'Heated Rivalry' stars, sexuality rumors and what we can learn

The only thing people are talking about more than "Heated Rivalry" is the stars of "the show." And that's not necessarily a good thing.

Rumors have swirled about whether the Canadian ice hockey drama's (season finale streams Dec. 26 on HBO Max, though it's already been renewed for Season 2) stars are queer like their characters.

The show has been heating up TV screens over the last several weeks, focusing on the steamy, secret romance between rising star professional hockey players Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie). The pair play a cat-and-mouse game of sexual tension, sneaking off to hotel rooms whenever they're in each other's orbit as years of hockey seasons go by. There's nudity and no shortage of sex scenes, nor are they the only characters partaking in gay sex.

While Williams and Storrie have been cozy during press for the show, neither have publicly confirmed their sexuality. “I feel honored to be able to bring someone to life that so many people feel seen, understood, and represented by, and I think that transcends whoever I’m sleeping with in my real life,” Storrie told Vulture. And Williams pushed back after the celebrity gossip Instagram Deuxmoi claimed he had a girlfriend, though his comment is now gone: "You know what, I’ve grown quite unfond of you deuxmoi."

Celebrities and public figures regularly face speculation about their sexuality: Shawn Mendes, Kit Connor, Khalid, to name a few. But should they?

The short answer: No.

The consequences, especially if someone is pushed out of the closet, could be dire, mental health experts say. Take one spin through social media or Google anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in the U.S. and see why.

Speculating about sexuality is intrusive

Connor, star of Netflix's "Heartstopper," came out as bisexual several years ago after feeling immense pressure.

"Back for a minute. I'm bi. congrats for forcing an 18 year old to out himself," Connor wrote in a short tweet. Fans had accused the star of "queerbaiting" – when a straight, cisgender person seems to cash in on LGBTQ+ fashion, music, acting roles and more. Some have accused the "Heated Rivalry" stars of the same.

That Connor debacle highlighted what happens when queerbaiting accusations goes awry. "There is a vast difference between audiences raising legitimate concerns about exploitative, LGBTQ-mediated representations and queerbaiting and online trolling …" Melvin Williams, associate professor of communication and media studies at Pace University, previously told USA TODAY.

The same can be said for singer Mendes, who said in October 2024: "The real truth about my life and my sexuality is that, man, I’m just figuring it out like everyone." For a star who hasn't actually said anything definitive about his sexuality, countless social media posts sure like talking about it with no evidence.

Sure, anyone is free to discuss anything privately. But talking about someone's sexuality in a public forum when they're not comfortable with it is a whole other kind of intrusion. And even if they're comfortable privately, that doesn't make it tabloid fodder.

While people worry about a lack of authenticity in queer representation when out queer actors aren't in those roles, it's a more nuanced discussion than people like to admit. In Storrie's case, he's more concerned about who his character represents for people. Why should his sex life be part of the conversation?

Connor Storrie, Hudson Williams don't owe us an answer

Then again: Shouldn't celebrities, influencers and those otherwise in the public eye expect questioning about their personal lives, unlike the average person?

Yes and no. "The nature of celebrity journalism is to glean as much information as possible about celebrities we arguably know too well," Williams explained. "Still, celebrities and non-celebrities do not owe the public a confirmation or explanation about their sexual orientations, and disclosures should remain a matter of choice."

Experts say people should never feel obligated to come out, especially when their safety is at risk. Even when they are more privileged, people also shouldn't come out if they're not ready.

"Ideally, we are working to create a world without boxes or closets to 'come out of' because we would never be expected to be anything other than who we say we are," Moe Ari Brown, a licensed marriage and family therapist, previously told USA TODAY. "Until that shift happens, we must intentionally choose who we wish to invite into a celebration of our identities."

We may never know the truth about Storrie and Williams' private lives. That should not be controversial.