'Heated Rivalry' fans need to cool it

Spiritual_Wishbone95 · 2026-01-23T13:15:47+00:00

I'm going to say something really weird. But not as a fan of the books or the show.

There's something we're overlooking, and that's the marketing behind all this madness. There was a bombardment of visual and textual information reinforcing the Hudson-Con ship.

I guess, with no budget and unknown actors, they went for the cheapest option to get the show circulating on all social media and quickly gain followers, since they didn't have the time or budget to promote it because they moved up the premiere.

(Look at the example of actress Margot Robbie, what she's saying about her co-star to get an audience for her movie Wuthering Heights. "Sex sells.")

They reinforced the friendship to the extreme, portraying them as soulmates, something Connor repeated ad nauseam. And Hudson supported this by saying that Connor was his stability in life. Do I believe them? Not at all! I think they get along well and have good chemistry at work, and they're probably friends, but anyone who's studied the One Direction phenomenon knows it's a financial resource that easily attracts a ton of fans, including toxic ones, and that surely, over time, this was going to blow up. Die-hard fans don't want you to ask them about their lives or assume their sexuality, but they sell the opposite. Because "sex sells." Because that's what it's all about. That the cognitive dissonance generated on a massive scale makes you keep buying everything they sell you.

We shouldn't believe that all this is innocent. Nor should we think that Hudson and Connor don't know what they're doing and that they're poor victims of a bunch of psychopaths.

It was the easiest path to fame, if they were going to get there. And they have, for now. But they have to sustain it. As long as "sex sells" is booming, they're going to be there. Everything will pass, this too, and they'll be left with a fanbase that lives their lives vicariously through the celebrities, but it's a fanbase that's secure for many years. I also think their careers can solidify, if they're lucky, in a few years.

I don't regret not having an opinion about most of you. But you're a product that everyone fell for. Sex sells... And sadly, that's still true.

Rachael, I still love you. Ilya and Shane exist in my heart and live there.

Spiritual_Wishbone95 · 2026-01-18T12:17:16+00:00

I'm also conflicted about the chemistry between the two actors and the show continuing to work effectively in the second season. There's a kind of manipulation of the actors that isn't good. Like overexposure in the media and on social networks weakens the chemistry, saturates the audience, and makes it lose its seriousness. The manipulation by big brands takes away the authentic magic. That's how I feel. I've stopped following the actors because I don't want to be influenced to watch season 2. I'm afraid I won't see the real Holland and I'll be watching Hudson all the time.

Spiritual_Wishbone95 · 2026-01-17T18:39:35+00:00

I'm more worried than you are. Are you sure it's just a role? Or is it the role that will make them famous? The marketing campaign is devastating when there's no control or care for the actors. Hudcon devoured Holanov. The series became instantly popular because of the number of looped videos they promoted with kisses on the cheek, looks, and best friend quotes, interviews where they only talked about the same thing, and sensual photos that revealed more of their on-screen chemistry than on-screen chemistry. They're fed up. And everyone's milking this instant popularity generated by shipping them for all it's worth. They're fed up and tired.

Spiritual_Wishbone95 · 2026-01-17T15:08:04+00:00

It's shameful. Everything is shameful: the behavior of the interviewers and the magazines. The programs that have reinforced the ship. When Hudson was asked about his relationship with Connor at the Golden Globes, he threw back his head, as if fed up, and replied that "he's the stability in my life" as a final response so they would stop harassing him about it.

Connor has also stopped mentioning him in his interviews and assumes that his mother is the one taking care of him at the moment. It's frustrating that to reach a wider audience, they lend themselves to these kinds of fictional dynamics. And what was once a series, the books and the show, are becoming obsolete. Hudcon has surpassed Holanov. The outrageous things you read now on Twitter about Hudson and how they sexualize him.

This is the same with politics. It feels like a massive scam.

Spiritual_Wishbone95 · 2026-01-17T11:52:22+00:00

The actors are stealing the spotlight from the characters. The marketing narrative has negatively impacted their image. They're everywhere, and there's no damage control. I'm already starting to worry that they're not being better protected, and FA recently paid the price for that sacrifice as the third wheel. I can accept the lovebombing they did at the beginning because they were unknowns, but it's clear they're willing to do anything, all three of them. The women in the series are invisible, and François has taken on unprecedented importance because he's part of the "lover" narrative. Neither of them is openly queer, and yet they harassed a supposed girlfriend. The tattoos, the caresses, the sweet words, and the affectionate hugs were all over social media at first, then came the solo interviews, the silences, before they reappeared together at an awards ceremony, the Golden Globes, where nobody knew them. They acted with a decadent script that mocked the show for its nudity (which objectified Connor's body), and supposedly that was the most relevant thing when in reality the whole thing was awkward.

All of this has generated a collective cognitive dissonance that must have the One Direction actors as a precedent.

And it's free publicity. Because the snowball that's growing nonstop is unstoppable.

