Margaret Cho on Why She Declined a Role in ‘Heated Rivalry’ Due to Concerns Over Trump and ICE
In a recent revelation, comedian and actress Margaret Cho disclosed that she declined a role in the Canadian series Heated Rivalry due to concerns about potential detainment by U.S. immigration authorities.
During an appearance on the podcast I Never Liked You, Cho stated she received a pilot script for a project she was enthusiastic about, but ultimately turned it down because of fears related to the Trump administration and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). “I was so scared because I’m so vocal about hating ICE and hating this administration. I was like, I will get detained at the border and I will be put in ICE detention if I go,” she explained.
Cho expressed her emotional struggle over the decision, noting discussions with others before ultimately saying no to the opportunity. “And I was struggling over it. I had to talk to all of these people about it. And I was super upset about it, and I said no. And it was Heated Rivalry,” she recounted.
Since then, Cho has engaged with the series in a different way, stating, “I’ve watched the show and even hosted some rewatch parties. The pilot was beautiful, and I was like, I want to do this.”
Reflecting on her decision, she added, “It kills me. And it’s all because of Trump.” Cho has also indicated her interest in participating in a future season, mentioning that she has inquired about a potential role in Season 2, teasing, “We’ll see.”
Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams in ‘Heated Rivalry’
