Gay Hockey Romance: Yearning and Popularity Explained
- Heated rivalry, the Canadian series streaming on HBO Max based on the bestselling romance novels by Rachel Reid, has taken over group chats, algorithms, and brains.
- But for all the talk of gay hockey smut, the show at its core is very sweet.
- Emma Glassman-Hughes is a writer, reporter, and editor at Popsugar, and she doesn't think Heated Rivalry is an anomaly.
Heated rivalry, the Canadian series streaming on HBO Max based on the bestselling romance novels by Rachel Reid, has taken over group chats, algorithms, and brains. For those who have not watched, it follows queer, closeted professional ice hockey players as they navigate falling in love and all the angst that comes with it. There’s also a lot of sex. So. Much. Sex.
But for all the talk of gay hockey smut, the show at its core is very sweet.
Emma Glassman-Hughes is a writer, reporter, and editor at Popsugar, and she doesn’t think Heated Rivalry is an anomaly. She says the show is accomplished as it taps into a universal experience: yearning. “I think the people are yearning every which way,” she told Vox. “In a more classic sense, we’ve seen the success of Heated Rivalry and The Summer I Turned Pretty. Both those have blown up and really are good examples of how everyone is just excited right now about the burn of a true crush.”
On the latest episode of Explain It to Me, Vox’s weekly call-in podcast, we spoke with Glassman-Hughes about pining in pop culture and what it says about us.
Below is an excerpt of our conversation, edited for length and clarity.You can listen to the full episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify,or wherever you get podcasts. If you’d like to submit a question, send an email to askvox@vox.com or call 1-800-618-8545.
The Appeal of “Heated Rivalry” and Queer Representation
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The reality show Heated Rivalry is generating meaningful discussion, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community, and sparking conversations about depictions of desire and yearning in media. The show’s popularity stems, in part, from its portrayal of vulnerability in queer men, a representation frequently enough lacking in mainstream entertainment.
Yearning vs. Wishing in Media
A central argument, detailed in a Popsugar essay, distinguishes between passive wishing and active yearning, particularly in how these are portrayed for women and queer individuals. The essay posits that while women are often depicted as objects of desire, portrayals of women actively yearning are less common.
This distinction is crucial. Passive wishing implies a hope for something without significant action or emotional investment, while yearning involves a deep, visceral desire that can be all-consuming. As of January 19, 2026, there have been no comprehensive studies quantifying the ratio of “wishing” to “yearning” depictions of women in media, but anecdotal evidence suggests the essay’s claim resonates with many viewers.
the author of the essay notes a particularly insightful comment received on instagram following the Popsugar post. The commenter observed a pattern of media depicting women who desire but are consistently denied fulfillment. This observation highlights a desire for more complex and emotionally raw portrayals of female and queer desire-not simply wistful longing, but the intense, sometimes destructive, emotions that accompany deep yearning. The commenter’s point emphasizes a need for narratives that show “the tornadoes and the storms and the shattered glass of it all.”
Why Vulnerable masculinity Resonates
The show Heated Rivalry is attracting a queer female audience because of its depiction of vulnerable masculinity. Traditional media frequently enough presents men as stoic and emotionally unavailable. The show’s willingness to explore emotional depth in its male contestants offers a refreshing alternative. This representation allows viewers to see a different side of masculinity, one that is more relatable and emotionally honest.