Let’s get this out of the way: Heated Rivalry is very much a show for the gays. It’s sweaty, emotional, dramatic, and extremely generous with its chemistry. But something interesting happened along the way. Women started watching too—and not in a casual, background-noise way.
Judging by social media, group chats, and TikTok reactions, Heated Rivalry has become a shared obsession. It’s not just being watched; it’s being thirsted over. And according to Harper’s Bazaar, there’s a pretty simple reason why: it’s hot.
RELATED: So What’s Next for Heated Rivalry in Season Two?
Why Women Find It So Heated
Many women who watch Heated Rivalry say the same thing—it’s sexy in a way that feels refreshing. The sex scenes don’t feel awkward or one-sided. Shane and Ilya both want each other, both enjoy themselves, and neither feels like they’re there just to serve the other person’s fantasy.
That matters more than it sounds. An important point was made by a Harpers Bazaar article: a lot of straight sex scenes (and straight porn, frankly) are made with men in mind. They can feel uncomfortable, rushed, or even degrading to women. Watching two men who clearly care about each other—and who are equally into what’s happening—feels different. It feels balanced. And yes, that balance is a huge turn-on.
this scene is insane from both of points of view pic.twitter.com/Ac6QuXn1NI
— robin 🏒 heated rivalry spoilers (@rileyauras) December 13, 2025
It might surprise some people to learn that many women already consume gay male erotic content. Not because they want to be involved, but because it feels safer and more escapist. Heated Rivalry taps into that same appeal, just wrapped in a romance with hockey sticks and unresolved feelings.
Season Two: More Feelings, More Drama, More Heat
If season one was about tension and chemistry, season two is about feelings—big ones. Fans of Rachel Reid’s Game Changers books already know what’s coming: longing, emotional messiness, and the kind of slow-burn pain that makes you yell at your screen.
Connor Storrie has hinted that fans should read The Long Game if they want to know what happens next, which is honestly rude behavior if you ask us. Expect higher emotional stakes and, somehow, even more heated moments.
Escaping Straight Dating Fatigue
There’s another reason Heated Rivalry hits so hard right now. A lot of women are tired. Tired of dating apps. Tired of men who don’t listen. Tired of relationships that feel like work without reward.
Right now, being single is trendy. Complaining about men is normal. Even women in relationships openly admit that heterosexual dating can be exhausting. So watching a love story that exists completely outside those dynamics feels like a break. No gender expectations. No uneven emotional labor. Just two people figuring it out.
In that sense, Heated Rivalry isn’t just sexy—it’s comforting.
When Loving the Show Goes a Little Too Far
But here’s where things get tricky. A TikTok video by @theprincessandthepoppers recently reminded everyone that admiration can cross a line. The creator, who works at a gay bar, shared a story about a group of women who said they were there just to watch men make out—thanks to Heated Rivalry.
He shut it down quickly, explaining that gay men aren’t entertainment or props. Enjoy the space, have fun, but be respectful. The message landed because it’s something many gay men have experienced before: being fetishized under the disguise of appreciation.
@theprincessandthepoppers It was going so well smh #heatedrivalry #hockey
Keep It Heated, Not Weird
Gay spaces have always been safe spaces for women—and that’s a beautiful thing. But safety has to go both ways. Watching a show, thirsting respectfully, and enjoying queer stories is great. Treating real people like a live version of your favorite TV fantasy is not.
At the end of the day, Heated Rivalry works because it’s honest, sexy, and emotional. It invites everyone in without asking anyone to be an object. And if fans—gay, straight, or anywhere in between—can keep that same energy in real life, then maybe we all win.
Even with all that heat.
REFERENCE: Harper’s Bazaar