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Actors Francois Arnaud and Hudson Williams clarify the origin of their joint statement after facing criticism and online attacks.
Actors Francois Arnaud and Hudson Williams, co-stars in ‘Heated Rivalry’, have publicly explained the real origin of the joint message they recently shared on social media after some users questioned its intent. The controversy began when both posted the same statement on their Instagram Stories, condemning the offensive comments they had received from certain self-described fans.
In the message, the actors were direct in rejecting any form of hate speech directed at them or at members of the project. “Don’t call yourself a fan if you share racist, homophobic, biphobic, misogynistic, ageist, ableist, parasocial or bigoted comments of any kind. None of us need your hateful ‘love,’” they wrote in their statement.
The text also emphasised the strong sense of respect among the cast of ‘Heated Rivalry’. “We respect, support and love each other. We are on the same side. If you can’t accept that, then don’t be part of this,” they added in the message, which quickly circulated among the show’s followers.
However, after the post was published, some social media users criticised Francois Arnaud, suggesting that he had copied the message originally written by Hudson Williams without giving him credit. One comment argued that the actor should have acknowledged the authorship of the text rather than posting it as if he had written it himself.
In response to the accusations, Francois Arnaud clarified the situation directly. The actor explained that he initially drafted the message and that both he and Hudson Williams later worked together to refine it before sharing it publicly as a joint statement.
Hudson Williams also addressed the discussion through the platform Threads, replying to users who claimed he was facing racial abuse without adequate support from his co-stars. The actor confirmed that the message had been Arnaud’s idea, while he helped shape the final wording.
Williams added that he rarely reads comments on social media and had not even seen the hateful messages at the time, as he had been watching figure skating videos.
With this clarification, Francois Arnaud and Hudson Williams aimed to close the controversy while reinforcing the message of unity among the cast in the face of online hostility.
