Heated Rivalry Star Reveals LOTS Of Closeted Pro Athletes Are In His DMs!

Heated Rivalry is really having an impact... and not just making millions horny! The gay hockey series has blown up in the last few weeks - mostly for good reasons, though there has been the occasional controversy. The HBO Max series primarily follows two closeted professional hockey players on rival teams as they strike up a secret, years-long romance. And the story is hitting very close to home for many viewers! Star Hudson Williams, who plays Shane Hollander, told Andy Cohen on a Wednesday edition of Andy Cohen Live that athletes have been sliding into his DMs! We mean, who can blame 'em? Who isn't sliding into this hunk's DMs these days?? View this post on Instagram A post shared by Numéro Netherlands (@numero_netherlands) But these athletes aren't there to thirst over him! (At least, not that he's admitting to. LOLz!) Their messages are much more important than that! Hudson said he and the book's author, Rachel Reid, have heard from many closeted athletes since the series premiered: "It's definitely the people who reach out somewhat anonymously who are like, 'I'm a professional player still, and I'm still in the closet.'" He said it's not just hockey players reaching out either - basketball and football stars are, as well. Wow! By the way, this speaks volumes considering there has never been an openly gay player in the NHL. Related: Kate Winslet Reveals Some Of 'First Intimate Experiences' Were With Women! The 24-year-old expressed: "They're reaching out to Rachel [Reid], our author, who will then kind of relay these lovely anonymous emails. And sometimes they're just reaching out privately through Instagram, and those ones are the ones that really just kind of hit you and go, 'Oh, so this is a fun show, and it's celebratory, but also sometimes it's just hitting people right in the nerve.'" How cool to be involved in a project that is not only sexy, fun, and popular but can make so many people feel seen, and hopefully, help break down stigmas so that these professionals don't need to be in the closet one day! Hear Hudson open up about the powerful reaction to the show (below): Reactions? Let us know (below). To learn more about advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community, check out https://www.glaad.org/. [Image via Hudson Williams/Instagram & Crave Originals/YouTube] The post <i>Heated Rivalry</i> Star Reveals LOTS Of Closeted Pro Athletes Are In His DMs! appeared first on Perez Hilton.