[Chapter 46: The King of Country Music]
Ralph Lauren held a particular place in America. It was one of the better-performing American homegrown brands, with a low-key, old-money vibe. Its style leaned heavily into the Western film stereotypes of early 20th century.
Take it to Europe, and those guys wouldn't even recognize it as a luxury brand. But in the U.S., it was widely accepted as one -- just not at the very top tier. Still, it ranked above many other fashion labels, except maybe the higher-end Calvin Klein Collection line.
A brand of this level previously had Sylvester Stallone as their endorser. Their contract with Stallone expired last year, and they didn't renew it. But now, they wanted to sign Orlando, who represented a very different style, as their new face.
Not only Orlando couldn't figure it out, even Frank, the seasoned star manager with vast experience, was baffled. Yet the contract was real and very lucrative.
Landing this endorsement deal would definitely boost Orlando's stature as a spokesperson. After all, he was still very young and had risen to fame so suddenly that he lacked depth and solid foundations. The truly elite endorsements weren't ready to approach him yet.
Ralph Lauren, though, was a very good choice.
---
Orlando called over Seymour, and the three of them -- the big three -- held a small meeting to think it over.
"We can sign!"
Seymour smiled and said, "Maybe we can ask for a slightly higher fee, but that'll require your cooperation, Orlando."
"How so?"
"At first, our promotion of Old Town Road gave you a pretty bad rep among the country music community and its fans."
Orlando nodded; he remembered how when Old Town Road first came out, country music purists tore it apart note by note.
But the song really proved itself: sales shot through the roof, nearing 7 million copies in just over three months. The diamond record honor was practically guaranteed.
Meanwhile, with Orlando's rising fame and heading straight for next year's Grammy for Best New Artist, the "everyone's a good guy" principle began to take hold in the country scene.
Some younger or more open-minded country singers, songwriters, and producers started saying nice things about Old Town Road.
Because the song had positioned itself as country music from the very start, as long as it got accepted, it would be counted as part of country music's legacy -- and a diamond record would soon be added to the genre's achievements.
Interestingly, many older white male country fans cared more deeply about this kind of honor than Black or other minority groups did.
"The turning point really came at MJ's celebration show at the Neverland," Seymour chuckled. "Counting Stars and Peter Pan Was Right truly proved your talent."
"That's right!" Frank joined in with a smile. "Just two days ago, Kris Kristofferson even said in Country Weekly that you were just born in the wrong place. If you hadn't been born in New York but somewhere in the countryside, your talent would have blossomed in the country music scene."
Kris Kristofferson was a pillar of American country music.
But--
"I remember, Frank, you mentioned Kristofferson only said that because Warner signed him for his next three singles or albums, right?"
Frank grinned slyly, "Don't worry about that. All you need to know is that a Godfather-level figure in country music praised you."
The three of them burst out laughing.
"Back to the point," Seymour said after the laughter, "I mentioned we might be able to push the fee higher by having you write a truly good, pure country song. No mashups -- just straightforward country music, something that really hits the heart of those country folks."
Thinking on it, Frank nodded, "Ralph Lauren's audience overlaps heavily with country music fans. If you can have a popular country track on your album or even release a new single that catches on, then Seymour's suggestion makes perfect sense."
He held up five fingers, "If single sales surpass 5 million, I'd be confident to ask for a 50% increase in the endorsement fee. And if you manage a diamond record, we could negotiate a 100% increase."
Orlando looked at the two veterans with expressions that said they believed he could definitely pull it off given his talent.
He thought privately, 'They're treating me like the music industry's version of a magical Doraemon!'
But he knew himself well. If he wanted to deliver something truly great, he'd need a real epiphany.
So he hesitated and said vaguely, "I'll try. I'll find some time soon to go out, get some inspiration, see if I can come up with something."
That got Seymour and Frank excited.
Both knew well that whenever Orlando went out for some fresh air or experiences, new inspiration struck immediately.
A dinner with his wealthy older lover gave birth to Just the Way You Are.
Stargazing with Madonna inspired Counting Stars.
A trip back to his old home birthed See You Again.
Visiting Jackson's Neverland Ranch led to Peter Pan Was Right.
After even mild racial discrimination, within half an hour, Killing in the Name emerged.
If they let him go to Texas or Wyoming or Montana to experience country farm or ranch life for a few months, he might just become the king of country music.
"Texas isn't really suitable anymore; it's developing fast and becoming less rural."
"Then Montana or Colorado! Let's do Colorado -- I know a ranch owner there..." Frank and Seymour eagerly continued discussing.
Orlando rolled his eyes, knowing they were just joking.
If he ever truly went crazy and decided to spend a few months in the countryside, these two would definitely do everything they could to keep him here.
At this crucial rising moment, with his heat and star power peaking, it was key to boost his commercial value and fame.
So for now, he'd just play along. There was no way they'd let him vanish from the public eye for months on end.
*****
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