14 July,2026 02:26 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Hudson Williams (Picture via X)
Canadian actor Hudson Williams, one of the breakout stars of the hit queer hockey drama Heated Rivalry, has gone viral after confronting a group of alleged autograph dealers who followed him to his residence during Paris Fashion Week. The incident, captured on video and widely shared on social media, has sparked conversations about celebrity privacy and the growing problem of invasive autograph hunters.
The confrontation unfolded after Williams stepped out of a chauffeured car and was approached by several men carrying headshots for him to sign. Instead of obliging, the actor accused them of tracking him to where he was staying.
Addressing the group, Williams said, "Guys, you just followed me to my residence. You can't do this. This is really fking weird."'' He went on to add, "You guys aren't fans. You're being really creepy and you just followed me."
The men reportedly apologised, but Williams remained firm. He grabbed one of the photographs and attempted to set it on fire using a lighter. When the lighter failed to ignite, he declared, "I'm gonna burn this," before later tearing up the headshot and walking away with members of his team. Security personnel also intervened as the autograph seekers continued filming the exchange.
According to reports, the individuals involved were believed to be professional autograph dealers rather than genuine admirers. Such dealers often obtain celebrity signatures on photographs or memorabilia before reselling them for profit. Williams appeared particularly upset that they had allegedly followed him to his private residence instead of approaching him at a public event.
The incident comes amid Williams' meteoric rise to fame following the success of Heated Rivalry. The actor has been making appearances at Paris Fashion Week, where crowds of fans and photographers have closely followed him. The increased attention has also extended to his co-star Connor Storrie, with both actors facing intense public scrutiny in recent months.
This is not the first time Williams has spoken about the downsides of sudden fame. During an earlier appearance on the Shut Up Evan podcast, he admitted that constant unsolicited photography can make celebrities feel unsafe and stripped of their humanity.
He explained, "It doesn't make us feel safe or really like we can disarm. There's an element of that's not another human, that's a celebrity."
The viral video has received widespread support online, with many social media users defending Williams' reaction. Several fans argued that he was justified in calling out behaviour they viewed as invasive, while others praised him for standing up against those seeking to profit from celebrity encounters. As Williams' popularity continues to soar, the episode has reignited debate over the fine line between fan admiration, commercial exploitation and a public figure's right to privacy.
