The ‘Heated Rivalry’ Fandom Is Tearing Itself Apart

Wired

by Brittany Spanos

February 13, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

The Heated Rivalry fandom has become a battleground as fans' obsessive behavior on social media threatens to overshadow their love for the show. The series, based on Rachel Reid’s *Game Changers* books, follows a romantic rivalry between two hockey players, Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie), whose on-screen relationship has sparked unprecedented fan engagement. However, this enthusiasm has turned into parasocial interactions, with fans tracking every move of the cast members offline, from paparazzi photos to private accounts. The fandom's intensity has led to online conflicts, including hate campaigns against actors and accusations of "queer-baiting" Hudson Williams over rumors about his sexuality. Meanwhile, the show's success has catapulted its stars into global superstardom, with fans creating countless social media accounts dedicated to them. The Heated Rivalry fandom has also shown a darker side, with some fans engaging in obsessive behaviors that have impacted their daily lives. For instance, many fans admitted to rewatching the series multiple times and becoming emotionally overwhelmed by its情节. Others have taken it a step further by digging into the personal lives of the actors, such as analyzing Connor Storrie's pre-fame YouTube videos or Hudson Williams' Letterboxd account. This has led to online wars among fan accounts, with some fans accusing others of bias or spreading misinformation. The situation has become so intense that even the creators of popular fan accounts, like Gina and Anna behind *Connor Storrie Updates*, face backlash for their content choices. The Heated Rivalry phenomenon highlights how modern entertainment intersects with technology, particularly social media, to create both opportunities and challenges. On one hand, platforms like X and Instagram

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Originally published on Wired on 2/13/2026