Hudson Williams 'tried very hard' to attend GLAAD awards with his Heated Rivalry family

Hudson Williams says he did his best to attend the GLAAD Media Awards with his Heated Rivalry castmates — even though he ultimately wasn’t able to make the trip.

The actor addressed his absence in the comments of a social media post celebrating the show’s big night, where fans shared photos of the cast and producers together after the series won Best New TV Series.

“I tried very hard to be there but it was not possible,” Williams wrote in response to the post, which quickly drew thousands of reactions from fans.

Photo: Threads @hudsonwilliams

At the ceremony, the Heated Rivalry team presented a united front as stars Connor Storrie, Robbie GK, François Arnaud, Nadine Bhabs and Christina Chang joined producers Brendan Brady and Jacob Tierney on stage to accept the award. The group also sat together during the ceremony, celebrating the milestone for the series, which has quickly built a global fanbase.

The show, centered on a high-stakes hockey rivalry and a secret romance between two professional players — has become a breakout hit, praised for its LGBTQ+ representation and storytelling.

Earlier in the evening, some of Williams’ co-stars spoke about the show’s growing global reach and the impact of queer representation. During interviews on the red carpet, Robbie GK said he hopes queer athletes feel supported by the people around them.

“I hope the people around them are also cheering them on,” he said, noting that professional sports can sometimes be a difficult environment for LGBTQ+ players.

The GLAAD win marks another milestone for Heated Rivalry, which continues to gain international attention — and, judging by the reactions online, a fiercely loyal fanbase cheering the cast on every step of the way.