Olympian Gus Kenworthy Finds Personal Resonance in 'Heated Rivalry' Series
In a revealing interview with The New Yorker published on Sunday, Olympic freestyle skier Gus Kenworthy opened up about the profound connections he sees between the HBO Max and Crave series "Heated Rivalry" and his own life experiences. Kenworthy, now 34, acknowledged numerous "parallels" with the show, particularly reflecting on the years before he publicly addressed his sexuality.
A Message of Recognition and Relatability
Kenworthy shared that he was so moved by the series that he reached out to creator Jacob Tierney. "I actually wrote a message to [Tierney] because I was so moved, and didn't expect to be. And I don't think I've ever seen myself reflected onscreen like that, in such a substantial way," Kenworthy said. He elaborated on the similarities, noting, "The parallels are kind of insane. I also had a secret relationship, with these clandestine meetings and hookups."
Drawing Comparisons to Personal Experiences
He further compared his past to the show's narrative, where character Shane Hollander dates a female actor, Rose Landry, to conceal his sexuality. Kenworthy pointed out, "And Miley Cyrus was my own Rose, this famous person that I was suddenly linked to, and as much as I kind of wanted it—because that's the person you would want to be with if you're straight, someone successful and beautiful and talented—it's not the same as when you're with a guy." This reference harkens back to interviews before his coming out, where he described Cyrus as his dream celebrity "Valentine."
Background on 'Heated Rivalry' and Its Impact
Based on Rachel Reid's "Game Changers" novels, "Heated Rivalry" premiered in November to critical acclaim, quickly capturing the cultural zeitgeist. The six-episode series follows professional hockey players Shane Hollander (played by Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie), who transition from on-ice adversaries to engaging in a steamy, behind-the-scenes romance. The plot explores themes of shame and public perception as Shane briefly ends his relationship with Ilya to date Rose, mirroring real-life pressures faced by LGBTQ individuals.
Kenworthy's Journey and Public Milestones
Kenworthy came out as gay in a 2015 interview with ESPN, and three years later, he made headlines at the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, when NBC broadcast footage of him sharing a kiss with his then-boyfriend, actor Matthew Wilkas. Despite this public embrace of his identity, Kenworthy related strongly to character Scott Hunter (François Arnaud) in the series, who struggles with coming out due to his circumstances. "He wanted to be out, but really, just truly felt like he couldn't be, because of his circumstances. That was me for so many years. I had the same yearning—to be in love, to be public, and to not have to hide," he explained.
Expanding Career and Future Aspirations
In recent years, Kenworthy has diversified his career, venturing into acting and reality television with appearances on "American Horror Story" and Netflix's "Coming Out Colton," where he mentored former "Bachelor" star Colton Underwood. Looking ahead, he confirmed he will represent Great Britain at the 2026 Winter Games in Milan and Cortina, Italy. During his New Yorker chat, Kenworthy also mentioned auditioning for HBO Max's "The White Lotus" without success but expressed eagerness to join "Heated Rivalry" for its renewed second season, joking, "You know, I played hockey through high school. I can skate, and I know how to handle a stick."
This interview highlights the ongoing importance of LGBTQ representation in media, as Kenworthy's personal reflections underscore how fictional narratives can resonate deeply with real-life struggles and triumphs.
