Chapter 1669: Tonight with Girl Abante (Part III)

Girl Abante nodded. "Yes, I’m talking about the Slippers Army. The Black Stars Philippines have copied from your original fan club and formed its own subgroup to create its own Filipino Slippers Army. According to my team’s research, the Filipino Slippers Army have made a name among your collective international fans as one of the fiercest groups when it comes to defending your name on the web."

Iris Long kept silent. Deep inside, she was proud of the Filipino Slippers Army, but she didn’t let it show on her face. She continued looking at Girl Abante straight in the eyes. She waited for the other woman to continue speaking, despite already having an idea of what kind of direction Girl wanted to take this interview.

It was so obvious.

A show needed ratings. And what was the easiest way to get ratings?

Controversy.

If there was no controversy, then find one. If there wasn’t anything, then create one.

Girl: "I’ve been in showbiz for decades. Mostly, I stay behind the scenes, so I can confidently say that I’m one of the most trusted insiders in the domestic industry. Although there might be some differences between the showbiz industries in our countries, I reckon that they should be more or less the same, especially when it comes to how things are generally run. I’m one of those people who think that celebrities should take responsibility for the overall behaviour and attitude of their fan clubs. If their fans start acting unruly, then the celebrities should at least try to control and discipline them. Don’t you think so?"

Iris narrowed her eyes. The pleasant smile on her face turned half a degree colder. Her voice, however, remained calm as she replied, "My fans, the Black Stars, are rated as one of the most organized and disciplined fan clubs among celebrities in my country. The founders of my fan clubs in other countries follow suit. Even my brother-in-law, Jin Chonglin, with his army of fans, often feels envious of how disciplined the Black Stars are. So yes, I do agree with you that when my fans are starting to act unruly, then I, as the celebrity that they’re following, have to take action not to condone any wrongful behaviour on their part."

Girl nodded, but her already sharp eyes became even sharper. She was like a vulture circling around her desperate, dying prey, and waiting for the right moment to pounce and feast.

She continued pressing, hoping to get a more extreme reaction from Iris. "The Slippers Army—I’m not just talking about the Filipino ones, but the collective Slippers Army of every international division of your fan club—have become so notorious online that they have been called bullies—"

"I need to stop you right there," Iris interrupted. There was no longer any smile on her face.

Girl felt excited.

Was this the outburst that she had been waiting for?

Unfortunately, Iris had to disappoint her.

Iris remained calm. "My fans, the Black Stars, and their specialized group, the Slippers Army, are NOT bullies. You can’t just throw that word carelessly. A bully is someone who intimidates and harms those whom he thinks are weak and helpless to feel better about himself. My fans are NOT like that."

Girl didn’t give up. She continued pressing, "There have been numerous reports of the Slippers Army mobbing netizens on social media. If the netizens fight back, the hackers among the Slippers Army dig out something shameful from their background history and expose it online, causing the netizens’ so-called social death. They become too embarrassed to go outside. Some even become clinically depressed. Are you aware of all this?"

Iris: "Yes."

Girl: "You’re aware of all this, but still don’t think that your fans are bullies? Do you think that your fans’ behaviour is a reflection of who you are, not only as a celebrity but as a person?"

Instead of answering her, Iris looked behind the cameras. "Calm down, darling. I’m okay."

Jin Liwei immediately stopped walking. He was already halfway to the front, ready to take his wife out of this insolent show. He had thought that this show was a respectable one, but it turned out that it was no different from a controversy-hungry tabloid circus.

He looked at his wife. Determination burned in her eyes. She was raring to go.

In the end, he could only sigh and let her take the battlefield by herself. All he could do was watch over her, offering her silent support and assurance that he would intervene if she couldn’t handle it anymore.

He crossed his arms over his chest because if he didn’t, he might lose control. Despite his irritation at Girl Abante and her blasted show, he trusted his wife.

Just this?

His wife could handle it. And she would handle it. No problem.

