Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams, who star as hockey gamers entangled in a secret romance within the HBO Max smash “Heated Rivalry,” have been named as official torchbearers for the upcoming Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina.
The duo are amongst a number of torchbearers tasked with carrying the Olympic Flame from Rome to Milan earlier than the opening ceremony in Milan on February 6, HBO Max and the Olympic organizers mentioned Thursday.
It’s not but clear when precisely the pair will function within the relay.
Transferring their fictional occupation to the Winter Olympics, the largest hockey stage on the planet, is simply the newest affirmation of Storrie and Williams’ newfound stardom.
In the quick time since “Heated Rivalry” turned a cultural phenomenon — the present debuted on November 28 — they’ve gone from relative obscurity to being two of Hollywood’s hottest properties.
Williams was virtually mobbed by followers as he walked into “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon” on January 7, a reception that an NBC safety guard mentioned he had solely seen beforehand for Harry Styles.
“Late Night with Seth Meyers” needed to difficulty a particular announcement saying there could be no standby line tickets for Storrie’s January 12 look on the present as a result of they anticipated such excessive demand.
The present is in every single place. Fitness chain SoulCycle is internet hosting “Heated Rivalry” lessons; LGBT+ bars are internet hosting “Heated Rivalry” watch events; social media is flooded with “Heated Rivalry” memes.
Adapted by Jacob Tierney from Rachel Reid’s “Game Changers” books, “Heated Rivalry” is about over an eight-year interval, depicting the connection between Canadian Shane Hollander (performed by Williams) and Russian Ilya Rozanov (performed by Storrie). Both large hockey stars, they’ve very completely different personalities. They are rivals on the ice however, behind closed doorways, they’ve very, excellent intercourse.
It’s confirmed an irresistible mixture, making “Heated Rivalry” one among HBO Max’s hottest reveals, a reputation nearly completely pushed by word-of-mouth.
Much has been written concerning the show’s impact on pop culture and the way in which it depicts the complexities of a closeted homosexual relationship, particularly within the usually ultra-macho world {of professional} sports activities.