Rachel Reid on Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie’s teen idol treatment after Heated Rivalry

“That’s something you would normally only see for maybe a young pop star," she said

Rachel Reid, author of the Game Changers book series, has opened up about the overwhelming response to the television adaptation of Heated Rivalry — and the unexpected rise of its stars, Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie.

Speaking about the show’s growing cultural impact, Reid said it has been “really thrilling” to watch the actors receive what she described as teen idol–level attention, a phenomenon she noted is usually reserved for young pop stars.

“It’s been really interesting seeing Connor and Williams get the teen idol treatment kind of right now,” Reid said. “That’s something you would normally only see for maybe a young pop star — but this is for work that’s really adult and really high quality, and I think that’s really cool.”

 

 

 

 

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Since the release of Heated Rivalry, both Williams and Storrie have seen a rapid rise in visibility, with viral fan edits, packed public appearances, fashion week invitations and intense online engagement surrounding their performances. The response has positioned them as breakout stars in a way rarely seen for actors in a mature, character-driven romance series.

Reid emphasized that what makes the moment especially meaningful is the quality of the work behind the attention.

“I hope that they’re proud of that,” she said, adding that she feels grateful simply to be part of the project. “I’m proud to be just a part of the show in any way. I think that we really did kind of all find each other to make this amazing thing.”

The author described the adaptation process as a collaborative effort that brought together the right creative voices at the right time — something she says she is deeply proud of.

“Which I’m — yeah — just extremely proud of it,” Reid added.

Heated Rivalry, adapted from Reid’s beloved Game Changers series, has been widely praised for its emotional depth, chemistry between its leads and nuanced portrayal of rivalry, vulnerability and intimacy. The show’s success has not only introduced the story to a broader audience but has also elevated its cast into the center of pop culture conversation.