Heated Rivalry star Hudson Williams finally gave fans a look at his private life on February 14, 2026, when he shared a Valentine’s Day tribute to his longtime girlfriend on social media. The 25-year-old Canadian actor, who plays Shane Hollander in the hit Crave and HBO Max series, posted a photo collage on his Instagram Stories that confirmed what many had wondered about his relationship status.
The collection of images gave a rare peek into his romance. Williams shared two mirror selfies with his arms around his girlfriend, a screenshot from a video call, and an overhead photo of her lying on top of him in bed. He captioned the post with a simple red heart emoji and the message “Happy Valentine’s Day” .
What caught everyone’s attention was the text he added that revealed just how long this relationship has been going on. Williams wrote that his girlfriend has been “with me since my 2000 gold Mazda Protegé smoked and squealed and I had no job” . This detail confirmed that she supported him long before his acting career took off, back when he was just another struggling actor trying to make it.
A Sweet Nod to His On-Screen Partner
The Valentine’s Day post also included a fun moment for Heated Rivalry fans. One of the photos showed his girlfriend sitting in a restaurant booth next to his co-star Connor Storrie, who plays Ilya Rozanov, Williams’ on-screen love interest in the series. Williams drew a red heart around Storrie’s face in the image, showing the close friendship between the three of them .
This wasn’t the first time Storrie has appeared in Williams’ social media posts featuring his girlfriend. A January 31 Instagram album from a trip to Italy included a short clip of Storrie sharing an ice cream sundae with her . The easy friendship between the co-stars and Williams’ partner has become a small but appreciated detail for followers of the show.
Why Hudson Williams Kept His Love Life Private Until Now
The actor has been careful about protecting his personal life since Heated Rivalry became a massive hit. In interviews, he has spoken openly about wanting boundaries even as his fame grew quickly.
“When I dreamed of becoming in the public eye, that I would want a level of privacy,” Williams told Deadline in a previous interview . He acknowledged that the intense attention comes with the territory but made it clear he would keep certain things to himself.
His co-star Storrie shared similar feelings about separating their real lives from the characters they play. “It’s important for me to have a little bit of separation from the character in the show,” Storrie said. “Who I date, who I sleep with, all of that I’m going to keep to myself” .
The Valentine’s Day post marked the first time Williams has publicly acknowledged his girlfriend, though he had previously pushed back against rumors about his dating life.
Shutting Down Gossip and Speculation
In December 2025, celebrity gossip account Deuxmoi discussed a rumor on their Deux U podcast that Williams was secretly dating a tattoo artist. The actor responded directly on Instagram with a now-deleted post that read, “You know what, I’ve grown quite unfond of you deuxmoi” . Variety reported on the exchange at the time, noting Williams’ firm response to the speculation .
The rumor mill has been active around both Williams and Storrie since Heated Rivalry premiered in late November 2025. Their intense on-screen chemistry as rival hockey players who fall in love led many viewers to wonder about their real-life relationships and sexual orientations. Williams addressed this curiosity in a Deadline interview, saying the speculation is “just the nature of celebrity” .
The Rise of Heated Rivalry and Its Stars
Heated Rivalry has become nothing short of a cultural phenomenon since its release. Based on Rachel Reid’s 2019 novel from her Game Changers series, the six-part show follows Shane Hollander (Williams), captain of the Montreal Metros, and Ilya Rozanov (Storrie), captain of the Boston Raiders, as they navigate their secret relationship while being rivals on the ice .
The series has been watched by millions across North America and developed a devoted following. Its success led to a second season renewal, which will adapt Reid’s sequel novel The Long Game . Production is expected to begin in summer 2026 .
The show’s impact has reached beyond entertainment. Former professional hockey player Jesse Kortuem came out as gay in January 2026, crediting Heated Rivalry with inspiring him. In a Facebook post, Kortuem wrote, “Lately, something has sparked in me (ok – yes, credit to Heated Rivalry)” . He described feeling he had to hide parts of himself at the rink for years and how the show helped him open up about his identity.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman also became a fan, saying he binged the entire series. “I thought the storyline was very compelling and a lot of fun, because I could see where they were picking at things that we had in the past,” Bettman said .