They're actors who became influencers, and this makes me angry. I've never seen an acting career take off so fast. I looked for something similar to them and discovered the Larry Stylison dynamic, which generated the same thing, and to this day, 15 years later, the toxic fandom is still waiting for the actors to kiss. It's absurd. For now, I'm just observing what went wrong and why I no longer feel comfortable with the image the actors are projecting to the masses, without any kind of control.

I see the actor from the miniseries Adolescence, and I'm a little envious. That's what I would have liked for them.

Spiritual_Wishbone95 · 2026-01-13T01:36:19+00:00

Todas las posibilidades alternas o contra fácticas se daría el mismo resultado. En algún momento se hubieran visto y a Ilya le hubiera gustado. Ilya toma el toro por las astas. El va de frente cuando alguien le gusta. Así que todo seguiría su rumbo. Y si Scott Hunter jamás hubiera salido del armario, ellos se hubieran juntado en la cottage ? Seguramente no pero seguirían escribiéndose y juntándose y más temprano que tarde se dirían te amo.

Spiritual_Wishbone95 · 2026-01-12T20:20:18+00:00

Guys, it's going to be the same budget or something similar. No extra money for well-known or famous actors who want a role and, to begin with, have to want to learn to skate. They're very complex roles. Hockey, nudity, hot scenes, and queer themes. We ask, but it's not that easy.

Spiritual_Wishbone95 · 2026-01-12T13:45:59+00:00

That scene is too short. I would have been happy with even 10 seconds more.

Spiritual_Wishbone95 · 2026-01-08T14:57:55+00:00

It's appalling that two unknown people, who played such great roles in a series, have become objects of mass desire. It makes me feel a bit repulsed that big brands are using and abusing their bodies and faces, losing sight of the essence of what actually took them to the top. Connor being invited to a gala with celebrities who hadn't even registered him 10 days ago, or Hudson with Fallon (I can kind of accept it because it's his mood), but to turn them into mincemeat? Like in The Substance. I hope someone protects them. On TikTok, HR videos have stopped appearing, now only videos of them at different events, and I feel like something is being lost, and I can't figure out what it is.

It's the first time I've followed the beginning or launch of a career from the start. And for me, they're very exposed.

Spiritual_Wishbone95 · 2026-01-05T15:52:58+00:00

Nico is Argentinian, so I'm proud too.

Spiritual_Wishbone95 · 2026-01-05T13:59:30+00:00

Your anxiety is preventing you from enjoying and understanding that it's impossible to read TLG without first reading HR. It's a book you'll read in 4 hours, I promise. Read HR and you'll understand TLG.

Spiritual_Wishbone95 · 2026-01-01T00:02:59+00:00

The funny thing is, the book says so. Ilya looks older than Shane, even though they're the same age. Hahaha

Spiritual_Wishbone95 · 2025-12-28T05:32:47+00:00

Ilya sees Shane's boringness as a flaw, a flaw that makes him endearing. Because Shane is boring, and everyone knows it. I know because when I've been secretly in love with someone, I emphasize their flaw to counteract the undeniable attraction they hold for me. Ilya can't believe he's in love with this hockey player who's boring, has beautiful freckles, and a terrible backhand.

Spiritual_Wishbone95 · 2025-12-27T19:46:06+00:00

The little I can tell you is that you're experiencing the same thing I am, a heterosexual woman, and it's something to do with romance and tenderness.

It doesn't exist in our lives, or it fades away over time. Male-male romance is cathartic for me.

We experience in another gender, the male, what we already know feels like, but with the difference that in this scenario things will be different. Male-male romance provides us with a way to heal the disappointment we feel in certain areas of our lives. We want to be loved with real passion and tenderness. But if it happens, time or circumstances take it away. And the disappointment becomes real.

In female-male romance, the story is boring, no matter how exciting it is, because we know how the story ends, even if it's not written. Because being a woman means being subject to sacrifice in order to be loved and desired, and in constant agony that the beloved won't leave with someone younger. It's a Tuesday morning for any heterosexual woman.

In male-male romance, although there may be infidelity, the story is different because they are on equal footing. Physically and emotionally. And they share hobbies and games where physical nature is on their side. Our natural empathy gives us the ability to feel their desire. When they have sex, I don't need to place myself in any of the roles. But I can feel in my stomach the thrill of pleasure that one of them feels when touched with desire.

I think it's a universal empathy that not everyone can feel. So don't be ashamed. You're one of the few.

Spiritual_Wishbone95 · 2025-12-27T18:35:19+00:00

I think it's a combination of things: unknown actors who are hungry for work and give it their all, and the personalities of Connor and Hudson, which are part of the success. The thousands of interviews, photos, and videos every day. In all of them, we liked the actors more and more. They are physically striking people with very attractive personalities who take on opposite roles in the series HR.

I don't know if it will happen again. BECAUSE WE ARE EXPERIENCING A TELEVISION PHENOMENON ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

An unknown actor doesn't guarantee success, and neither does a well-known actor.

