Two HBO shows are at the center of a public debate about what makes a gay sex scene feel real. The stars of the popular sports drama Heated Rivalry have responded to criticism from actor Jordan Firstman, who said their show’s intimate scenes are “not how gay people f**k.” The online discussion has grown into a larger conversation about who gets to decide what is authentic in queer storytelling.
François Arnaud, who plays hockey pro Scott Hunter on the show, responded directly to the critique online. Hudson Williams, one of the series’ leads, also reacted publicly. The exchange started after Firstman, star of the HBO comedy I Love LA, made pointed comments in a recent interview.
What Jordan Firstman Said About The Show’s Sex Scenes
The conversation began in a Vulture interview published on Thursday, December 11. Firstman was asked to compare the sex scenes in his show to those in Heated Rivalry. His response was blunt.
“Yeah, we’re going for it. It’s gay. I’m sorry, I watched those first two episodes of Heated Rivalry, and it’s just not gay. It’s not how gay people f**k,” Firstman told Vulture.
He used a specific moment from I Love LA as an example of what he considers real. In a scene, his character and another man both say “that part” after climaxing. Firstman said this was drawn directly from his personal life and represented a specific “camaraderie” of gay sex.
The actor also commented on the public discussion around the real-life sexuality of Heated Rivalry‘s lead actors, Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, who have not publicly discussed their private lives.
“I go to art to be confronted and to think, but a lot of people just want entertainment or to see two straight hockey players pretending to be gay and f**king,” Firstman said.
“I am one of those bitches who says, ‘Then say it.’ A gay guy would say it,” he added.
How The Heated Rivalry Actors Responded
The critique did not go unanswered. François Arnaud, a supporting actor on Heated Rivalry, posted a public comment on Instagram on Friday, December 12, questioning the idea of a single standard for authenticity.
“Is there only one way to have ‘authentic’ gay sex on tv?” Arnaud wrote. “Should the sex that closeted hockey players have look like the sex that sceney LA gay guys have?”
His comment highlighted a key point in the debate: that different characters in different situations would naturally express intimacy in different ways. The characters in Heated Rivalry are professional athletes navigating a secret relationship, a context far removed from the Los Angeles social scene depicted in Firstman’s show.
Hudson Williams, who plays star hockey player Shane Hollander, also responded. He reshared Arnaud’s comment to his own Instagram Story but chose a more diplomatic approach.
“But truly go watch I Love LA! Jordan and the cast are great!!” Williams wrote.
This graceful response was noted by fans and commentators, who saw it as taking the high road during a heated public exchange.
Jordan Firstman’s Follow-Up After Backlash
Following the responses from the Heated Rivalry cast and significant reaction from fans online, Jordan Firstman posted his own follow-up statement on Saturday, December 13.
On his Instagram Story, he walked back his earlier criticism.
“I love Heated Rivalry and ultimately I’m a f***ot who can’t shut the f**k up but I’m gunna get better at that,” Firstman wrote.
He also mentioned receiving “thousands” of negative messages in response to his original comments. This public step back signaled an end to the direct clash, though the discussion it started continued online.
The Real People Behind The Cameras
An important fact that emerged in the debate is the identity of the creative lead behind Heated Rivalry. Firstman had stated in his Vulture interview that “a straight guy could not write” the kind of authentic gay sex scene he described.
However, Heated Rivalry is created, written, and directed by Jacob Tierney, who is an openly gay filmmaker. This detail was widely pointed out by fans and reporters covering the story, as it contradicted the implication that the show lacked queer creative influence.
Tierney has previously spoken about the casting process and the approach to the show’s intimate scenes. In an interview with LGBTQ+ magazine Xtra, he explained that he looked for actors with the “enthusiasm and willingness to do the work” to make the story feel real.
“They f**king hit it out of the park,” Tierney said of his leads, Williams and Storrie.
The show is an adaptation of the popular Game Changers book series by author Rachel Reid.
Fan Reactions and The Bigger Conversation
The exchange between the actors sparked a wider discussion on social media and in comments on entertainment news articles. Many fans and viewers criticized Firstman’s original comments as unnecessarily divisive.
A common sentiment was that there is no single, correct way to portray gay intimacy on screen, as queer experiences are diverse. Others felt the criticism overlooked the specific narrative context of Heated Rivalry, which involves closeted athletes in a high-stakes sports environment.
The show has been a major success since its premiere last month. It holds a 95% critics score and a 91% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Just before this controversy, HBO and Crave announced the series was renewed for a second season. The first season’s finale is scheduled for December 26.
Both Heated Rivalry and I Love LA are available to stream on HBO Max.
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