Jill Biden is a fan of “heated rivalry.”
Sources say the former first lady just minutes ago bid $35,000 at a live auction at the New York City LGBT Community Center’s Center Dinner to appear on the second season of the queer hockey series and to have dinner with the cast.
But she won. The package was ultimately sold twice to two bidders for $125,000 each.
“I don’t think I’ll end up going to the cottage, but it was worth a try! It was a great night supporting @LGBTCenterNYC 💕,” Biden later wrote to Mr. X in response to Variety’s X post about his bid.
Rivals creator Jacob Tierney and his producing partner Brendan Brady (who was unable to attend the gala) were presented with the Cultural Impact Award at the event. They were presented with the award by Rachel Reid, author of the queer hockey book series Game Changers.
“Tierney and Brady elevate and center queer characters as fully realized protagonists whose desires, conflicts, and tenderness are treated with dignity,” said Dr. Carla Smith, the center’s CEO, ahead of the event. “By championing our voices, they have brought queer joy and storytelling to mainstream media, producing work that affirms and advances our communities.”
Brooks Brothers CEO Ken Ohashi was also recognized. Melanie C, aka Sporty Spice from the Spice Girls, performed.
Season 2 of “Heat Rivalry,” an adaptation of Reed’s book “The Long Game,” is scheduled to premiere on HBO Max in April 2027. Filming will begin this summer, with Conor Storey and Hudson Williams set to continue in the lead roles.
“I’ve been sitting in my room writing all day,” Tierney said at the GLAAD Media Awards ceremony in Los Angeles in early March, adding that he would remain “loyal” to the book.
“I think I realized a while ago that what I needed to do was go back to where my head was when I first wrote the books, which was to love these books and try to do the smartest thing I could with them,” Tierney said.
In addition to Williams and Story, the “Heated Rivals” cast includes Francois Arnault, Goalkeeper Robbie, Christina Chan, Dylan Walsh, Nadine Baba, Sophie Nellis and Ksenia Daniela Karlamova.
