“Is there only one way”: Heated Rivalry actors react to Jordan Firstman’s claims about the intimate scenes in the HBO sports drama

Jordan Firstman has stirred up a messy but necessary conversation around Heated Rivalry after questioning whether the HBO sports drama’s intimate scenes reflect real queer desire or a version shaped for the camera. Stars of the show Hudson Williams and François Arnaud are now responding to Firstman's comment, addressing the conversation that is heating up on social media about queer intimacy on camera and how Heated Rivalry shows that.

In an interview with Vulture, the I Love LA star called out the show's display of intimacy between the two main characters and stated,

"I watched those first two episodes of Heated Rivalry and it’s just not gay. It’s not how gay people f**k. There’s so few things that actually show gay s*x. I go to art to be confronted and to think, but a lot of people just want entertainment or to see two straight hockey players pretending to be gay and f**king."

Arnaud, who plays Scott Hunter on the show commented under a post talking about Firstman's statement, where he wrote,

"Is there only one way to have “authentic” gay s*x on tv? Should the s*x that closeted hockey players have look like the s*x that sceney LA gay guys have?"

On the other hand, Hudson Williams, who plays Shane Hollander played a more supportive part as he shared Arnaud's comment on his story and wrote,

“But truly go watch I Love LA! Jordan and the cast are great!!”

On I Love LA, Firstman plays the role of Charlie Cohen, a celebrity stylist in West Hollywood. He has opened up about his character being queer on the show, and how he explored Cohen's arc, comparing it to Heated Rivalry's premise.

More details about Heated Rivalry

Heated Rivalry arrived as a slick, emotionally and passionately charged Canadian drama coming from Jacob Tierney. The show adapts Rachel Reid's beloved Game Changers novel, starring Hudson Williams, Connor Storrie, and François Arnaud, the show centers on two elite hockey players whose public animosity masks a private, long-running affair.

The show tracks Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, two ice hockey players from opposite teams who's rivalry dominates the headlines and the sports world. But off the field, they both are in a secret relationship that stretches across years, championships and continents.

Ever since it's premiere, the show has already created buzz everywhere, particularly because of it's premise and it's depiction of romance on the hockey field. Before the first season concluded, the show has already been renewed for a second season, procing it's popularity with the audience who want more of Shane and Ilya.

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Heated Rivalry is available to stream on HBO Max and Crave,

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