Domination in America, Starting from being a Boxing Champion-Chapter 349 - 307: Ariana

Link checked the album sales of other singers from the same period.

The pre-war goddess’s new album "Need You Now" sold 2.43 million copies in the United States, ranking second among albums released in 2010.

Justin Bieber’s "My World 2.0" sold 1.86 million copies, ranking third.

Kesha’s new album "Animal" sold 920,000 copies, ranking fourth.

Usher’s "Raymond vs. Raymond" sold 900,000 copies in the United States, ranking fifth.

Wiz Khalifa’s "Deal Or No Deal" sold 880,000 copies, ranking sixth.

Lady Gaga and Drake’s new albums also quickly approached Wiz Khalifa’s sales, expected to surpass him next week.

There was also good news this week.

Eight months after its release in the United States, Lana Del Rey’s debut album "Young and Beautiful" sold over one million copies, becoming a true platinum record, with a global total of 3.26 million copies.

The debut album performed very well.

Bruno Mars’s debut album "It’s Better If You Don’t Understand" reached 920,000 copies in the United States and was expected to break the platinum barrier in October.

Selena’s debut album "Come and Get It" had a cumulative sales of 940,000 copies in the United States and was also expected to reach platinum by the end of the year.

But besides the good news, Link also saw some bad news from newspapers and magazines.

Firstly, his reputation was spoiled.

Before the private video was exposed, he was considered the most perfect man in the Euro-American music scene, a white lotus who had emerged unscathed from mud, "the cleanest and healthiest male star in show business," "the highest quality teen idol."

After the exposure of the private video, his breakup with Taylor, staying overnight with supermodel Du Chen Klos, and dating Marion Cotillard, Emma Watson, Jennifer Lawrence, and other incidents, the media gradually tarnished his reputation.

Western media called him a playboy, ’depraved Link,’ a big player in the entertainment industry.

Now, if he spoke a word to a female star, the media assumed he had an ambiguous relationship with her.

Link argued that wasn’t true, that he was innocent.

The media simply didn’t believe him.

After being branded a ’scumbag,’ decent girls in the entertainment industry began to guard against him.

For example, Christine, once when Link jokingly asked her over the phone if she wanted to be his girlfriend, Christine outright refused, saying she didn’t want to date a scumbag.

Then there was Emma Roberts, who said she had been warned by her parents and aunt to stay away from him.

Meanwhile, the less decent girls in the entertainment circle were actively drawing closer to him.

Amanda Seyfried, Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton, and others often called to bother him, sending strange photos, asking him to comment on which set of lingerie was sexier.

This situation left Link somewhat helpless; as a decent person, he preferred making friends with good girls, but now that his reputation was ruined by the media, it wasn’t easy to find a good girl for a girlfriend.

Knock, knock, knock!

"Link, everyone wants to hear you sing, why don’t you come out and sing a song?"

James pushed open the door and came in to ask.

"There are too many reporters, it’s not very convenient."

"Don’t worry, we’ll block those reporters."

Daniel and Reggie also squeezed in and said.

Link thought for a moment, going out to sing a song seemed like a good idea.

Outside, there were thousands of people, all his fans or potential fans singing here was a way to pamper them, and if reported by the media, it would also be a positive news story.

Since being plagued by scandals, he also needed some positive press to reshape his public image.

Link agreed, stood up, took down the guitar from the wall, but suddenly remembered it was a guitar given by Taylor and felt uncomfortable again— if only he hadn’t broken up with Taylor...

"Link! Link! Link!"

As he slung the guitar and stood at the doorway, over a thousand beachgoers shouted loudly, with dozens of paparazzi outside the crowd taking photos.

Link waved his hand, slung his guitar, plugged into the sound system, and walked into the crowd, surrounded by Wallace, James, Reggie, and others on the beach pier, where he sang three songs.

The first song, "Despacito," a must-play song on Miami Beach since Link performed it in 2008, quickly became the best-selling, hottest dance song in Miami, heard throughout the streets and alleys of the city.

The second song was "Girls Like You," originally released by American pop band Maroon 5 in 2018. After its release in March, it remained at the top of the Billboard singles chart for three consecutive weeks and reached number one in twelve countries including Britain, Belgium, and Australia.

The third song, "Here With You," was another upbeat track considered the joyful version of "Young And Beautiful" and topped the Billboard singles chart in its first week of May.

It was also the third number one single from the album "The Woman I Love."

Some fans wanted him to sing "Legends Never Die" and "Give Me Reason."

Link naturally refused, as singing such songs was too straining on his voice, and he only performed them at concerts with more than fifty thousand attendees.

To all my friends

"The night is young,"

"The music’s loud,"

"They play our song,"

As Link danced through the crowd while singing with his guitar, a large group of fans drove over from afar. Within half an hour, the beachside road was filled with cars.

The Palm Beach County Police had to send officers to direct traffic and maintain order at the scene.

"Frankie, hurry up!"

On the beachside road, a petite girl with a long ponytail jumped out of the car, looking excitedly at the bustling crowd and Link singing in the middle of it, exclaimed, "It’s true, Link is really here!"