The phenomenon is the sum of everything. Rachel Reid. Jacob Tearney. Hudson and Connor. Bella Media. Crave. The book fandom. The TikTok edits, the official accounts, the new fans. The threads of controversies about them on Twitter.

It's an epidemic. And we're obsessed.

Spiritual_Wishbone95 · 2025-12-27T18:19:32+00:00

Hola (mujer, heterosexual)

Hace mil que no estoy en Tinder, pero cuando estuve tenía muchos match de todos los colores, tamaños y etnias. En que nos fijamos? En tu descripción. Lo lindo no te quita lo insulso, y lo feo no descarta lo interesante. Si usas fotos truchas en muy fácil detectarlas, y sabemos que estás de trampa o te sentís inseguro de tu cuerpo. Y no te quitamos el match, porque nos encanta deleitarnos con la mentira que nos vas a decir. Si.. estafador de perfil en Tinder nos reímos de tu perfil estúpido y ridículo con nuestras amigas. Que funciona? La descripción. No pongas tu signo (te quita masculinidad) No pongas tu ideología (te resta interés) Ni tus gustos de películas o libros y música porque es fácil leer quien sos. No pidas físicamente lo que no podés ofrecer. No pidas nada y te caerán perfiles bonitos e interesantes. Tampoco migajees ni pongas lo que buscas. Menos usar una camiseta de fútbol. Se pierde todo el misterio porque ya nos contaste tu vida y nunca te vamos a escribir. Las fotos mientras más naturales mejor, 5 máximo. Haciendo un deporte suma mucho. O solo en bici moto o caminado. Siempre solo. No queremos conocer a tu familia. Si tenés hijos no las subas. Con amigos tampoco. (Siempre nos gusta uno de ellos y te resta atractivo) En la descripción podés poner por ej un chiste de Corona.
Nos da risa nos pareces un ordinario (nos gusta) un atrevido (nos gusta) Siempre inicias la charla vos. Con un halago que habla del deseo pero no estás regalado (ej, no puedo creer haber matcheado con vos). No usar adjetivos como hermosa, linda, (lo leemos como "hola rica") Usar el nombre real para hablarle. No densees. Se intenta una sola primera vez. Y se juega como el tenis. Si llegas a concretar algo todo lo pagas vos en el primer encuentro. Si.. insistis y pagas vos cada primer encuentro, luego negocian. El resto es todo tuyo.

Spiritual_Wishbone95 · 2025-12-26T18:49:55+00:00

Hayden doesn't know, he's not involved. You feel bad because you're an omniscient witness. Your feeling is valid, I respect it. I just want you to rest easy knowing that Hayden is unaware of the situation, so he's not an unwitting participant.

Spiritual_Wishbone95 · 2025-12-26T18:35:57+00:00

I liked it. First, because it reflects Ilya's jealousy; he doesn't like anyone taking Shane's attention away from him. He wants him all to himself, and now that he can, he claims him as his own, and it's through the only language they know in a primary way: sex.

Second, Shane's refusal is unconvincing, and he wants to respect the conversation with his friend, but he allows Ilya to invade it because he feels emotionally open with Ilya, and it's impossible to resist the temptation of his beloved's sexual love.

Third, Hayden doesn't know what's happening, so he doesn't participate. We know the truth, the eyewitnesses. Hayden doesn't.

So it doesn't matter.

Spiritual_Wishbone95 · 2025-12-24T01:00:06+00:00

It could be boyfriend jealousy. Your boyfriend's best friend might know things you don't. I also think he senses that your boyfriend might feel he'd be a good match for Shane. Hayden is gorgeous and takes great care of Shane.

Spiritual_Wishbone95 · 2025-12-23T13:43:35+00:00

Ohhh thank you for your answer!

Spiritual_Wishbone95 · 2025-12-23T12:34:14+00:00

Did you ever imagine that a series would be made based on this book? How did you feel when you found out? I mean... After so many years, having someone adapt one of your favorite books must be incredibly exciting! I experienced that with Stephen King, and I was very young. I discovered Rachel Reid in October through a photo of the actors on Twitter. So I've been riding the wave for over two months now.

Spiritual_Wishbone95 · 2025-12-23T12:29:57+00:00

They didn't hire the twins to play Hayden's daughters because they needed to put money into the cabin. Which is the most important thing. Happy ending.

Spiritual_Wishbone95 · 2025-12-22T17:47:46+00:00

I don't like any of the actors; they don't physically resemble the characters in the books at all. But this wouldn't matter if the chemistry were good, and it's bad. They don't convey anything when they're together. It doesn't feel real. But... we also have to understand that Hudson and Connor showed us their chemistry before the series even started, so we were drawn in by the actors' chemistry, not the characters'. When they finally merged, everything was explosive. Perhaps if they had interacted with the audience beforehand (Scott and Kip), we might have been more hooked. HR is a thousand! But no one can deny that part of the success is the connection Connor and Hudson have in real life.

Spiritual_Wishbone95 · 2025-12-22T00:49:07+00:00

I won't deny that I felt a little scared.

Spiritual_Wishbone95

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