Gus Kenworthy found “insane… similarities” between his life and the fictional story of Rivals, right down to his Rose-like relationship with Miley Cyrus before she came out as gay.
The 34-year-old athlete told The New Yorker on Sunday that one of the show’s main characters, Shane Hollander, is “suddenly linked” to a “celebrity” named Rose Landry, just as he and Cyrus, 33, made headlines in 2014.
“That’s what I wanted, because when you’re straight and successful and beautiful and talented, that’s who you want to be with. It’s different when you’re with a man,” the Olympic skier explained over the weekend.
“It was unrealistic for various reasons, but I was digging myself a deeper and deeper hole,” he recalled. “Actually, I love her. But then I got these flirty texts and I remember thinking, ‘What am I doing? I don’t want to do this anymore. I don’t want to get up and keep lying.'”
Kenworthy and the former Disney Channel star made headlines in 2014 when Kenworthy won a silver medal at the Sochi Games just before Valentine’s Day, but he told reporters that Cyrus was his “dream date” and “celebrity crush.”
At the time, Kenworthy was having “secret meetings and courtships” and a “secret relationship” with Hollander, played by Hudson Williams, and his on-screen lover Ilya Rozanov, played by Conor Storey.
Representatives for Cyrus did not immediately respond to Page Six’s request for comment.
Additionally, Kenworthy felt “really empathetic” to Scott Hunter, played by Francois Arnaud.
“He wanted to compete, but he really felt he couldn’t because of the circumstances,” he explained. “For years, that’s who I was. I had the same longing: to be in love and be public and not have to hide it.”
Kenworthy added, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen myself on screen in such a fulfilling way.”
When Kenworthy came out in 2015, Cyrus gushed over her “brave” friend via Instagram.
“I’ve never been more proud to call @guskenworthy my friend! (and he’s a goddamn f*cking Olympian),” the “Hannah Montana” alum told her followers.
“You have won more than any medal… You have won freedom!” she concluded. “I love you!”
Cyrus has not yet seen “Rivals,” but she offered her singing services for the show at the Palm Springs International Film Festival earlier this month.
The Grammy winner told Variety that he’s “very interested” in writing songs for the Crave/HBO Max hit show. “Please make a reservation. Please make a reservation.”
Arnaud, 40, received applause at the Critics Choice Awards ceremony, telling the magazine: “She doesn’t even watch the show. She should watch the show first. Miley, watch the damn show.”
