Canadian actor François Arnaud has issued a pointed retort to pop superstar Miley Cyrus after she publicly volunteered to write music for the second season of his hit HBO drama, Heated Rivalry, despite not having watched the show.
A Red Carpet Invitation
The exchange began on Saturday night at the Palm Springs International Film Festival. Speaking to Variety's Marc Malkin on the red carpet, Cyrus, 33, was asked about the possibility of contributing a song to the acclaimed hockey romance series. "I'm so in," she declared enthusiastically, adding, "Book me! Get me booked." The singer later clarified that while the show is "on my to-do list," she had not yet seen the six-episode first season.
Arnaud's Blunt Comeback
The following evening, at the Critics Choice Awards, Arnaud – who plays Scott Hunter in the steamy series – was given the chance to respond. "But she hasn’t even watched the show. She should watch the show first," the 40-year-old actor told Variety. He then added with a laugh, "Miley, watch the damn show." Arnaud went on to joke about the production's finances, noting, "I think we might get a little bigger budget for Season 2 but I don’t know if we have a Miley budget." He suggested that if Cyrus viewed the series, "she might give us a discount."
Behind the Scenes of the Hit Series
Heated Rivalry, based on Rachel Reid's popular romance novel, has become a breakout success for HBO. The series focuses on the intense relationship between hockey players Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie) and Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams). Arnaud's character, Scott Hunter, is involved in a separate but equally heartfelt romance with Kip, played by Robbie Graham-Kuntz.
Arnaud admitted to initially being overwhelmed by the script's explicit sex scenes but praised creator Jacob Tierney for using them to reveal deeper emotional layers. "People are hooked by the smutty aspects of it... but I think Jacob really uses that to peel away layers," he explained. Looking ahead to a potential second season, Arnaud expressed hope to explore the challenges of his character's relationship with a famous partner.
The incident has sparked amusement among fans, highlighting the show's unexpected journey into the cultural spotlight. Whether a Miley Cyrus track makes it into the season two soundtrack now likely depends on her viewing habits.
