Rising Stars to Shine at the Olympics
Conor Storey and Hudson Williams, stars of “Heated Rivals,” have gone from relative unknowns to overnight sensations. They’ll be continuing their journey at the 2026 Olympics.
On February 6, both will participate as torchbearers in the Olympic Torch Relay in Milan, just before the opening ceremony.
The 2026 Winter Olympics, also referred to as the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, are set to take place in Northern Italy.
“Heated Rivalry,” a series available on Crave in Canada and HBO Max in the U.S., is adapted from Rachel Reid’s novel. It tells a gay love story between rival professional hockey players who engage in a passionate, secret relationship that spans several years.
Since its November premiere, the show quickly gained traction, becoming one of the most-watched programs on HBO Max and has already been renewed for a second season.
With their newfound fame, Storey and Williams have made quite the impression on the talk show circuit, appearing on “Late Night with Seth Meyers” and “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” They even made their red carpet debut at the 2026 Golden Globe Awards.
“I don’t think anything can prepare you,” Williams remarked during an appearance on a show, mentioning the unexpected nature of their rise to notoriety. He candidly discussed the rush of their overnight success.
He described how the sudden fame has changed him, reflecting on the abstractness of celebrity—“It’s not other human beings who are famous.” He admitted he couldn’t fully grasp what famous people go through until now.
In a piece featured in Interview Magazine, Storey confessed he didn’t expect the show to take off. He expressed his shock, mentioning he was prepared for the possibility that it might not lead to much.
When reflecting on this experience, he noted how it feels like a blessing that continues to grow, adding that something extraordinary can sometimes arise from what seems like a simple moment.
The 2026 Winter Olympics will be accessible on HBO Max in the U.S., with the opening ceremony kicking off on February 6.
