Gus Kenworthy had his own heated rivalry and an A-list pop star was part of it
Olympian Gus Kenworthy sees a lot of himself in “Heated Rivalry.”
In an interview with The New Yorker published Sunday, Kenworthy acknowledged the many “parallels” between the series and his own private life, particularly in the years before he publicly addressed his sexuality.
“In fact, I wrote a message to [series creator Jacob Tierney] because I was very moved and I didn’t expect to be. And I don’t think I’ve ever seen myself reflected on screen in that way, in such a substantial way,” Kenworthy said. “The parallels are kind of crazy. “I also had a secret relationship, with these clandestine meetings and encounters.”
He went on to note, “And Miley Cyrus was my own Rose, this famous person that I suddenly bonded with, and as much as I wanted it, because that’s the person you love. wanted to “You want to be if you’re straight, someone successful, beautiful and talented; it’s not the same as when you’re with a guy.”
Based on the “Game Changers” novels by Rachel Reid, “Heated Rivalry” captured the cultural zeitgeist shortly after premiering on HBO Max and Canada’s Crave in November to critical acclaim. The six-episode series follows professional hockey players Shane Hollander (played by Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie), who meet as adversaries on the ice but soon become involved in a passionate behind-the-scenes romance.
Over time, Shane’s life in the public eye makes him ashamed of his sexuality, and he briefly calls off his relationship with Ilya to date an actress, Rose Landry (Sophie Nélisse).
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Kenworthy, now 34, came out as gay in a 2015 interview with ESPN. Three years later, he made a splash at the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, when NBC aired footage of him kissing his then-boyfriend, actor Matthew Wilkas, before a qualifying race.
However, in interviews prior to his coming out, Kenworthy described Cyrus as his dream celebrity, “Valentine,” after which the couple followed each other on social media.
Although much of the rumors surrounding “Heated Rivalry” have emphasized Williams and Storrie’s characters, Kenworthy said he “really relates” to Scott Hunter (François Arnaud), who goes public with his relationship with his boyfriend Kip (Robbie GK) in one of the show’s most memorable scenes.
“He wanted to be out, but he really felt like he couldn’t because of his circumstances,” she said. “That’s how I was for so many years. I had the same desire: to be in love, to be public and not have to hide.”
In recent years, Kenworthy has branched out into acting and reality television, appearing on “American Horror Story” and Netflix’s “Coming Out Colton,” where he served as a mentor to former “Bachelor” star Colton Underwood. Last week he confirmed that he will represent Great Britain at the 2026 Winter Games, which begin on February 6 in Milan and Cortina, Italy.
Elsewhere in his chat with the New Yorker, Kenworthy said he had auditioned for HBO Max’s “The White Lotus” but didn’t get the role. Still, it sounds like he would be eager to join the cast of “Heated Rivalry,” which has been renewed for a second season, if the opportunity arose.
“You know, I played hockey throughout high school,” he joked. “I can skate and I know how to handle a stick.”