Heated Rivalry Responds To Jordan Firstman’s Criticism

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Jordan Firstman, known for his role in I Love LA, seems to be walking back some comments after the cast of Heated Rivalry publicly criticized his harsh review of their show.

This week, Firstman discussed his show, I Love LA, in an interview with Vulture. The conversation shifted when he was asked about the series Heated Rivalry, and he didn’t hesitate to share his strong opinions. Firstman criticized the show’s depiction of gay relationships, pointing out what he saw as inaccuracies. He specifically compared the show’s sex scenes to real-life intimacy, finding the portrayal unrealistic and unconvincing.

Yes, we really went for it with the show’s depiction of intimacy. But after watching the first two episodes of Heated Rivalry, I felt it didn’t quite capture authentic gay intimacy. It didn’t feel like how gay people actually connect physically. There’s so little representation of genuine gay sex on screen. One of my favorite moments is in the first sex scene, when both characters say “that part” after a specific act – that’s a real experience from my life. A guy I was with and I were obsessed with saying that phrase during intimacy, and we both reached climax and just burst out laughing. To me, that feels genuinely gay. I don’t think a straight writer could have created that moment; they wouldn’t understand the unique connection and camaraderie of gay sex. So, I definitely pushed for that level of authenticity.

The actor criticized the audience’s preference for a film he felt exploited a gay storyline for shock value, describing it as “two straight hockey players pretending to be gay.” He argued they should instead watch movies that genuinely explore and understand same-sex relationships. He highlighted his own film, Rotting in the Sun, as a more authentic portrayal of gay life, even calling it one of the most realistic films on the topic in the last ten years.

I really felt like Rotting captured the reality of gay life better than most films of the last ten years. However, audiences seem more interested in Heated Rivalry. I go to art hoping to be challenged and to think deeply, but it seems many people just want simple entertainment – like watching a movie where straight hockey players fake a gay relationship.

News of Firstman’s critique of the show Heated Rivalry quickly spread to the cast. François Arnaud, who plays Scott Hunter, responded directly to Firstman in the comments section of a Just Jared Instagram post. He challenged Firstman’s assertion that the show wasn’t realistic, questioning whether there’s only one correct way to film a sex scene. Arnaud also noted that the behavior of two men secretly in love would likely differ from that of two openly gay men.

Hudson Williams, who plays Shane Hollander, shared a screenshot of the comment made by the actor from Rotting in the Sun along with a post from Just Jared. Despite the criticism, Williams was supportive, encouraging his followers to still watch I Love LA, praising the performances of Firstman and the rest of the cast, and adding that he enjoyed the show himself.

Firstman apologized and retracted his previous statement, acknowledging he’d spoken thoughtlessly. He clarified that he actually liked Heated Rivalry and admitted he sometimes struggles to stay quiet. He promised to be more considerate going forward.

Heated Rivalry is now available to stream on HBO Max.

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2025-12-14 02:38