‘Heated Rivalry’ Stars Hudson Williams and François Arnaud Say ‘Don’t Call Yourself a Fan’ If You Post Hate Comments: We ‘Are on the Same Side’

“Heated Rivalry” stars Hudson Williams and François Arnaud posted matching statements to their Instagram stories on Monday, telling off viewers who post hate comments on their castmates’ socials.

“Don’t call yourself a fan if you share racist/homophobic/biphobic/misogynist/ageist/ableist/parasocial/bigoted comments of any kind,” read the posts. “None of us need your hateful ‘love.’”

The statement continued, “We all respect and support and love each other and are on the same side. If you can’t accept that gtfoh.”

In “Heated Rivarly,” Williams plays up-and-coming hockey star Shane Hollander, and Arnaud plays veteran pro Scott Hunter. The HBO drama follows the secret romance between Wiliams’ character and Connor Storrie’s Ilya Rozanov. All three leads have been recent subjects of online hate, with some viewers sharing comments with the intention of stirring drama between them.

Williams and Arnaud are not the only “Heated Rivalry” stars to speak out against the hate. Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova, who plays Ilya’s close friend Svetlana, posted a statement on X in an effort to cut through the online noise about her importance to the show.

“Since it’s Women’s Day I want to say the women you see at industry events are there bcuz they are just as deserving of being in those rooms! The assumption that we are there because our male costars invited us takes away the work we also put in. Celebrate women’s achievements!” In a follow-up post, she added, “Also if you’re using this tweet to criticize my castmates you missed the point! They are amazing!! I said CELEBRATE WOMEN not hate on male actors.”