Margaret Cho rejects role in ‘heated rivalry’ ‘because of Trump’

Comedian Margaret Cho recently told this to the newspaper “I never liked you” podcast that she turned down an opportunity to star in “Heated Rivalry” because the show was filmed in Canada, and she didn’t want to travel from the United States during President Donald Trump’s second term.

“There are things I didn’t do that I should have done,” Cho said when asked if she had any roles that got away. “Last year I got a pilot script for a show that I really loved. But it was being shot in Canada, and I was so scared because I was so outspoken about hating ICE and hating this government. I thought, ‘I’m going to be held at the border, and I’m going to be put in ICE detention if I go.'”

She continued, “I was struggling with it, and I was talking to all these people about it, and I was really upset about it, and I said no. And it was ‘Heated Rivarly.'”

Cho said she has since rewatched “Heated Rivarly” and even “hosted a few rewatch parties.” She also reiterated the reason why she left the show: “It’s all because of Trump.”

“Heated Rivarly” quickly became one of the most talked-about shows on streaming after it debuted on HBO Max and Canadian streamer Crave in November 2025. Based on the book series by Rachel Reid, the steamy queer drama follows rising hockey stars Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, played by Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, who maintain a facade as arch-rivals on the rink while engaging in a secret romance on the ice.

“Heated Rivalry” was renewed for a second season in December 2025.