"This is too much!" Dom wasn’t in any better mood. His figurative hackles all bristled. He would have already pounced on Girl Abante if his Boss Iris hadn’t stopped his Sir Boss. Since his Sir Boss wasn’t taking any action, Dom could only swallow his anger and seethe like a constipated lion.

He had been a fan of this talk show before, especially of the stern on the outside, warm on the inside Girl Abante. But now, he thought that she was as insufferable as the paparazzi and tabloid reporters who frequently targeted his Boss Iris.

The members of the glam team were also fuming. They glared at the program staff who pretended that everything was alright.

Jiang Ying Yue and her colleagues, the other bodyguards, looked stoic as always, but their expressions had become a few degrees colder. They were waiting for their bosses’ signal. Once a signal was given, they would immediately escort them out without any ceremony.

Iris could sense that, aside from her husband, Dom and the others were also close to losing their tempers. She glanced at them, giving them a meaningful look.

This look reassured them, though they still remained on high alert.

In an instant, the atmosphere inside the studio had become tense.

The program staff looked at each other in dismay. Their show wasn’t just a simple talk show. If there was an opportunity, they would bite on a controversy and refuse to let go.

This was Girl Abante’s true style.

Through Girl Abante’s extensive connections and influence in the industry, there were very few celebrities in the country who turned down her invitation to guest on the show. There were many instances in the past when the celebrities wanted to walk out but couldn’t because of their fear of Girl Abante’s power.

As one of the most influential producers in the industry, what if she spread the word to other producers and directors that they were difficult to work with? If nobody hired them, then their careers would be over.

The show, "Tonight with Girl Abante", was instrumental in helping craft an image of a stern-faced but kind mother figure for her. So even if some celebrities grumbled about her forceful style, most of the public would only say that those celebrities had thin skin.

Girl Abante’s successful, well-crafted image ended up protecting her reputation to the public.

The program staff had experienced many tense situations in the past, but today was on another level.

It was outright suffocating.

To be honest, the plan today wasn’t a unanimous decision. The staff members were split into two camps.

Some preferred a normal, vanilla interview. No controversies. Just pure, delightful, polite interview.

Then the other camp consisted of people who wanted more drama.

In the end, the final decision fell on Girl Abante herself. She agreed with the camp that wanted more drama.

She had told them, "So what if Iris Long’s husband is a billionaire? They have no influence here in our country. If Iris Long and her husband dare to put on an attitude in my show, then I dare to present them as tone-deaf spoiled brats who don’t know how to live in the real world. I can also escalate it as foreigners who look down on us, Filipinos. Let’s see if they can step again on Philippine soil again."

One of the staff members had said, "But her best friend is a Filipino. I don’t think that narrative will work well."

Girl Abante had scoffed at that. "Do you really believe that she’s best friends with her Filipino assistant? It’s just all for show, I’m telling you. That’s why you’re still too naïve. I’ve been in showbiz for a long time. I’ve seen so many things—filthy things—that you won’t believe are real even if I tell you. All people working in showbiz are fake. If we could get a reaction out of someone like Iris Long, then it’s a win for us. We won’t just be the talk of the town. We’ll be the talk of the county. No, the talk of the world! Bad publicity is still publicity after all."

Back to the present, Girl still believed that she was right. When she looked at Iris, however, she was surprised. Gone was the coldness. Instead, there was a half-smirk on her lips. Her eyes also danced with amusement.

What was this?

Instead of panicking, Iris Long was amused.

Girl mentally shook her head. Perhaps it was just her imagination.

Iris Long was indeed amused. It had been a long time since someone dared to directly attempt to trip her up.

Finally, she answered the middle-aged woman’s question.

"Before you accuse my fans of being bullies, your staff should research why they acted that way. Those netizens made malicious allegations about me, intending to destroy my reputation. My fans are only protecting me. If someone made malicious allegations about you that are untrue, I’m sure that your family and friends will protect you. It’s the same thing with me and my fans. Am I not entitled to protection from such malice? Or are you one of those people who believe that celebrities renounce their rights upon stepping into the limelight?"

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