From Struggling Actor to Global Star
Williams’ journey to fame happened at lightning speed. Before Heated Rivalry, he was living the classic struggling actor life. He told Variety that his agent pointed out something striking about his rise. “She said Connor and I have had to learn what a lot of actors get in five years, in like 30 days” .
The actor made his late-night debut on The Tonight Show on January 7, 2026. The fan response stunned even veteran host Jimmy Fallon. Footage showed crowds gathering overnight just for a chance to see Williams arrive at the studio. Fallon told Entertainment Weekly it was “one of the hottest audiences we’ve ever had. I mean, they went bonkers” .
Despite the frenzy, Williams has worked to stay grounded. In a January interview with Wonderland magazine, he revealed he keeps two journals. One is a “semi-autobiographical” manuscript about this period in his life, where he “blurs the lines between fiction and real life.” The other is for daily reflections .
He credits his friends and family with keeping him humble. “They don’t care too much. They’re like, ‘Okay, good for you. This is amazing. But what’s your next role?’” he told People. “How you show up as a person matters more than anything else. I use my friends and family as a metric. Am I being an a–hole? Let’s make sure I’m staying kind” .
Carrying the Olympic Torch
Williams and Storrie’s fame reached another level in January 2026 when they were named official torchbearers for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy . HBO Max confirmed the news, saying in a statement, “They brought the heat. Now they’re carrying the torch” .
The pair participated in the Olympic Torch Relay ahead of the February 6 opening ceremony. The official Olympics Instagram account shared photos and videos of them carrying the flame through sections of the route . Previous celebrity torchbearers have included Halle Berry, Snoop Dogg, and David Beckham, placing Williams and Storrie in impressive company .
The Winter Games also marked a milestone for their network. HBO Max streamed the Olympics in Europe, including Italy and Germany, for the first time .
What the Valentine’s Day Post Reveals About Williams
The February 14 Instagram Stories post did more than confirm Williams has a girlfriend. It showed a man who values loyalty and the people who were there before the fame. His mention of the old Mazda Protegé “that smoked and squealed” painted a picture of leaner times when his partner stuck with him anyway.
The casual inclusion of Storrie in the photos also highlighted the genuine friendship between the co-stars. Their bond has been key to the show’s success. Storrie explained it simply on CTV’s The Society talk show. “Hudson and I are best friends. We became really close really quickly, and it’s much easier to have sex on camera and fall in love with someone if you’re friends” . The two even got matching tattoos to mark their friendship .
While Williams chose not to reveal his girlfriend’s name or when they started dating, the message was clear. He has someone who has been in his corner through the struggling years and now the chaotic fame. In an industry where relationships often crumble under pressure, that kind of history matters.
Also Read:
Keeping Some Things Private
Even with this public confirmation, Williams has made it clear he won’t be sharing everything. The photos showed his girlfriend but often from angles that kept her face somewhat hidden. He has not posted about her on his main grid, keeping the Valentine’s tribute to the more temporary Stories format.
This approach fits with what he has said about navigating fame. In a January appearance on the Shut Up Evan podcast, he talked about the difficulty of maintaining “some semblance of privacy” when fans recognize him in unexpected places. “I can’t possibly sign everyone’s thing, talk to everyone,” he said .
For now, fans of Heated Rivalry have gotten the confirmation many were curious about. Williams is taken, has been for a while, and his partner has been part of his journey long before the world knew his name. The Valentine’s Day post also gave a sweet bonus for those who love the show’s behind-the-scenes dynamics. Williams, his girlfriend, and Storrie genuinely enjoy spending time together, heart emojis and all.
As Heated Rivalry prepares to start filming its second season, Williams heads into production with his personal life more settled and his career at heights he could only dream of during those Mazda Protegé days. The car may be gone, but the person who rode with him through it all is still by his side.
Also Read: Love Story Review: Is the New Hulu Series on JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette Worth Your Time?
For more stories on your favorite stars and shows, keep visiting VvipTimes for the most accurate and up-to-date entertainment news from around the world.
