Hudson Williams, the 25-year-old Canadian actor who stars in the queer hockey drama “Heated Rivalry,” is reportedly deeply regretful after a resurfaced photo featuring a swastika drawn on his forehead circulated on social media over the weekend.
Quick Facts
- The photo dates back to Williams’ high school years during an annual “campout” tradition involving teens and underage drinking
- Sources told TMZ and Page Six that Williams had no idea what was being drawn on his face at the time the photo was taken
- The markings were made with black marker by other intoxicated teenagers attempting to get laughs and shock reactions
- Williams understands the image is “completely inexcusable” and does not condone or support the offensive markings
In the photo circulating on social media, Williams appears with a group of friends wearing a blue shirt with various black marker drawings covering his body and face, including the offensive symbol on his forehead. According to sources close to Williams who spoke with TMZ, the image was taken during his high school years when he participated in an annual “campout” tradition in his small Canadian town.
The tradition often involved underage drinking and teens drawing on each other’s shirts, faces, and bodies with Sharpies for shock value and laughs. Sources stressed that Williams was unaware of what was being drawn on him at the time, and that the offensive symbol resulted from other intoxicated teenagers’ actions, not his own.
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A friend of Williams told TMZ that “the markings do not and have never reflected Hudson’s beliefs, values, or character.” According to Page Six, sources close to the actor say he “deeply regrets” the photo and “understands the hurt and disappointment” it has caused. He recognizes the seriousness of the symbol and does not support the offensive markings drawn on him, sources added.
Williams shot to fame playing Shane Hollander in Crave’s “Heated Rivalry,” a queer hockey romance based on author Rachel Reid’s books. Page Six reached out to his representative for comment but did not immediately receive a response.
Sources
- Page Six — reported Williams’ regret and the context of the high school campout tradition
- TMZ — detailed sources’ accounts that Williams was unaware of the swastika at the time and provided character assessment from his friend
- The Daily Beast — confirmed the photo details and Williams’ age and role in “Heated Rivalry”
