Can We Try Being Normal About Heated Rivalry?
Heated Rivalry Season 2 is filming and people are already being weirdos about it... | Popping In Vol. 62: August 10th, 2026
Being a fan of something is one of life’s simple pleasures. How fun is it to feel passionate about something to a point where you find ways to weave it into your day-to-day life? Growing up, I found a lot of community in online fandoms for various things such as the Jonas Brothers and Glee, and I owe a lot of who I am today to finding these communities at a young age (arguably too young). As I write this, I’m watching the clock to make sure I leave on time for a birthday dinner for someone I never would have known had it not been for our shared love of Joe Jonas (and his brothers, of course).
However, being a fan requires a certain level of self-awareness in which you know how much of said interest is enough before it becomes a detriment to your life. When I love something, I want to share it with the world - after all, I’m an Aries, which means I’m passionate as hell by nature. As I’ve gotten older, I've gotten a really good hold on liking things a normal amount and not making them my entire personality. While there’s nothing wrong with being passionate about the things we love, the intersection of fandoms and the internet has unlocked a new type of fan that, respectfully, should be put in a padded room.
When ‘Heated Rivalry’ premiered in November of last year, it felt as if lightning struck the entire world. As someone who constantly begs for monoculture, I was ecstatic that everywhere you went there were whispers about Connor Storrie’s butt and Hudson Williams' back dimples. And then, it got weird (shocker). As fast as it became a phenomenon, we also watched people reach padded room level fan in record time.
Since the Big Heated Rivalry Bang, both Connor and Hudson have encountered numerous inappropriate fan and paparazzi interactions, most notably being when Hudson expressed that it was “fucking weird” to follow him to his residence, threw their Sharpie, and continued to light their unsigned photos on fire or when Club Chalamet was attacked outside Connor’s hotel by another freak waiting outside his hotel. The two were spotted in Toronto last week and it felt as though a Shane and Ilya shaped bat signal went off in the sky signaling that season two filming was imminent. As fast as the two of them were spotted, the Heated Rivalry team got to work on setting boundaries ahead of filming.
To our incredible fans and everyone who’s been sharing in the excitement for the show:
Your support, enthusiasm, and kindness have meant the world to us. As we gear up for more Heated Rivarly, please help us in making it the best it can be.
If you happen to come across one of our filming locations, please give our cast and crew the space they need to do what they do best.
We promise it’ll be worth the wait!
- Your Heated Rivalry Family1
Great! However, people found something else to be weird about and have begun complaining about Hudson Williams bulking for season two. Huh? I read one post on Threads that said a “real gay person” would never have put on “this much weight” before returning for a season two. I’m not exactly sure where people find the audacity to comment on people’s bodies the way they do and I’m also not sure why anyone is complaining about a bulkier Shane Hollander considering now they’re complaining about Justice Smith, who was recently announced to be playing Harris Drover in season two, not being stocky enough. Is there any pleasing these people?
Trust me, I’d love to see the “stocky” and “soft belly” that’s written in Rachel Reid’s Role Model on season two, give me all the bellies, but let’s not forget how up in arms everyone was over Connor and Hudson getting cast in season one. I think a lot of people would benefit from touching grass this week, and most weeks if we’re being honest. In the words of Hudson Williams:
“This is fucking weird.”
On the podcast last week: Ariana Grande taking a step back from the public eye, BTS protesting the Grammys, the controversial 2027 Met Gala Theme, and lots more.
MORE MOMENTS FROM THE WEEK THAT WERE TOO POP TO HANDLE
Taylor Swift has removed the audio of several songs from TikTok videos posted by Donald Trump’s team
I’ve been waiting for Taylor Swift to do something about The White House’s continued use of her music for months, and the time has finally come. We’ve seen celebrities like Sabrina Carpenter, Olivia Rodrigo, and most recently, Katy Perry call out Trump and his cult for using their music, but Taylor hadn’t said anything which to a lot of people signaled that she’s the MAGA Barbie Demon Billionaire everyone wants to be. However, for people with a brain who have seen the way Taylor’s spoken about Trump in the past and didn’t forget that she endorsed Kamala Harris in the 2024 Presidential Election like myself, I imagined she and her team were working on bigger action than just leaving a comment on a post. As of last week multiple songs have been removed including “The Fate of Ophelia”, “august”, and “Cruel Summer” after a post from the White House was captioned “I’m sure Taylor Swift is going to be super excited we used her song!”
Chappell Roan announces “The Super Graphic Spectacular” two-night event in Los Angeles
The Midwest Princess is hitting the stage again for a great cause! Chappell Roan is putting on a special two night even in LA this October that she’s calling “The Super Graphic Spectacular” where she’ll be doing a special performance both nights as well as delivering a night full of “drag, dance, guests, surprises, and funnnn!” she writes on Instagram. People have a lot to say about Chappell and the way she handles fame but I, for one, am always rooting for her.2
Hilary Duff surprises NYC crowd with Good Charlotte
Ariana Grande’s ‘petal’ scores her a seventh No. 1 album
NEW MUSIC I’M LISTENING TO
MORNING DEW (DONK) REMIX - Beyoncé
THERAPY AT THE CLUB - FLO
Love Sensation (Afterhours Mix) - Madonna & Kylie Minogue
Don’t Leave Me on the Dance Floor - Carly Rae Jepsen
Blue Island - Ravyn Lenae
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Yes, even when she’s yelling at paparazzi! More of this!