Hudson Williams, star of the steamy series "Heated Rivalry," finds himself at the center of a controversy involving a photo that surfaced showing him with a swastika drawn above his right eyebrow. According to TMZ, the image stems from a high school tradition in his hometown in British Columbia, where teenagers would draw on each other with Sharpie markers.
TMZ Reports Explanation
Citing multiple unnamed sources, TMZ reported that Williams, now 25, was unaware of the Nazi symbol on his face when the photo was taken. A friend told the outlet, "The markings do not and have never reflected Hudson's beliefs, values, or character." The actor was participating in a local custom where teens draw images on one another, and the swastika was allegedly part of that activity.
Impact on Rising Career
Williams gained fame for his role in "Heated Rivalry," a series about two gay hockey players in a love affair, which began streaming on HBO Max in late November. The show boosted his career alongside co-star Connor Storrie. However, the newfound celebrity has brought unwanted scrutiny. TMZ sources described the incident as "inexcusable" but attributed it to "underage kids doing dumb things while under the influence."
HuffPost has reached out to Williams' publicist for comment. In the meantime, TMZ relayed a statement from those close to the actor: "He understands the hurt and disappointment the photo has caused and deeply regrets it. He does not condone or support the offensive markings that were drawn on him and recognizes the seriousness of the symbol seen in the image."
Williams was recently pictured at the 2026 Canadian Screen Awards and the Vanity Fair Oscar Party, where he posed with Storrie. The controversy adds a new layer to his public profile as he navigates the challenges of fame.
