Olympian admits to secret, ‘Heated Rivalry’-style relationship with Miley Cyrus before coming out as gay
Gus Kenworthy noticed “insane … parallels” between his life and the fictional storyline of “Heated Rivalry,” down to his Rose-like relationship with Miley Cyrus before coming out as gay.
The athlete, 34, told the New Yorker on Sunday that one of the show’s main characters, Shane Hollander, is “suddenly linked to” a “famous person” named Rose Landry — just like he and Cyrus, 33, made headlines in 2014.
“As much as I kind of wanted it — because that’s the person you would want to be with if you’re straight, someone successful and beautiful and talented — it’s not the same as when you’re with a guy,” the Olympic skier explained over the weekend.
“It was surreal for a number of reasons, but I was also digging myself this deeper and deeper hole,” he recalled. “I actually love her. But then there was some flirty texting, and I remember thinking, ‘What am I doing? I don’t want to do this anymore. I don’t want to keep waking up and lying.’”
Kenworthy and the former Disney Channel star set tongues wagging in 2014 when he won silver at the Sochi Games just ahead of Valentine’s Day — and told reporters that Cyrus was his “dream date” and “celeb crush.”
At the time, Kenworthy was in a “secret relationship” with “clandestine meetings and hookups,” a la Hollander, played by Hudson Williams, and his onscreen love interest, Ilya Rozanov, played by Connor Storrie.
Cyrus’ rep did not immediately respond to Page Six’s request for comment.
Kenworthy, additionally, found himself “really relat[ing]” to François Arnaud’s character, Scott Hunter.
“He wanted to be out, but really, just truly felt like he couldn’t be, because of his circumstances,” he explained. “That was me for so many years. I had the same yearning — to be in love, to be public and to not have to hide.”
Kenworthy added, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen myself reflected onscreen like that, in such a substantial way.”
When Kenworthy came out in 2015, Cyrus gushed over her “courageous” pal via Instagram.
“Never have I ever been prouder to call @guskenworthy my friend! (and he’s a bad ass f–king Olympic athlete),” the “Hannah Montana” alum told her followers.
“You have won so much more than any medal …. You have won FREEDOM!” she concluded. “I looooove looooove looooove you!”
Cyrus has yet to watch “Heated Rivalry” — but did offer the show her singing services at the Palm Springs International Film Festival earlier this month.
“I’m so in,” the Grammy winner told Variety of writing a song for the hit Crave/HBO Max show. “Book me. Get me booked.”
Arnaud, 40, clapped back at the Critics Choice Awards, telling the outlet, “She hasn’t even watched the show. She should watch the show first. Miley, watch the damn show.”
