Heated Rivalry breakout star Hudson Williams is supporting hockey player Jesse Kortuem after he decided to come out.
“Hi Jesse, it’s Hudson. I just wanted to say thank you for watching our show and sharing your kind words you had for it,” Williams, 24, said in a pre-recorded message on The Drew Barrymore Show, which will air in the Thursday, January 22, episode.
Williams continued, “It really means a lot that our show could even play a little, small part in a sort of positive thing about your life. And thank you for your bravery and just sounding like a really cool guy. And hi, Drew, as well. Hi everyone, actually. Really just thank you so much, Jesse, you’re amazing.”
Kortuem appeared touched by the message, telling host Drew Barrymore, “Wow. Thank you. That’s incredible. I’m overwhelmed.”
Heated Rivalry’s Hudson Williams Defends Dad But Claims He Was Irresponsible
Ahead of the video, Barrymore asked Kortuem why he felt inspired to come out after watching Heated Rivalry.
“For me, episode five of watching Scott Hunter (François Arnaud), he pulls Kip (Robbie G.K.) down onto the ice, and the fans are cheering, they kiss, and the announcer says ‘That’s great for Scott Hunter,’” Kortuem replied.
Kortuem continued, “And we finally have these magical moments in sports, and we finally have these magical moments in stories like this, it’s such a positive reflection of what our society can be, and I’m hoping to lend that voice to help those kids that are hurting to be themselves.”
Kortuem made headlines earlier this month when he announced that he is gay, crediting the TV show — which follows the romance between two gay hockey players Shane Hollander (Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie) — with his decision to share his sexuality.
When asked whether he envisions his own story inspiring others in the future, Kortuem replied, “And that’s really where I speak to the gravity at this point, where I didn’t realize that one story could spark a conversation, could encourage others to finally find the strength to be themselves.”
‘Heated Rivalry’ Stars Joke About Picturing Golden Globes Audience Naked
He continued, “I did get one message from somebody that said, ‘Because of your story, it gave me the courage to finally have that conversation with my family at a barbecue and they accepted me and I just feel free.’ I called my sister-in-law after that and I was shaking and sobbing and I said, ‘This is what it’s about. It’s about giving that kid hope that doesn’t think he can go on any longer. It’s about giving that kid who’s playing hockey in Fargo right now, where his teammates might be bullying him. Or that collegiate athlete that thinks that they can’t be gay and play the sport. That is what this is all about.’”
Since the show has aired, Williams shared that he was receiving messages from closeted athletes.
“It’s definitely the people who reach out, somewhat anonymously, who are like, ‘I’m still a professional player still, and I’m still in the closet,’” Williams told Andy Cohen on SiriusXM’s Andy Cohen Live on January 7, noting that he’s heard from closeted “hockey players, football players [and] basketball players.”
Williams shared that the athletes often reach out to Heated Rivalry author Rachel Reid, who “will then kind of relay these lovely, anonymous emails.”
“Sometimes they’re just reaching out privately through, like, Instagram, and those ones are the ones that really just kind of hit you and go, ‘Oh, so this is a fun show and it’s celebratory, but also sometimes it’s just hitting people right in the nerves,’” Williams added.
