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Heated Rivalry’s Hudson Williams ‘deeply regrets’ resurfaced swastika photo

Sources claim he didn't know the symbol was there

Daisy Phillipson
8th June 2026, 10:42
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An image of Hudson Williams appearing to show the Heated Rivalry star with a swastika on his forehead has resurfaced this week, and now sources claim he “deeply regrets” the incident and didn’t know the symbol was there. 

Hudson and Connor Storrie were catapulted to global fame following the 2025 release of the hockey romance series, with the pair starring as central couple Shane and Ilya. 

Both actors have been keeping their private life private as best they can, but this weekend Williams found himself at the centre of an unexpected controversy after old images emerged online. 

According to TMZ, the photos date back to when Hudson was in high school in a small Canadian town, and were taken during an annual “campout” event whereby they would write and draw on one another with Sharpie markers.

The outlet reports that sources close to the actor claim he was unaware that a swastika had been drawn on his forehead at the time the picture was taken.

Those same sources told TMZ that the symbol was allegedly drawn by other intoxicated teenagers who were covering each other’s faces, clothing, and bodies with inappropriate markings in an attempt to provoke laughs and shock reactions.

A friend of Hudson’s also defended the star, telling the outlet: “The markings do not and have never reflected Hudson’s beliefs, values, or character.”

People close to Hudson described the incident as a group of underage teenagers doing “dumb things”, while stressing that the behaviour was “completely inexcusable.”

Shane and Ilya in Heated Rivalry
Credit: Crave

Hudson is allegedly aware of the hurt the image has caused since resurfacing online and does not condone or support the offensive symbol seen in the image.

The insiders said that he understands the disappointment many people have felt upon seeing the photograph and that he “deeply regrets” the incident.

At the time of writing, Williams has not publicly addressed the resurfaced image personally. Film Shrine has contacted his representatives for comment.

Featured image credit: George Pimentel/Shutterstock/Crave