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Miley Cyrus Says She is “So In” to Make Music for Gay Hockey Sensation 'Heated Rivalry' Season Two
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Miley Cyrus has signaled she is eager to contribute music to the upcoming second season of the queer hockey romance series Heated Rivalry, telling reporters she is “so in” for the project.
Speaking on the red carpet at the Palm Springs International Film Festival gala, Cyrus was asked by Variety about the possibility of recording music for the HBO Max and Crave series, which centers on a same‑sex relationship between professional hockey players. The 33‑year‑old artist responded enthusiastically, saying, “Oh, I’m so in. Book me. Get me booked! ” according to the outlet.
Cyrus also admitted she has not yet watched Heated Rivalry but said it had quickly become a priority after hearing repeated praise. “I have not watched yet, but this is on my to‑do list now, ” she said, adding that every conversation she had that day seemed to begin with a recommendation to see the series.
Heated Rivalry, adapted from Rachel Reid’s novel and released on HBO Max in the United States and Crave in Canada, follows a passionate romance between rival hockey stars Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, as well as a secondary queer couple, Scott Hunter and Kip Grady. The series has drawn significant attention within LGBTQ+ communities for its explicit, unapologetic depiction of queer desire and relationships in a traditionally hyper‑masculine sports setting.
Production partners Crave and HBO Max have officially renewed Heated Rivalry for a second season, though no release date has yet been announced. The show’s renewal reflects strong audience engagement and growing demand for queer‑led stories in mainstream television.
On a separate red carpet at the Critics Choice Awards, actor François Arnaud, who plays Scott Hunter in the series, reacted to Cyrus’s comments when asked by Variety. He joked that while the team expects a larger budget for season two, it might not stretch to what he called “Miley budget. ” Arnaud added lightheartedly that if Cyrus sees the show, “she might give us a discount. ”
Arnaud also spoke about his hopes for the season‑two storyline between his character Scott and Scott’s boyfriend Kip, played by Robbie G. K. He said he wants the series to continue exploring the challenges of being in a relationship where one partner is “uber‑famous” and the other did not choose public life, highlighting tensions that many couples can recognize when one person has a very different level of visibility.
The first season features Scott as a successful player who begins a relationship with Kip, a barista working at the fictional smoothie shop Straw+Berry, with their romance initially unfolding in secret. By the end of season one, Scott publicly kisses Kip on the ice after a Stanley Cup win, signaling a significant step toward openness and representation in the show’s narrative.
Cyrus’s interest in the series builds on a long‑standing relationship with LGBTQ+ communities, including her previous work with the Happy Hippie Foundation and her history of speaking openly about her own queer identity. For many viewers, the idea of a major global pop star potentially contributing music to a sports drama centered on gay and bisexual men underscores how far queer‑inclusive storytelling has moved into the cultural mainstream.
Heated Rivalry has already attracted high‑profile queer and allied fans. During CNN’s New Year’s Eve broadcast, hosts Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen asked Grammy‑winning singer‑songwriter Brandi Carlile whether “lesbians care about Heated Rivalry, ” to which she replied that it was “all I can think about, ” joking that she could not sleep without thinking of the show. That moment further amplified the show’s visibility among LGBTQ+ audiences and allies.
From an LGBTQ+ perspective, Cyrus’s comments are being welcomed as part of a broader pattern of high‑profile artists lending their platforms to queer‑centered projects on major networks and streaming services. Should her involvement move forward, it would mark a collaboration between an openly supportive, queer‑identified pop star and a series that foregrounds queer love, intimacy, and identity in a sport often associated with rigid masculinity.
