Jacob Tierney Shuts Down Invasive Questions About Actors' Sexualities on "Heated Rivalry"

In recent press interviews for the HBO Max original series "Heated Rivalry," showrunner Jacob Tierney intervened decisively when a journalist posed a question to actor Connor Storrie about whether he felt obligated to discuss his personal life in relation to the project. The question was rooted in the show's central theme of closeted characters navigating the consequences of hiding their true identities. Rather than allowing Storrie to respond, Tierney immediately took control of the conversation and provided a direct answer on behalf of both lead actors.

"I'll answer this for them. I don't think there's any reason to get into that stuff," Tierney stated firmly. "I'll tell you something about the casting of both of these roles. You can't ask questions like that when you're casting, right? It's actually against the law. So what you have to gauge is somebody's enthusiasm and willingness to do the work."

Tierney continued by emphasizing the professionalism and dedication both Williams and Storrie brought to their roles. "And that's what's so impressive about both of these guys, they came into this being like, 'Yeah, we're here to do this, and we are here to make this story feel authentic and to be as real as possible. 'And they fucking hit it out of the park." The moment quickly went viral across social media platforms, with many praising Tierney for his clear boundary-setting and protection of his actors'privacy.

The exchange between Tierney and the journalist reflects a persistent problem within entertainment media and fandom culture: the expectation that actors playing queer characters must publicly disclose or discuss their own sexual orientations. This phenomenon has created significant pressure on actors, sometimes forcing them into unwanted public disclosures before they feel ready to share such personal information.

One of the most notable examples occurred in October 2022 when "Heartstopper" star Kit Connor, who was 18 years old at the time, posted on X : "Back for a minute. I'm bi. Congrats for forcing an 18-year-old to out himself. I think some of you missed the point of the show. Bye." Connor's public statement highlighted the harmful consequences of fan speculation and media pressure regarding actors' personal lives.

The issue of queerbaiting accusations—where fans speculate that straight actors are deliberately misleading audiences by playing queer roles—has created an additional layer of complexity. Online discussions have included posts such as "Are the actors gay I'll be very upset if either of them are straight lol, "reflecting the intensity of fan investment and the entitlement some feel to know actors'personal information.

When asked directly about why people feel entitled to know an actor's sexuality, Tierney offered a nuanced response that acknowledges the emotional roots of such curiosity while firmly rejecting the practice. "I think it's because we as queer people are desperate for allyship, and I get it. But also, it's none of your business. I don't think it's coming from a mean place. I think it's coming from that parasocial thing where it's like, 'But they're my friends now!'"

As an out gay man himself, Tierney brings personal understanding to these dynamics. His willingness to shield his actors from invasive questions has earned significant praise from fans and industry observers who recognize the importance of respecting boundaries. X users responded enthusiastically to his stance, with one writing, "Jacob fielding a question about actor's sexualities in casting gay roles that was aimed at Connor oh my God Jacob Tierney protecting your actors I fucking love you."

Another X user expressed frustration with the persistence of these conversations: "I'm ngl it rly bothers me that we still make this a conversation after years of watching what happens to actors who're accused of queerbaiting. I don't think it should be a conflict at all, and I genuinely never want to see it come up in another interview? It's getting stupid atp."

At the heart of Tierney's response is a fundamental principle: actors should be evaluated based on the quality and authenticity of their performances, not on speculation about their personal lives. When asked about the fandom's fervent response to the show, Tierney acknowledged the energy while maintaining clear ethical boundaries.

Fans have rallied around this perspective, with responses emphasizing that Williams and Storrie were simply doing their jobs. One X user responded to speculation by writing, "Ffs. This was these actors'jobs. Were they believable? Delivered a great performance? That is ALL we need to care about. This was Jacob Tierney's response to such a question being asked in an interview. "

This perspective aligns with established legal and ethical standards in casting practices. As Tierney noted, asking about an actor's sexual orientation during the casting process is actually illegal in many jurisdictions, making it inappropriate to expect actors to disclose this information during press cycles.

"Heated Rivalry," which premiered on HBO Max, is based on Rachel Reid's "Game Changers" novel series and represents an important entry in the growing landscape of LGBTQ+ book adaptations. The show follows other notable adaptations including "Heartstopper, " "Red, White & Royal Blue, "and "Fellow Travelers. "

The series features explicit sexual content depicting intimate relationships between its two male leads, Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov . Tierney has been deliberate in his creative choices regarding how intimacy is portrayed on screen, emphasizing the importance of depicting consensual, pleasurable sexual experiences for queer characters—a representation that has historically been rare in mainstream media.

New episodes of "Heated Rivalry" air every Friday on HBO Max, and the show has generated significant fan engagement across social media platforms.

Tierney's approach to protecting his actors from invasive questioning establishes a potential model for how other creators and media professionals might handle similar situations. By taking a firm stance that actors'personal sexual orientations are irrelevant to their professional qualifications and performances, Tierney challenges the assumption that queer representation requires personal disclosure from actors.

This stance is particularly significant given the power dynamics inherent in press cycles, where actors often feel obligated to answer questions posed by journalists, even when those questions cross into personal territory. Tierney's intervention demonstrates how creators can use their platform and authority to establish and enforce boundaries that protect their cast members.

The positive reception of Tierney's response suggests a growing recognition within LGBTQ+ communities and among allies that respecting actors'privacy is compatible with—and indeed essential to—meaningful representation. By focusing on the quality of performances and the authenticity of storytelling rather than on actors'personal lives, the conversation around "Heated Rivalry"can center on what truly matters: the stories being told and the artistry involved in telling them.