"Ellie, slow down, don’t run so fast, and you forgot your album."

Frankie Grande stopped the car, seeing his sister hurriedly run down, he had no choice but to pick up the album and catch up from behind.

The Grande siblings, also from Miami, had heard online that Link was throwing a beach party and immediately drove over, although they arrived a bit late. There were too many people on the beach, ten layers deep, and they could only stand on the outskirts, watching Link sing from a distance.

Though Ariana was petite, even standing on her tiptoes at the edge of the crowd, she could only see a little bit. She glanced around, took the album from her brother’s hand, and squeezed through the crowd, calling out, "Excuse me, could you please move a bit?"

She sweated profusely and after much effort, she finally made it to the front row, but the concert was over.

Everyone was applauding and cheering.

Link Baker waved his hand in thanks to everyone and prepared to leave.

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"Link, could I get an autograph?"

Ariana rushed forward with the album, but before she reached Link, she was accidentally knocked down by a spectator. She fell face first, her hands and face covered in sand, and her album case was stepped on.

"Hey! Clear out, someone has fallen here, don’t step on her."

Before Ariana could get up, she was gently lifted by a pair of strong, capable hands; she even caught a whiff of a pleasant scent.

"Are you alright?"

Hearing the man in front of her, Ariana blinked in surprise and saw a handsome face before her, deep and bright eyes, a high and straight nose, and beautifully curved lips that hooked into a humble, gentle smile.

It was Link.

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Seeing Link Baker so close, Ariana couldn’t help but feel her heart pound uncontrollably. She had a lot she wanted to say to him, but she couldn’t find the words at that moment.

"Can you move your legs and feet, see if you’re hurt?"

Hearing Link’s words, Ariana moved her legs and feet in a daze, and everything seemed fine.

"You’re a fan of mine?"

Link asked as he picked up the album from the ground.

"Yes, Mr. Baker, my name is Ariana Grande, I really love your songs,"

Ariana said excitedly.

She too was from Miami, Florida. At the age of 17, being from a well-off family and personally loving music, she began performing onstage around the age of seven or eight. When she was around fourteen or fifteen, she moved to New York to pursue a career on Broadway and even played a significant role in the musical "13."

When Link released his album in March, she attended a performance in New York. Due to her busy schedule, she was a day late to buy Link’s album and found it sold out. The store owner lent her the album to listen to, and she didn’t manage to buy it until three days later.

She loved the songs on the album and admired Link greatly.

Today, when she saw the news about Link in Miami online, she immediately ran to Palm Beach to meet him.

"Ariana Grande... Miss?"

As Link was about to sign the autograph, he was surprised to hear the name. The moment he saw her, he thought she resembled Ariana Grande. Hearing her name confirmed his thought. It was indeed the up-and-coming pop princess, Ariana Grande, although she appeared younger and more sweet-faced, with some baby fat still visible.

"Yes, Ariana Grande!"

Ariana spelled out her name again.

Link smiled gently and signed the album cover with, ’To Miss Grande, who fell on the sand – Link Baker.’

Ariana couldn’t help but smile as well.

"Mr. Baker, I also love to sing, and my dream is to become a singer."

"Really? How about singing a song right here?"

Link handed her the album and suggested.

"Right here?"

Ariana exclaimed in surprise.

"Yes! Let me hear how you sing."

Encouraged by Link, Ariana took the guitar, went onto the pier, and sang Link’s "Unstoppable."

The song was in a high key, challenging for any singer, but Ariana sang beautifully, employing traditional vocal techniques and a Broadway style that ranged from sweet to powerful, giving the song a unique flair.

After she finished, Link clapped his hands; indeed, she had the potential of a future pop diva, her skills were truly strong.

The surrounding audience also applauded and cheered, with many shouting for one more song.

Ariana then performed "Everything You Need," which elicited the same enthusiastic response from the crowd.

After the performance, Link told Ariana that she had great vocal skills and an impressive ability to perform. If she was serious about a singing career, she could try out for Link Music, and he handed her a business card.

Ariana excitedly agreed.

Link was considered a golden touch in the music industry; any singer he spotted was guaranteed platinum potential.

Having his recognition meant the world to someone dreaming of becoming a singer—it was the highest praise and the greatest encouragement.

Ariana looked at Link almost adoringly.

"Hey, Ari, how did Link end up having you sing?"

Ariana’s brother Frankie came over from the crowd, looking at Link’s figure in surprise.

"Obviously because I sing amazingly well."

Ariana kissed Link’s business card and carefully tucked it into her wallet.

"Ari, I think you should be careful, Link is a playboy."

Frankie cautioned.

Ariana gave him a look, "Link is my idol, just like you guys admire Nicole Kidman and Anne Hathaway. If they praised your acting and gave you a business card, asking you to join their company, would you be cautious around them?"

"I would!"

Frankie said without hesitation.

Ariana rolled her eyes, then remembered her brother wasn’t interested in girls.

’Cause girls like you

Run around with guys like me

Til sundown when I come through

I need a girl like you