Heated Rivalry fans think Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie are “shoe-ins” to attend the 2026 Met Gala, which is wild when you consider they were both complete knowns six months ago. And yet, their absense would be more surprising than any other snub.
From the Golden Globes to the Winter Olympics to the Oscars. Williams and Storrie have been to practically every significant cultural event since the release of their hit hockey romance in November 2025. However, the fashion world has been particularly enamored with these breakout stars, with major designers and brands clamoring to get one of the boys seated front-row at their shows, if not serving face in their next ad campaign.
Williams made his runway debut with Dsquared2 at Milan Men’s Fashion Week before buddying up with Donatella Versace and earning a “Friend of the House” title at Balenciaga. Meanwhile, Storrie has been named an official ambassador for Saint Laurent and Tiffany & Co., securing a cover of The Hollywood Reporter’s “Power Stylist” issue alongside his personal stylist James Yardley. (Williams and stylist Anastasia Walker were also featured in the issue.)
So no, it’s not far-fetched to think their Met Gala debut is just a few days away, though neither have been officially confirmed. The bigger question is whether or not the pair will find each other on the Met steps, though it’s likely they’ve been invited by the rival fashion houses and will be seated separately for dinner inside the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
It’s also unclear how either actor will interpret the dress code, “Fashion is Art,” with their respective stylists. Williams’ love of fashion is evident, with the actor hosting his own New York Fashion Week party ahead of his 25th birthday. “I sometimes just like garish looks, you know, with just a little frippery and fun,” Williams said of his personal style in an interview with Harper’s Bazaar in December. “It’s just another way to express yourself, and it doesn’t have to be too serious.”
Meanwhile, Storrie says fashion wasn’t really on his “radar” before the success of Heated Rivalry, though he quickly developed an interest. “The moment you start trying on really nice clothes you understand why people love it so much,” he told VMAN in February. “Playing dress up is my favorite thing, which is probably why I’m in film,” he added, describing photo shoots and fashion shows as a “prolonged version of that.”
