How ‘Heated Rivalry’ became a joyful community: ‘It gave us a reason to dance’

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Imagine you’re on TikTok and a video catches your eye: it’s a lively dance floor in Los Angeles, dimly lit and full of energy. Clips from the popular queer hockey romance, “Heated Rivalry,” are playing on the walls. The crowd is singing along to upbeat songs by artists like Britney Spears, Charli XCX, and Bad Bunny, with a nostalgic Paramore sing-along mixed in. Every time a memorable scene featuring the show’s main couple, Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander (played by Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams), appears on the screen, the crowd cheers.

A TikTok video shared by Raven Yamamoto from a Heated Rivalry Night event at Vermont Hollywood included the message: “If you’re struggling, don’t give up – come to Heated Rivalry Night instead.”

The event was playfully ironic, but the enthusiasm was genuine. The dance party at the Vermont, hosted by Club 90s, captured the dreamy, escapist vibe loved by fans of the recent hit HBO Max show – and the book series it’s based on. The show, originally from Canada’s Crave, has been renewed for another season and launched the careers of its two lead actors, whose passionate chemistry has sparked a dedicated fanbase and inspired related events mirroring the show’s unique culture.

Heated Rivalry Night, created by DJ Jeffrey Lyman of Club 90s, started as one popular event and quickly grew. Due to high demand, they’ve added extra dates, including another show at the Vermont on Sunday, and are planning over 100 similar events in cities like Brooklyn, Washington D.C., Chicago, and London over the next few months. The events have gained a lot of attention on social media, especially TikTok, with videos from the dance floor helping to spread the word. Surprisingly, the idea almost didn’t happen! Lyman hadn’t initially considered a themed night because the show’s music isn’t typically suited for dancing, but his enthusiasm for the series and a determined attitude led him to make it work.

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Heated Rivalry Night combines live music from various genres with scenes from the TV show projected around the venue. (Ronaldo Bolanos/Los Angeles Times) Kaliah Dabee performs during the event at the Vermont Hollywood. (Ronaldo Bolanos/Los Angeles Times)

“Me and my co-video creator were just working nonstop all week long figuring out how to make the night work. We found all these edits on TikTok and trimmed them into full-on music videos for the night, and then put together the show in four days. I had no idea what to expect. The response was just insane,” Lyman recalls. “Every single post I saw on TikTok was from the night, with hundreds of thousands of views and comments. I was like, all right, we gotta get this thing going because everyone was requesting us in every single city.”

The event has become a welcoming place where fans connect and feel understood, brought together by the show’s heartfelt moments, passionate relationships, and emotional depth. It often leaves attendees wondering if the kind of love depicted is possible in their own lives.

Yamamoto said nights like this are what make life enjoyable, and they had a fantastic time – the most fun at a club in ages. Their whole friend group immediately loved the event. Yamamoto also pointed out how easy it is to feel isolated even when surrounded by people, even at gatherings where everyone shares a common interest.

Yamamoto explains that Heated Rivalry Night feels special, with a welcoming and friendly atmosphere. He says it’s so easy to connect with people that you could arrive by yourself and easily make ten new friends.

Lyman envisioned a welcoming community where everyone – regardless of age, gender, or sexual orientation – could connect and enjoy the show’s message together.

He believes the show is so popular because it’s visually stunning and welcoming. He explains that his goal with every event is to create a completely accepting environment where everyone feels comfortable being themselves without fear of judgment.

Music is another key element of that celebration.

I want the music to reflect everyone’s background. As a Latino, I had to include Bad Bunny, and I’m really mixing in all kinds of genres,” Lyman explains. “The music is as diverse as the people who come here. One night you might hear CupcakKe, then Robyn, Chappell Roan, Beyoncé, and even Lady Gaga’s classic “Telephone,” plus our theme song, “Rivalry” by Peter Peter. It’s a free-for-all!

Certain moments are particularly moving. A highlight from one Heated Rivalry Night was when Lyman showed a video of Shane coming out to his parents, using Lorde’s song “Supercut” as the soundtrack.

I was incredibly moved the first time I saw that scene – I actually cried because the audience was so supportive of the character coming out,” says Lyman. He explains that he hadn’t been able to come out to his own family yet, and their initial reaction wasn’t accepting. “To see people years later screaming and cheering for that same moment was amazing. It really showed me how much progress we’ve made with acceptance, and it made me so happy.”

How the show has created a community

Whether you ask someone watching “Heated Rivalry” for the many times, a fan dissecting a scene on TikTok, or a dedicated fan sporting the show’s merchandise, the message is the same: the world of “Heated Rivalry” is comforting and enjoyable to experience again and again. The show’s popularity in Los Angeles has even sparked related events like themed yoga and comedy nights, and fan-created items – from blankets and t-shirts to custom hockey jerseys – are everywhere.

