‘Heated Rivalry’ Cast Addresses Online Hate: Why True Fans Should Speak Out Against Bigotry
Stars of the series Heated Rivalry are addressing the issues of online hate and intolerance within fandoms.
Co-stars Hudson Williams, François Arnaud, and Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova issued statements on their social media channels, condemning bigoted remarks from self-identified fans and urging for more respectful interactions.
“Don’t call yourself a fan if you share racist/homophobic/biphobic/misogynistic/ageist/ableist/parasocial/bigoted comments of any kind,” the statement warned. “None of us need your hateful ‘love.’”
Additional cast member Robbie G.K., along with show creator Jacob Tierney and author Rachel Reid, echoed this message by sharing Williams’ post.
The statement added, “We all respect and support and love each other and are on the same side. If you can’t accept that, gtfoh.”
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Kharlamova further elaborated in her Instagram Story: “Please don’t make a show that’s about love be hateful online. So much love was poured into this project, and we genuinely have so much respect for everyone involved. We’re not characters, and neither are our real friends, partners, and family. Making up false narratives about us isn’t ‘love.’ So much good has come from this show, so let’s keep that going! Share the love, the art, the dance parties, the friends made, the positivity!!”
The hockey romance series, inspired by Reid’s bestselling novels, has rapidly elevated its relatively new stars, Williams and Connor Storrie, to fame, featuring them on magazine covers and securing partnerships with luxury brands. Storrie even hosted an episode of Saturday Night Live, with Williams making a guest appearance.
As the drama, which streams on Crave Canada/HBO Max, garners significant online and offline attention, it has also attracted negative commentary from certain internet users. These individuals have attempted to pit the series’ leading actors against each other, displaying racism towards Williams, who is of Korean descent; anti-gay rhetoric towards Arnaud, who identifies as bisexual; and engaging in the relentless parasocial behavior characteristic of modern celebrity culture.
“Mass psychosis does seem like the only word for it,” Reid stated in a recent podcast, referring to the overwhelming reactions to the show.
Similar concerns have been raised by networks overseeing other popular series with large fanbases. For instance, Prime Video recently issued a statement addressing toxic fandom behavior amid the third season release of The Summer I Turned Pretty, while Peacock’s Love Island USA has encouraged viewers to “please just remember they’re real people — so let’s be kind and spread the love!”
