Carly Rae Jepsen has shared a personal connection to the hit hockey romance series Heated Rivalry. The singer recently revealed that her baby son’s name is Ilya, which happens to be the name of a main character from the show. She called the series “an incredible show” and hinted that the name might have been inspired by it.
The “Call Me Maybe” singer welcomed her first child, a baby boy, in March 2026 with her husband, music producer Cole M.G.N. (real name Cole Marsden Greif-Neill). The couple kept their family life mostly private after the birth. But during a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Jepsen opened up about becoming a mother and shared her son’s name for the first time.
The Connection Between Ilya and ‘Heated Rivalry’
Jepsen, 40, told The Hollywood Reporter that her son’s name is Ilya. In the show Heated Rivalry, Ilya Rozanov is one of the main characters, played by actor Connor Storrie. The character is a Russian professional ice hockey player who has a secret romance with his rival, Shane Hollander, played by Hudson Williams.
When asked about the name, Jepsen said:
“It was an incredible show. Ilya is the name of my son. Maybe, not maybe because of that show.”
She kept the connection playful and did not clearly confirm if the show directly inspired the name. But the timing makes it a strong possibility. Heated Rivalry first aired in November 2025, and Jepsen gave birth in March 2026. The show was fresh in viewers’ minds during her pregnancy.
Jepsen’s Love for the Show Goes Beyond the Name
Jepsen is not just a casual viewer. She is a big fan of Heated Rivalry. Her connection to the series actually started before it even aired. She was asked to write a song for the first season. But the deal did not work out because the show did not have enough budget for her involvement.
Despite that, Jepsen remains interested in contributing to the series. She told The Hollywood Reporter that writing a song for the second season would be a “dream” for her.
Jacob Tierney, the creator and director of Heated Rivalry, has also expressed interest in working with her. He said on the “What Chaos!” podcast that he wanted to ask Jepsen to write an original song for the first season. He mentioned that she was on his playlist while he was writing the show. Now, with Season 2 in production, there is a chance that collaboration could happen.
What Is ‘Heated Rivalry’ About?
Heated Rivalry is a Canadian series that became a surprise hit when it debuted in November 2025. The show is based on the books by Rachel Reid. It follows the story of two professional hockey players, Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander, who have a secret romance that spans several years.
The series gained a large and loyal fan base quickly. It is available on Crave in Canada and HBO Max in the United States. Season 2 is currently being filmed in Toronto and is scheduled to be released in April 2027.
A New Album on the Way
Jepsen’s interview with The Hollywood Reporter also covered her upcoming music. She is set to release a new double album called Day and Night on September 18, 2026. This will be her first album since The Loveliest Time in 2023.
The album has two sides. Jepsen described the “Day” side as having a feeling like jasmine or daffodils, and the “Night” side as ocean breeze, pine, and citrus. She shared the tracklist on social media and explained that the album was inspired by a gift from her husband.
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A Personal Connection That Fans Are Talking About
Jepsen’s revelation about her son’s name has created a fun talking point for fans of both the singer and the series. Whether the name was directly inspired by the show or just a happy coincidence, it adds a personal layer to her connection with Heated Rivalry.
The singer and her husband got married in October 2025 in an intimate ceremony at the Chelsea Hotel’s Bard Room. They have been in a relationship since 2022. Jepsen announced her pregnancy in November 2025 with black-and-white photos on Instagram.
After the birth of her son in March, she shared a mirror selfie on Instagram Stories, holding her newborn and writing, “Last 2 weeks have been the best of my life. Welcome to the world little one”.
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