Chapter 95: LA show V
The camera panned across the crowd as Ethan moved into the next phase of his set, the pulsing beats of Blinding Lights reverberating through the arena. It wasn't just the general audience losing themselves in the moment; the VIP section was buzzing with star power, each celebrity adding their unique energy to the electric atmosphere.
Paul Pogba, the dynamic footballer known for his flair both on and off the pitch, was seated near the front of the VIP area. Dressed in a crisp white suit with matching sneakers, he stood up, his tall frame towering over the others as he vibed to the rhythm. He threw his hands in the air, his broad grin infectious as he encouraged the crowd around him to join in. Occasionally, Pogba leaned toward his friend, pointing at Ethan and nodding as if to say, This guy's got it!
Nearby, Zendaya was impossible to miss. Dressed in a chic black jumpsuit, her natural curls bouncing as she swayed to the music, she danced effortlessly with her agent. Her moves were fluid, each beat of the song guiding her motion as she mouthed the lyrics. Her face lit up with pure joy as Ethan transitioned seamlessly into Riptide, the soothing chords prompting her to laugh and twirl playfully. Even her agent, typically reserved, couldn't resist clapping along.
Behind her, the female cast of Euphoria was just as enthralled. Alexa Demie, Sydney Sweeney, and Hunter Schafer were singing along to Demons, their voices blending with the crowd's. Hunter leaned forward, snapping a quick video for her social media, capturing Ethan on stage as his voice soared:
🎵 "Don't get too close, it's dark inside
It's where my demons hide, it's where my demons hide..." 🎵
"Iconic," Alexa said, grinning as she shared the clip with Sydney, who nodded in agreement.
Over on the opposite side of the VIP area, Addison Rae had her phone out, live-streaming the concert for her millions of followers. Her voice could be heard over the feed, practically screaming, "You guys! This has to be the best show ever! Look at this!" She angled the camera toward Ethan as he belted out the chorus of Young Dumb and Broke , her fans flooding the comments with heart emojis and declarations of FOMO. Addison occasionally flipped the camera to herself, her face glowing with excitement as she sang along.
In the middle of the section sat Bad Bunny, his gold chains glinting under the flashing lights. Though he was mostly composed, his eyes were locked on Ethan, his head bobbing in time with the beat. When Ethan hit an especially soulful note during Riptide, Bad Bunny leaned toward his manager and whispered, "I need to get a song with this guy." His manager simply nodded, taking mental notes as Bunny's eyes followed Ethan's every move.
Selena Gomez, sitting a few seats away, had a more complicated reaction. She had been hesitant about attending the concert but had been swayed by friends who insisted Ethan was the next big thing. As she watched him perform, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of familiarity that unsettled her. Ethan's stage presence—the confidence, the slightly cocky grin, the way he leaned into the mic—reminded her too much of her ex, Justin Bieber. But then there were his songs, rich with emotion and versatility, pulling her back in. She found herself humming along to Blinding Lights, her foot tapping to the beat despite her reservations.
As the set continued, Selena turned to her friend and admitted, "He's good. Really good. Just... I don't know. Something about him throws me off." Her friend, clearly enraptured by the performance, just waved her off.
The VIP section was alive with activity. Social media influencers, actors, athletes, and musicians shared videos, selfies, and candid reactions as Ethan delivered one show-stopping performance after another. The energy was contagious, spilling over into the general crowd and amplifying the atmosphere even further.
Ethan ended Young Dumb and Broke with a playful twirl, flashing a cheeky smile at the audience. He pointed toward the VIP section, giving a subtle nod to the celebrities, which only made them cheer louder. The stars were not just watching—they were part of the show, their reactions adding another layer to the magic unfolding on stage.
As the lights dimmed momentarily, signaling the end of the current set, the entire VIP section erupted into applause. Paul Pogba was on his feet, clapping enthusiastically, while Zendaya and her agent exchanged a knowing smile, their expressions glowing with approval. Bad Bunny was already jotting down notes in his phone, and Addison Rae was shouting into her live stream, "Did you see that? I can't believe I'm here right now!"
Behind the stage, Jessica and Bill exchanged glances, both silently acknowledging the magnitude of what they were witnessing. Ethan wasn't just a rising star anymore—he was a phenomenon.