Chapter 3
three
. . .
BLAIR
On my ride to Everest Studios, I scroll through pics and interviews with Sophia to make sure I know all I can about her. I know she makes her living pretending to be someone she’s not, but she looks incredibly happy and well adjusted for someone who started in this town at such a young age.
She’s already won an Oscar—she’s incredibly talented—and her movie won Best Picture because audiences want—no, crave—movies that push you to think and feel. Women make you think and feel. Just as much as any man can.
The unwritten rules in Hollywood are so deeply embedded that it’s hard to break the carefully crafted mold, especially if you are a woman. But I continue to watch the trends in our industry, and the old guard is acutely unaware of the power a woman-led, woman-produced, or woman-directed story can have on a box office or ratings. Just tuck it into the “consistently underrated” file.
I've witnessed Reese Witherspoon build a lucrative empire by elevating women's stories. I'm in awe of her ability to consistently prove the value of women in front of and behind the camera, often amplifying diverse voices. She's inspired a dream of mine to open my own talent agency focused on representing marginalized talent, primarily women.
I take one more look at my file on Sophia. I’ve done my homework, and I know in my heart she is of like mind in this space. As I step into her makeup trailer, I see a tall, dark, and handsome man with his fingers smudging gloss across Sophia’s lips.
Holy hotness.
“Hello, gorgeous,” a young Ricky Martin look-a-like says to me. “Welcome. Come on in.”
“Am I interrupting?” I ask. “I can wait outside.”
I didn’t mean to interrupt an intimate moment between Sophia and whoever this handsome stranger is. Go, Sophia! I didn’t realize she was dating anyone.
Sophia turns in her chair. “Blair?”
“Yes, that’s me!”
“I’m so excited to meet you! Brandon, this is the agent I was just telling you about.”
I’m immediately nervous. I shouldn’t be. I’ve closed deals with some of the biggest stars out there.
“I think I’m more excited to meet you!” I confess. “I hate to admit it, but I’m a little nervous!”
“Ha, nervous. Nobody’s ever been nervous around a five-foot-nothing woman in Hollywood.”
I laugh at the joke, even though it’s laced with so much truth.
She’s flawless in real life. And tiny. Her dark hair forces you to notice her ice-blue eyes. The same eyes as Wyatt, although that seems to be the only similar feature.
“Hi, Blair. I’m Brandon. And you’re not interrupting.”
“Oh, no, not at all,” Sophia says. “Brandon is a stunt actor and doing a few scenes with me today. He’s one of my best friends. We met when I started in the business. He has a problem with personal space and filters, so please excuse him in advance.”
“Nice to meet you, Brandon.” I reach out to shake his hand, and just as Sophia warned, he knocks it away and comes in for a big bear hug.
“Here, take my seat,” he says.
As I settle, Sophia immediately makes me feel welcome and comfortable. She asks me questions about myself and what it’s like to work for TWA. I tell her a little about my client list and projects, and I tease a few that I know are coming. I keep it strictly professional but feel a little guilty that I don’t even mention that I know her brother. Wyatt has nothing to do with this, though, and I don’t want to win—or lose—this opportunity based on a past connection with him. I decide right then to keep the past where it belongs. I’ll wait until I’ve established credibility on my own and there’s a better time to bring it up casually.
She admits that her agent is retiring and she is looking for new representation. I listen as she gets right into it.
“I want to parlay this Oscar win into more meaty roles. I want to Kate Winslet the shiitake out of my career.”
I smile at her use of the word shiitake. I’ve heard she doesn’t swear. Years of kids’ programming will likely do that to you.
“I hear you have a reputation for finding powerful roles for women,” she says.
I beam at the compliment while flinching on the inside. I can find her great roles. I can find her roles that women have written and women are directing. My concern is that Lance will try to leverage her star power for traditional and male-led blockbuster opportunities. Not that she shouldn’t do that. It’s just getting harder to influence him these days.
“I know I’m still considered new in this business,” Sophia continues, “but I’ve been here for years, and I’m ready to move into more than just acting. I want to produce and eventually direct.”
I nod as she talks. This is fairly normal for actors.
“I was so lucky to have Edna as an agent. She took me in and treated me like family. I trust her more than my family sometimes!”
I should confess right now that I know her brother.
“Edna is amazing,” I say. “One of the real people in Hollywood. She’s been a mentor and role model for me as well. And I completely get it. I’m tired of watching the seventh sequel to another action franchise or another remake of a nineties hit when there are so many fresh stories and storytellers out there. And so many of them are women.”
“That’s why I was dying to meet you.” She turns back to me and takes my hands in hers.
“Ok, ladies. I’m due on set.” Brandon looks up from his phone. “I’ll let you two talk about your plans for women to take over the world, and I’ll see you after lunch,” he tells Sophia as he leans in to kiss her cheek.
“Don’t be a hater, Brandon!” Sophia teases with a playful slap on his arm.
“You know I’m not. My sisters made sure of that. I grew up and live in a world ruled by women. It’s been a fantastic life!” He winks as he heads toward the exit.
Right as he opens the door, I hear a voice I’ll never forget call out, “Who’s hungry?”
I turn and see the gorgeous man I’ve been stalking on the internet in the name of research. I freeze. I must look like a deer in headlights. I watch as Wyatt Bradford steps inside the room with that charming smile and slight dimple on his left cheek, completely oblivious to what he’s just walked into.
He scans the room, and the moment his gaze lands on me, recognition erupts on his face. “Blair?”
I look back at Sophia and can see the look of surprise and confusion on her face.
“You know Wyatt?” Sophia says.
Yes, Sophia. Yes. I know him better than I’d like to admit.