Jose Bizuet, who is becoming a teacher, is enjoying the “Heated Rivalry” series, though he’s only seen four episodes so far. While waiting to get inside the event in Vermont, he shared why he decided to come.

He shared that he often feels unwelcome in many places because of his identity, but he’s confident this will be a safe and accepting environment. He’s really looking forward to enjoying himself, spending time with friends, and connecting with others.

The party featured a mix of popular songs and early 2000s hits, along with videos of Ilya and Shane and fan-made edits. One popular edit paired scenes of the character Scott Hunter (played by François Arnaud) with Usher’s “Daddy’s Home,” while another, famously shared on Google Drive, set clips of Ilya and Shane to Megan Thee Stallion’s “Big Ole Freak.” This Google Drive edit became a beloved inside joke among fans because it was hard to find, and seeing it played at the party sparked enthusiastic cheers from the crowd.

Rachel Jackson and Nicole Chamberlain both share a love for hockey and romantic stories. Jackson roots for the Nashville Predators, while Chamberlain is a fan of the Chicago Blackhawks. They were excited about a particular series, saying, ‘It was exactly what we enjoy, and we ended up reading many of the books in it,’ Jackson explained while waiting in line at an event in Vermont.

You know, what really struck me about this project is the sense of togetherness it fostered. Chamberlain put it perfectly – it’s just wonderful to witness a community genuinely embracing and supporting a story they connect with. It’s more than just a film; it’s a shared experience, and that’s really special.

After a period of isolation and too much time online, people expressed a strong desire for places where they could connect in person. Queer nightlife has always been a safe haven and a source of community, and Heated Rivalry Night fits perfectly into that tradition.

As a huge movie fan, I was really touched by how popular ‘Heated Rivalry’ became here in the States, especially considering everything the current administration has been doing to harm the LGBTQ+ community. Being able to celebrate a film centered around queer love, surrounded by other queer folks and allies who get it, honestly felt like a really powerful act of defiance – a way to say we’re here, we matter, and our stories deserve to be told.

Assessing ‘Heated Rivalry’s’ effect and influence

Rachel Reid, who wrote the books the show is based on, is amazed by how passionate and widespread the show’s fanbase has become. Fans around the world are celebrating “Heated Rivalry” in creative ways – from watch parties in the Philippines to drag shows, themed skating events, and gatherings at popular spots like Hi Tops gay sports bar in West Hollywood. She’s seen fans connect with the story on both a large, public scale and in smaller, more personal ways.

Reid says she wishes she could connect with everyone who’s been touched by this project. Being part of something that brings people joy and builds supportive, safe spaces is incredibly rewarding, and it’s been the most fulfilling aspect of the whole experience.

She’s received messages from viewers saying the show inspired them to look for love again. Many told her they’d lost hope in relationships, but ‘Heated Rivalry’ made them want to give it another shot and believe in romance. She says hearing those stories has been amazing.

I’ve really been enjoying the sweet and genuine romance between the characters in “Heated Rivalry.” It’s been so refreshing to see! The show features François Arnaud, Robbie G.K., Connor Storrie, and Hudson Williams, and their chemistry is amazing.

A key element of the show is its focus on queer joy and pleasure, which is woven throughout even the most emotionally challenging moments – and that’s by design. Unlike many queer TV shows and films, it deliberately avoids the typical depictions of trauma, hardship, and death, offering a refreshing change of pace.

Reid emphasizes how crucial this aspect was, not just for her, but also for the show’s creator, Jacob Tierney. They quickly agreed during their initial discussions that the show should be uplifting and explore sensuality in a positive, non-punitive way. Reid believes this shared vision is clearly reflected in the final product.

Jacob Tierney, the creator of the TV series, shared a similar view. He said Rachel’s book is full of joyful and honest queer representation, and he was immediately drawn to adapting its funny, heartwarming, and romantic story, especially because positive endings for LGBTQ+ characters are often missing from television and film.

He told Reid he wanted to honor the book with the seriousness it deserves.

Tierney explains they wanted to share a story that focuses on the joy and beauty of queer relationships, especially because these stories are often overshadowed by hardship or simply ignored. Seeing the series connect people and encourage important discussions about representation has been incredibly rewarding.

You know, as the party was wrapping up in Hollywood, everyone was still hanging around, all flushed and happy. We were all a little sweaty, voices hoarse from singing along with each other – even people we’d just met felt like old friends. It had that kind of vibe.

The crowd overflowed onto the sidewalk, buzzing with excitement about the next event. For a few hours, the energy from the performance had become real – a reminder that the perfect combination of music, atmosphere, and company can create something truly special.

While “Heated Rivalry” won’t solve all the world’s problems, it’s clearly had a positive impact, not just in Los Angeles but elsewhere. As Yamamoto puts it, “It gave us a reason to dance. We haven’t had many of those moments in the last year.”

“Joy is resistance, too.”

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2026-01-18 14:32