'Heated Rivalry' star Connor Storrie confesses he dressed as twerking Miley Cyrus at 13

Connor Storrie, the breakout star of the hit HBO Max queer hockey romance Heated Rivalry, recently opened up about an unexpected moment from his youth and offered fans fun insights into his rise to fame and life on set in a candid interview.

Storrie, who plays Russian hockey phenom Ilya Rozanov, revealed that when he was 13 he chose a bold Halloween costume that has since become a source of laughter and nostalgia.

"Not to expose myself a little bit, but…it was a big cultural moment at the time,” he said of dressing up as Miley Cyrus from her controversial 2013 MTV VMAs performance. “Me and my best friend, I was Miley Cyrus for Halloween and he was Robin Thicke.” Storrie added with a laugh, “I think those photos don’t exist anymore. I want to plant the seed for people to try to find them, but I don’t think they will.”

The anecdote came after Storrie joined Abbott Elementary star Janelle James at a press event announcing the SAG/Actor Awards nominations, underscoring how far he’s come from his middle school days in Texas to becoming one of television’s most talked‑about actors.

Storrie’s breakout role as Ilya has been a whirlwind: Heated Rivalry became a viral sensation after its debut, with memes and clips of the steamy series spreading across social media.

In earlier interviews, Storrie has explained how he approached the role with physicality and dedication, even opting to do his audition self‑tape shirtless to reflect the show’s frank depiction of intimacy.

He said at the time, “I was like, ‘If we’re doing a show that heavily involves sex… So I took off my shirt, even though it didn’t say that.”

Offscreen, Storrie’s rise has led to new opportunities and appearances on national television, including an upcoming late‑night debut on Late Night With Seth Meyers and a slot at the 2026 Golden Globe Awards alongside co‑star Hudson Williams.

The Heated Rivalry phenomenon has not only elevated Storrie’s profile but also sparked broader interest in his craft. In fan discussions and press coverage, viewers have noted his meticulous approach to accents and character work, with Storrie reportedly maintaining a Russian accent on set to help anchor his portrayal of Ilya.

Additionally, Storrie and Williams have discussed their fearless approach to filming the show’s notorious intimate scenes, saying they had “no boundaries” during those performances.