Chapter 156 Black Marks on Lumi's Record
Hilda had seen the potential of original music through Lumi's success on LivePulse. Creating a bonafide star, someone who could write their own hits, was far more lucrative than simply hosting a talented singer.
But poaching talent came at a price. Lumi's contract had a hefty penalty clause for early termination. Hilda, however, saw her as a worthwhile investment and didn't hesitate to pay it.
Lumi was a cut above the average singer-songwriter. She had raw talent and a unique voice. That was what Hilda saw in her. He wasn't interested in building just another streaming platform, churning out forgettable entertainers confined to the digital space. He wanted to create stars and artists who could transcend the internet and conquer traditional media.
Lumi, in his eyes, had that star quality.
He'd initially had his eye on someone else, but they hadn't been interested in playing by his rules. Lumi, ambitious and eager to please, had been a more than adequate substitute.
"You have a gift, Lumi," Hilda had said during their first meeting, his voice full of persuasive charm. "And I have the vision to make you a star. A real star, here in Golden Valley."
Lumi was instantly smitten. Who wouldn't be? Fame and fortune were a potent cocktail, and Hilda was a skilled bartender. The promise, coupled with a generous signing bonus, was enough to lure her away from LivePulse.
Indeed, she didn't let Hilda down. Her popularity, while not yet at the level of Seraphina or Angel, was steadily climbing. Hilda was already pulling strings, arranging appearances on television.
"Hilda's got a keen eye, I'll give him that," Skyview said, impressed. "He's positioned Shark Live perfectly. If this Penguin Company deal goes through, he'll be unstoppable."
"He did graduate top of his class at Wharton," Lily pointed out, her tone matter-of-fact.
Skyview chuckled, turning his attention back to Lumi's file. There were two notable black marks on her record.
The first was charging fans to add her on WhatsApp. It wasn't unusual in the industry.
'Why would a popular streamer, especially a female one, allow just anyone into their inner circle without some kind of tribute?' Skyview questioned himself.
In his eyes, even without millions of followers, a popular streamer could easily have hundreds of thousands of active fans. Managing that kind of volume on a personal level was impossible. A paywall was a necessary evil.
Besides, it was an additional revenue stream. In a society obsessed with wealth and status, everything and everyone had a price tag. Streamers, idols, celebrities – they were all products on a shelf, carefully packaged and labeled.
The mistake Lumi had made was making it public. It reeked of greed, leaving a bad taste in people's mouths. Her popularity had taken a hit, and the number of her detractors had multiplied.
As an idol, the image was everything. Some truths were better left unspoken. Lumi's misstep had exposed a less palatable side of the industry.
The second issue was far more serious. As a music streamer, covering songs was par for the course. But Lumi, in a moment of incredible stupidity, had chosen to cover the national anthem. And not just cover it, but alter it.
The national anthem was sacrosanct. Tampering with it, especially in light of recent legislation aimed at protecting it, was a grave offense. The potential fallout was significant.
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