US EditionGay ice hockey drama ‘Heated Rivalry’ becomes a surprise hit in Russia despite anti-LGBTQ+ laws
Prime Minister Mark Carney praised the Canadian TV drama Heated Rivalry for its authentic 2SLGBTQ+ portrayal, inspiring public coming out and surging LGBTQ+ romance sales by over 100%, analyst said.
- The Russian gay ice hockey drama 'Heated Rivalry' has become a surprise hit despite the country's anti-LGBTQ+ laws.
- On the Russian platform Kinopoisk, 'Heated Rivalry' has an 8.6 rating, the highest TV show ranking of all time according to Russian viewers.
- In contrast to Russia's repressive laws, LGBTQ+ romance sales have surged more than 100% in the US, with 'Heated Rivalry' leading the growth.
51 Articles
51 Articles
Does Hudson Williams Regret Doing Heated Rivalry? Star Unveils Dark Side Of Fame As He Plans 'Exits' From Crowds
Hudson Williams, the breakout star of the global hit 'Heated Rivalry', has delivered a raw and vulnerable account of the 'psychological toll' caused by his meteoric rise to A-list status. Speaking on the Shut Up Evan podcast on 20 January 2026, the 24-year-old Canadian actor revealed that he and co-star Connor Storrie have had to 'learn in 30 days what many actors learn in five years.' In just a few weeks, they spoke at the Golden Globes and wal…
Why Has ‘Heated Rivalry’ Launched So Much Heated Discourse?
Fanfiction, erotica, and romance allow fans and creators to escape reality and enter into fantasy, to hope for a version of a better world. Perhaps Heated Rivalry generates so much discourse because of the power, danger, and necessity of this kind of hope.
Winnipeg Free Press
Heated Rivalry creators in spotlight at Canadian media industry conference
Breaking News, Sports, Manitoba, Canada
Gay Olympian Gus Kenworthy Reveals His Surprising Celebrity Parallel To 'Heated Rivalry'
The characters of Heated Rivalry have inspired thirst-trap TikToks, memes, and award-show commentary—and now, an Olympian. Or, as Gus Kenworthy recently suggested, maybe the inspiration ran the other way.In an interview with The New Yorker published Sunday, the British-American freestyle skier acknowledged the striking “parallels” he sees between the hit series and his own private life, particularly in the years before he publicly addressed his …
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