Jordan Firstman from ‘I Love LA’ Shares His Thoughts on the Heated Debate Over Sex Scenes: “It’s Just Not Gay”
Tensions have emerged between HBO’s original series I Love LA and the HBO Max-acquired show Heated Rivalry. The friction centers on contrasting portrayals of gay sex in the two productions.
In a recent interview, Jordan Firstman, who plays the character Charlie in I Love LA, critiqued Heated Rivalry for its depiction of intimate scenes. He suggested that the portrayal lacked authenticity.
During the latest episode of I Love LA, Charlie is seen watching a sex tape he created. A reporter from Vulture noted that this scene felt “legitimately casual,” contrasting with the “posed” sex scenes presented in Heated Rivalry.
Firstman remarked, “Yeah, we’re going for it. It’s gay. I’m sorry, I watched those first two episodes of Heated Rivalry, and it’s just not gay. It’s not how gay people fuck.” He emphasized the importance of genuine representations, recalling that one of his favorite moments in I Love LA reflects a real life experience involving his own camaraderie.
He elaborated, “Me and this guy were obsessed with saying ‘that part’ for a moment and we both came and just instinctively said it and then laughed a lot. That’s gay to me. A straight guy could not write that. They don’t know what the camaraderie of gay sex is. So, yeah, I think I definitely led the charge with that.”
Later in the discussion, Firstman reiterated his views on Heated Rivalry, suggesting that some audiences prefer conventional entertainment: “A lot of people just want entertainment or to see two straight hockey players pretending to be gay and fucking.”
The ongoing conversation around authentic representation has also spurred speculation about the sexuality of actors in Heated Rivalry. Firstman noted, “I am one of those bitches who says, ‘Then say it.’ A gay guy would say it. I don’t respect you because you care too much about your career and what’s going to happen if people think you’re gay.”
I Love LA has been renewed for a second season by HBO, while Heated Rivalry has also received a second season order from Crave, with HBO Max involved in the project.
