The stars of the hit HBO Max show “Heated Rivalry”, Hudson Williams and François Arnaud, have come together to address the issue of hateful comments from fans. In a joint statement posted on their Instagram Stories, the actors condemned any form of racist, homophobic, biphobic, misogynistic, ageist, ableist, parasocial, or bigoted comments from fans.
Williams, who plays Japanese-Canadian hockey star Shane Hollander, and Arnaud, who portrays American player Scott Hunter, emphasized that they stand united against any form of hate and discrimination. They made it clear that true fans should not engage in such behavior and that their support should be based on respect and love.
The statement was further elaborated on by Williams in a now-deleted exchange with a fan, where he explained that it was François’s idea to release the statement. Despite not actively seeking out hateful comments, Williams expressed shock at the disrespectful behavior exhibited by some fans within the “Heated Rivalry” community.
The show, based on author Rachel Reid’s “Game Changers” novels, has garnered a passionate fanbase since its premiere on Crave and HBO Max. However, Williams admitted to being taken aback by the level of disrespect he has encountered from some fans. He acknowledged the presence of both respectful and disrespectful individuals within the fandom, highlighting the need for mutual respect and understanding.
Arnaud, too, has faced backlash from certain fans, prompting him to briefly unfollow some of his castmates and the series creator, Jacob Tierney, on Instagram. Despite these challenges, he remains grateful for the overwhelmingly positive interaction he has had with fans of the show.
As the first season of “Heated Rivalry” continues to captivate audiences, with a second season already in the works, Williams and Arnaud’s message serves as a reminder of the importance of fostering a supportive and inclusive fan community. True fans, they emphasize, should be allies in promoting respect and understanding, rather than perpetuating hate and discrimination.
