Sometimes a beautiful man bursting with charisma comes into your life via a gay smut hockey show you heard about on TikTok, and everything changes. Like last week, I would’ve said Olivia Rodrigo is my favorite celebrity. But this week, she’s tied with Hudson Williams, aka Shane Hollander on Heated Rivalry. The talented Gen Z actor is skyrocketing to fame as we speak, thanks to the girls and gays entering a collective Heated Rivalry-induced psychosis. (Beyond thrilled to be here.) Between his breathtaking performance on the show, his refreshing attitude, his entertaining interviews, and his deeply unserious approach to celeb beef, there are roughly a million reasons to adore this Canadian icon. We can only hope he’s cast in many, many more Mona Lisa-level works of art, but for now, I’m celebrating the news that the Crave/HBO masterpiece has already been renewed for a second season. Cannot wait for many more hours of Shane yearning and bottom-ing.

Siri, play “Perfect Celebrity” by Lady Gaga as I present a long list of reasons why Hudson Williams has been promoted from waiter at The Old Spaghetti Factory (the Canadian Olive Garden) to my new favorite celebrity.

Reasons Why Hudson Williams Is My New Favorite Celeb

• The chaotic and animated 20-minute demonstration of his beauty routine for The Cut, featuring commentary like, “I’m just gonna use my fuckin’ phalanges.”
• His beautiful, pure friendship with Connor Storrie is everything to me. Get you a bestie who looks at you the way these two look at each other.
• That viral back arch — “Yes, I’ve kept tabs on my sluttly little back arch… I’m very proud. It’s my proudest achievement. My dad loves it.”

• His insanely chill, mature reaction to Jordan Firstman declaring Heated Rivalry is “just not gay. It’s not how gay people fuck.” (Hudson responded with an IG Story praising Jordan and I Love LA, and the actors have since worked it out on the remix at some random gift-wrapping event)
• How much he honestly empathizes with and cares for his character — Hudson explained to The Hollywood Reporter that his dad is on the spectrum, and he’s “always felt very connected to him.” He brought some of his dad to Shane, who HR author Rachel Reid has said is autistic.
• That face card. No explanation needed.
• This man is reaching new levels of freaked out (complimentary). Typical quote ex.: “When there was not a straw in my drink, I would ask them to give me one. I’m always putting things in my mouth and I”ll continue to do that if we get another season. There’ll just be more things in my mouth.”

• He’s deeply unwell, the marker of a true everyman in 2025. “I have ADHD, I’m unmedicated, currently, for the last while, so my social battery can just tap [out] pretty quick,” Hudson told THR. When I’ve had coffee, and I’ve had a nap, I let myself be chaotic. I let myself off the leash. I try to say, whatever mood I’m in, just be Canadian, don’t be mean. Whatever they get, they get.”
• His underrated lewks on this press tour (can we talk about the sharp all-black fits and the variety of chic jackets?!)
• All the videos of him being super sweet to HR fans.
• Extra points for being Canadian and radiating warm, serene Canadian vibes.