Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie’s Sexy Year in Photos

Naturally, the biggest show of the year turned its two leading men into overnight superstars.

Heated Rivalry took the world by storm when it premiered during Thanksgiving weekend in 2025, and viewers fell more in love with Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams with every weekly episode. Based on Rachel Reid’s popular sports romance novel of the same name, the series depicts the rivals-to-lovers story of ice hockey prodigies Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov. Williams and Storrie charmed the world with their heart-wrenching performances and intense on-screen chemistry.

At the top of 2026, they hit the ground running, making viral press appearances around the world, from late-night shows in New York City to Fashion Weeks in Europe. The two made special appearances on the awards circuit and topped off a busy first half of the year with their Met Gala debuts. In August, they returned to Canada as megastars to shoot Heated Rivalry‘s highly anticipated second season.

As part of our 2026 Sexiest Man Alive week — and ahead of season 2, expected in 2027 — look back at Williams and Storrie’s memorably sexy year that took them from waiters to the hottest names in town.

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November 2025: Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie in ‘Heated Rivalry’

The tension between Williams’ Shane Hollander and Storrie’s Ilya Rozanov had the world hooked. Who knew ice hockey could be so hot?

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January: Hudson Williams on ‘The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon’

Williams made his late-night show debut on The Tonight Show on Jan. 7, and as he entered Rockefeller Center, hordes of fans waited outside for a glimpse of the new star.

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January: Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams at the Golden Globes

On the heels of Heated Rivalry‘s success, the Golden Globes asked Storrie and Williams to present an award at the Jan. 11 show. Williams, dressed in Giorgio Armani, and Storrie, in Saint Laurent, presented Best Supporting Actress in a TV Series to Adolescence’s Erin Doherty after performing a bit about everyone in the audience seeing them strip down on screen.

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January: Connor Storrie on ‘Late Night with Seth Meyers’

A day after the Globes, Storrie flew back to N.Y.C. to make his first late-night appearance with Seth Meyers.

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January: Hudson Williams at Milan Fashion Week

Williams looked spiffy in a tailored gray suit for the Giorgio Armani show during Milan Fashion Week on Jan. 19.

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January: Hudson Williams at the 2026 Olympics Torch Relay

Ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics, Williams and Storrie had the honor of participating in the global torch relay leading up to the opening ceremony.

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January: Connor Storrie at the 2026 Olympics Torch Relay

The Olympics Instagram shared photos of the duo carrying the flame on Jan. 25.

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January: Connor Storrie at Paris Fashion Week

A tucked tie is totally in, and if you don’t believe us, believe Storrie at the Saint Laurent Paris Fashion Week show on Jan. 27.

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February: Connor Storrie Hosts ‘Saturday Night Live’

Just two months into celebrity status, Storrie hosted Saturday Night Live — and as fans hoped, Williams made a cameo to support his pal and costar.

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March: Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams at the ‘Vanity Fair’ Oscar Afterparty

They caught everyone’s eye with the sheer boldness of their looks at the Vanity Fair Oscars afterparty on March 15, baring their muscles in coordinated translucent tops.

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April: Hudson Williams Stars in a Peloton Ad

For a sexy Peloton ad released on April 14, Williams flashed his abs and biceps in a sweaty workout video set to David Bowie’s “Fame.”

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May: Connor Storrie at the Met Gala

Saint Laurent — for which Storrie is now a global ambassador — dressed the actor for his first Met Gala appearance on May 4, and he rocked this sleeveless look on the carpet.

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May: Hudson Williams at the Met Gala

Williams also took a risk in custom Balenciaga, wearing an open-faced powder-blue bolero jacket and multi-colored eyeshadow for the May 4 gala.

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May: Hudson Williams at the Met Gala Afterparties

For the afterparties, Williams changed into a cutesy ERL look complete with a beret, knee-high socks, a cummerbund and a sexy pair of shades.

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May: Connor Storrie at the Met Gala Afterparties

Storrie (who changed into a tan suit and no shirt) and Williams partied together throughout the night, kicking off the festivities at GQ‘s afterparty.

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May: Hudson Williams at the Canadian Screen Awards

Williams won Best Lead Performer, Drama Series for his Heated Rivalry role at the Canadian Screen Awards on May 31. The series also took home Best Dramatic Series and 14 more trophies.

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August: Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams Film Season 2

After spending a few months out of the public eye, Williams and Storrie were spotted in tank tops heading to a Toronto gym on Aug. 2, ahead of production on Heated Rivalry season 2.

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September: Hudson Williams Appears at TIFF

The Canadian actor signed autographs for fans at the Toronto International Film Festival, where he spoke at a “Making Waves” conversation on Sept. 17.

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September: Connor Storrie at the Creative Arts Emmys

Nominated for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his Saturday Night Live hosting gig, Storrie channeled Ilya with a buzz cut at the Creative Arts Emmys and brought his mother as his plus-one. (That sound you heard was the hearts breaking of fans who had become extremely attached to Storrie’s curls.)

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October: Connor Storrie at the Academy Museum Gala

Storrie recently stepped out for the Academy Museum Gala, where he was photographed hanging with celebrities including BLACKPINK’s Rosé and Hannah Waddingham.

Read the original article on People