Actor Taylor Zakhar Perez has highlighted the narrative similarities between his hit film and another major LGBTQ+ romance, noting their focus on deep connection over fleeting encounters. While filming the sequel Red, White & Royal Wedding in London, Perez shared his thoughts in a recent interview, drawing direct parallels to the popular series Heated Rivalry.
Perez revealed that he has watched several episodes of Heated Rivalry, the Crave/HBO Max adaptation of Rachel Reid’s Game Changers novels. He pointed to a shared core strength in both stories. He described the common element not as a focus on physical relationships, but on a deeper emotional need for closeness.
โI saw a lot of the same elements of Red, White in Heated Rivalry,โ Perez told GQ. โIt wasnโt just about s*x, it was so much about intimacyโand we crave intimacy because itโs a lot less fleeting than s*x is.โ
He credited both projects for telling a “really beautiful story over a long period of time,” which creates a sense of longing and universal appeal. Perez suggested that audiences connect with the “forbidden love” aspects and the journey characters take to overcome hurdles.
Current Projects and Excitement for the Sequel
Perez made these comments while actively filming the sequel, Red, White & Royal Wedding, in London. The actor shared a major clarification about the sequel’s plot, directly addressing widespread fan speculation.
He confirmed that the central wedding in the film will not be between his character, Alex Claremont-Diaz, and Prince Henry, played by Nicholas Galitzine. The story will instead focus on the wedding of Henry’s sister, Princess Bea. Perez explained that the production team wanted to manage audience expectations from the start to avoid disappointment.
Fan excitement for the sequel is already clear. Perez mentioned that a short teaser released from the first day of filming received 13 million views in just 24 hours, an overwhelming response he described as “unexpected”.
Beyond Acting: Perez as a Reader and Developer
The interview also showcased Perez’s interests beyond acting. He is an avid reader who uses a dedicated e-tablet to read PDFs, currently enjoying a book by his co-star Sarah Shahi. His passion for stories is leading him into development.
Perez shared that he is actively working to adapt several books into screen projects. He has been developing an adaptation of a novel by Ali Hazelwood for the last six months and is also working on bringing Gabriel Urza’s book The Silver State to the screen. Additionally, he is involved in a sports film with the producers of the movie Air.
Fan Reactions and Comparisons
The actor’s comparison between the two romantic hits sparked immediate discussion among fans on social media. Reactions were mixed, with some agreeing on the shared themes of intimacy, while others debated the merits of each story.
One fan comment on a social media post about the interview stated, “I loved RW&RB because it was earnest and sweetโฆ but HR blows RW&RB out of the water in just about every way imaginable.” Another pointed out the different formats, noting, “HR is way better than it and it’s a series. Not a movie. They had time to make it worth it more.” These discussions highlight the passionate and engaged fanbases both properties have cultivated.
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Perez’s New Lacoste Campaign and Fitness Routine
The GQ interview coincided with the launch of Perez’s second global underwear campaign for Lacoste. To prepare, he intensified his existing functional football training regimen, working out with college and semi-professional players.
Perez described the challenge of preparing for a campaign where his image would be displayed on billboards worldwide, including in Times Square. He felt a strong responsibility to represent the brand well and not “half-ass” the commitment. The new ad features a locker room dance sequence inspired by Flashdance, with Perez listening to artists like Purple Disco Machine and Little Simz during the shoot.
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