Hudson Williams jokes about contract clause requiring makeup team to wear his leopard-print photo

Hudson Williams is having some fun with one of his most talked-about on-screen looks.

The Heated Rivalry actor recently shared a behind-the-scenes photo on Instagram featuring himself and members of the show, Yaga's, hair and makeup team posing in a dressing room. In the photo, Williams sits shirtless in a chair wearing a leopard-print robe or jacket, while the crew surrounding him all sport matching shirts printed with an image of the actor’s now-famous shirtless leopard-print photo.

Alongside the image, Williams jokingly wrote, “It’s in my contract that the hair/makeup team needs to be wearing a shirt or hoodie with a shirtless photo of me paired with leopard print. Or else they get fired and blacklisted.”

Photo: Threads @hudsonwilliamsofficial

The post was clearly meant in jest, but it quickly caught fans’ attention, with many amused by the playful dynamic between the actor and the crew behind the scenes.

Williams has become widely recognized for his role as Shane Hollander in Heated Rivalry, the hockey romance drama based on the popular novels by Rachel Reid. The series follows the intense rivalry-turned-romance between NHL stars Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, played by Connor Storrie.

Since the show’s debut, Williams has gained a growing fan base online, with many viewers sharing clips and images from the series across social media. His leopard-print themed look, which appears in several promotional moments and behind-the-scenes posts, has become something of a running joke among fans.

The actor frequently shares glimpses from the set with his castmates and crew, highlighting the camaraderie behind the production. His latest post continues that trend, offering a lighthearted peek at the team that helps bring the characters to life on screen.

Heated Rivalry has quickly become a breakout hit in the sports-drama and LGBTQ+ romance space, drawing attention for its adaptation of Reid’s bestselling book series and the chemistry between its lead actors.