Key Highlights
- François Arnaud sent a clear message to fans amid social media harassment on Instagram.
- Hudson Williams supported his costar by posting “love u” in response to the post.
- The Canadian actor has been candid about his relationship with social media, citing it as a “cesspool.”
- Arnaud unfollowed hundreds of accounts related to Heated Rivalry after an incident at JFK airport.
François Arnaud Responds to Harassment in Bold Fashion
In what can only be described as a bold statement against social media harassment, François Arnaud, the star of HBO Max’s Heated Rivalry, shared a series of Instagram posts featuring himself and his costar Hudson Williams with middle fingers raised. The post came amid reports that he had been subject to online abuse following an incident at JFK airport in New York City.
A Clear Message
The Heated Rivalry star’s Instagram post included three photos of costar Hudson Williams smiling and holding up his middle fingers, obscured by heart emojis. In the fourth photo, Arnaud also held up his middle finger with a heart emoji on top. He captioned the post: “Learning from the very best. @hudsonwilliamsofficial,” before adding it to his Instagram Stories with the Wolf Parade track “I’ll Believe in Anything.”
Williams’ Support
Hudson Williams, who plays Shane Hollander on Heated Rivalry, replied to Arnaud’s post with middle finger and heart emojis. In a simple but supportive message, he wrote: “love u.” This act of solidarity from his costar in the midst of what could be seen as an escalating online conflict highlights the personal nature of the situation.
Acknowledgment of Online Harassment
Arnaud has been candid about his relationship with social media, describing it as a “cesspool” and sharing that he tries not to be too “chronically online.” During an interview on SiriusXM’s Radio Andy, Arnaud revealed that he had blocked Twitter access from his phone entirely. He also cited the show The Borgias as having less intense fandom compared to what he is currently experiencing with Heated Rivalry.
Background of Harassment
According to reports, Arnaud unfollowed hundreds of accounts on Instagram following an incident at JFK airport in New York City on January 14, 2026. Among those he unfollowed were his costars Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, as well as the showrunner Jacob Tierney. However, by Friday, January 16, 2026, Arnaud had re-followed his costars and the showrunner.
Impact on Season Two
The ongoing social media controversy adds another layer of complexity to the upcoming second season of Heated Rivalry, which was renewed in December 2025. The series, based on Rachel Reid’s Game Changers book series and created by Jacob Tierney for Canadian streaming service Crave, has become HBO Max’s top-rated non-animated acquired series and a top-five scripted debut of the year.
The post from Arnaud serves as both a warning to his detractors and a show of solidarity with Williams. As the drama between the actors and their fans continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how this will impact the future of Heated Rivalry.
Note: All dates, names, and quotes are exact matches from the original article.
