Openly gay comedian and actor Jordan Firstman is stirring up controversy by criticizing the steamy gay intimacy scenes in HBO Max’s breakout hit Heated Rivalry, calling them inauthentic and far from realistic.
In a candid chat with Vulture, the I Love LA star didn’t hold back after watching the opening episodes of the hockey-themed romance. “Look, I binge-watched those first couple of installments, and honestly? It doesn’t feel genuinely queer,” he remarked. “That’s not the way actual gay men get intimate it’s missing that raw edge.”
Firstman draws from personal experience, having starred in explicit, unsimulated sequences in the 2023 dark comedy Rotting in the Sun, which many praised for its unflinching portrayal of queer desire. He also features in provocative moments on his current HBO series I Love LA, making this feel like intra-network shade.
He went further, questioning the lead actors Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie who play rival athletes in a secret passionate affair for staying silent about their own sexual orientations. “I turn to media for challenge and depth,” Firstman explained to the outlet, “but plenty of viewers are fine with light escapism, watching two presumably straight guys play at being gay lovers on ice.”
The comments have sparked backlash, with some co-stars pushing back gracefully while promoting cross-show support. Firstman later addressed the uproar on social media, expressing affection for the series but admitting he sometimes speaks too freely.
Despite the drama, Heated Rivalry continues to dominate streaming charts, earning a swift Season 2 renewal amid widespread acclaim for its portrayal of closeted desire in professional sports.
Heated Rivalry uncensored scenes collection
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