Gus Kenworthy Had His Own ‘Heated Rivalry’ — And One A-List Pop Star Was Part Of It

Olympian Gus Kenworthy sees a lot of himself in “Heated Rivalry.”

In an interview with The New Yorker published Sunday, Kenworthy acknowledged the many “parallels” between the series and his own private life, particularly in the years before he publicly addressed his sexuality.

“I actually wrote a message to [series creator Jacob Tierney] because I was so moved, and didn’t expect to be. And I don’t think I’ve ever seen myself reflected onscreen like that, in such a substantial way,” Kenworthy said. “The parallels are kind of insane. I also had a secret relationship, with these clandestine meetings and hookups.”

He went on to note: “And Miley Cyrus was my own Rose, this famous person that I was suddenly linked to, and as much as I kind of wanted it—because that’s the person you would want to be with if you’re straight, someone successful and beautiful and talented—it’s not the same as when you’re with a guy.”

Based on Rachel Reid’s “Game Changers” novels, “Heated Rivalry” captured the cultural zeitgeist shortly after it premiered on HBO Max and Canada’s Crave in November to critical acclaim. The six-episode series follows professional hockey players Shane Hollander (played by Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie), who meet as adversaries on the ice but are soon engaged in a steamy, behind-the-scenes romance.

Over time, Shane’s life in the public eye makes him feel ashamed of his sexuality, and he briefly calls off his relationship with Ilya to date a female actor, Rose Landry (Sophie Nélisse).

Kenworthy, now 34, came out as gay in a 2015 interview with ESPN. Three years later, he made waves at the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, when NBC broadcast footage of him sharing a kiss with his then-boyfriend, actor Matthew Wilkas, before a qualifying run.

In interviews that predated his coming out, however, Kenworthy described Cyrus as his dream celebrity “Valentine,” after which the pair followed one another on social media.

Though much of the buzz surrounding “Heated Rivalry” has emphasized Williams’ and Storrie’s characters, Kenworthy said he “really related” to Scott Hunter (François Arnaud), who goes public with his relationship with boyfriend Kip (Robbie G.K.) in one of the show’s most memorable scenes.

“He wanted to be out, but really, just truly felt like he couldn’t be, because of his circumstances,” he said. “That was me for so many years. I had the same yearning—to be in love, to be public, and to not have to hide.”

In recent years, Kenworthy has branched out into acting and reality television, appearing on “American Horror Story” and in Netflix’s “Coming Out Colton,” where he served as a mentor to former “Bachelor” star Colton Underwood. Last week, he confirmed he’ll represent Great Britain at the 2026 Winter Games, which kick off Feb. 6 in Milan and Cortina, Italy.

Elsewhere in his New Yorker chat, Kenworthy said he’d auditioned for HBO Max’s “The White Lotus” but didn’t land the part. Still, it sounds as if he’d be eager to join the cast of “Heated Rivalry,” which has been renewed for a second season, if the opportunity arose.

“You know, I played hockey through high school,” he quipped. “I can skate, and I know how to handle a stick.”