.

Master Beauty's voice could be heard backstage as she chatted with the audience.

"I can see some Filipino Black Stars here. Black Stars, let me hear you!"

Loud cheers.

Master Beauty: "Wow! So energetic! And you look so polished in your suits! I love it! Are you happy to see your Boss Iris in the flesh today?"

Black Stars: "Yeah! Happy!"

Master Beauty: "Did she do a good job as judge today in 'Call of the Spotlight'?"

Black Stars: "The best!"

Master Beauty: "Since you're so happy, let me make you even happier! Black Stars, ladies and gentlemen, please help me welcome back on the stage to perform her song, 'Rebirth', the one and only IRIS LONG!!!"

Everyone: "KYAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!"

Iris Long stepped onstage to loud cheers not only from her own fans but also from the entire audience. Her eyes swept the studio and zeroed in on her husband, who returned to his seat. Beside him was Dom and the rest of her entourage.

Her fellow judges, Albert Alcala and Dina Bendita, were also sitting in the audience beside the other younger hosts.

All of the earlier contestants of the singing competition, "Call of the Spotlight", were present in the audience. They must have also heard that she would be performing, so they also decided to stay and watch her.

Iris didn't think about other things. She was in the zone right now. After sending a flying kiss straight to her husband and a few waves to the others, she nodded at the band and closed her eyes.

The music started.

Since she had already heard this cover arrangement earlier when the previous defending champion performed "Rebirth" (English version), she was confident enough in her own skills to match the band's rhythm despite not having prior rehearsals together. She was a pro, after all, and so were the band musicians.

"Caged and chained in a tiny world

Wondering what it's like outside

A little bird imprisoned by love

Dying little by little inside

I want to be free

Free as a bird

But where are my wings

I cannot fly"

Everyone immediately became entranced as soon as she began singing. Remembering how the previous defending champion performed the song earlier immediately made it apparent that Iris Long's performance was on a whole different level.

Her voice was smooth like butter. There were no signs of strain anywhere whatsoever. Her face was relaxed except for her eyes, which showed the deep emotions she was trying to convey in the song.

"I sing a song inside my cage

While shadows destroy my tiny world

Break my bones a thousand times

Go ahead, I will not cry

These red roses smell so sweet

At last, I'm free

Will I ever fly"

This cover arrangement had no classical instruments at all, but the lead guitarist and the keyboardist were all doing a great job in playing the main melody. The other instruments provided support, recreating the original's beautiful harmonies.

Of course, the main star was the vocals.

"From the ashes, I rise like a phoenix

A little bird no more

I spread my wings, so big and wide

Now I am free

Now I can fly

Oh, I can fly up in the sky

While tears flow down my joyful eyes

Up I fly, up I soar

Until I brush against the clouds

I'll stay up here and touch the stars

I'll reach as high that I can"

Iris Long's voice reached notes so high that everyone had goosebumps. The runs she performed were all technically perfect but filled with soul. It was a masterclass of power belting and modulation—all the things that she analyzed in her earlier critique of the previous defending champion's performance.

"Is she for real?" Albert Alcala said, his expression filled with awe. "I've always believed that my wife is the best vocalist in the world, but now—"

"I'll tell Virginia you said that," Dina Bendita said with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"Oh, please no!"

Dina chuckled. "Fine, I'm just kidding. Now let's continue listening. This Iris Long is extraordinary. I don't want to miss even a second of her performance."

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