‘Heated Rivalry’ Stars Speak Out Against Racist and Toxic Fans
The stars of the hit queer hockey drama Heated Rivalry are pushing back against toxic behavior in their fandom after a wave of online harassment targeting members of the cast.
Actors Hudson Williams and François Arnaud posted a joint message on Instagram condemning hateful comments circulating online.
“Don’t call yourself a fan if you share racist/homophobic/biphobic/misogynist/ageist/ableist/parasocial/bigoted comments of any kind.” “None of us need your hateful ‘love.’”
The actors concluded the statement with a blunt message to those engaging in harassment: if fans cannot respect the cast and their relationships, they should “gtfoh (get the f*** out of here).”
Toxic Fandom Grows as the Series Gains Popularity
Heated Rivalry has quickly built a passionate following since its release, thanks to its story about two closeted professional hockey players whose rivalry evolves into a secret relationship.
Williams plays Shane Hollander, while Arnaud portrays Scott Hunter, the two central characters whose relationship forms the emotional core of the series.
But the show’s rapid popularity has also brought a surge of extreme fan behavior online, including harassment, conspiracy theories about cast members’ personal lives, and attempts to control how actors present their identities.
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Hudson Williams Targeted by Racist Harassment
Williams, who has Korean heritage, has reportedly been the target of racist comments and harassment across social media platforms.
Some users have created accounts dedicated solely to criticizing the actor, while others pressured him to publicly reveal details about his sexuality.
Speculation about his personal life escalated further when rumors circulated that he might be dating a woman, leading to additional abuse and even reported death threats.
While discussing online commentary during an appearance on SiriusXM’s Radio Andy, Williams joked that he only respects the opinions of people with a “developed frontal cortex.”
François Arnaud Faces Biphobia and Ageist Attacks
Arnaud, who is openly bisexual, has also faced intense scrutiny from certain fans.
The actor has received waves of biphobic comments and accusations, alongside bizarre claims about his personal relationships. Rumors suggesting he may be dating Heated Rivalry co-star Connor Storrie — who plays Ilya Rozanov - triggered additional online attacks.
Some critics have even labeled Arnaud with derogatory terms or falsely accused him of inappropriate behavior due to their age difference.
In response to the negativity, Arnaud previously said he removed Twitter from his phone, telling Men’s Health he didn’t want to see what people were saying “in that cesspool.”
Cast Stands United Against Harassment
Despite the online drama, both actors emphasized that the cast remains supportive of one another.
Shortly after their statements were posted, some fans incorrectly accused Arnaud of copying Williams’ message.
Williams quickly clarified in the comments that the message was written collaboratively.
“It was François’ idea and I helped write it,” he wrote, adding that he hadn’t even seen the hateful comments because he had been “vibing watching figure skating highlights.”
Arnaud has continued responding to supportive fans on Instagram, reiterating the pair’s message that racism and harassment have no place in the Heated Rivalry fandom.
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