Variety interview with Janelle James, Connor Storrie draws backlash over “Heated Rivalry” question
An interview with Abbott Elementary star Janelle James and rising actor Connor Storrie sparked online backlash after a Variety senior editor asked about Storrie’s steamy role in the HBO Max series Heated Rivalry. Critics on social media called the question inappropriate and overly focused on the show’s explicit content rather than the actors’ performances. James deflected the prompt by praising Storrie’s acting, Russian accent and potential as a leading man, earning praise from fans who felt she handled the moment with professionalism.
A red-carpet interview featuring Abbott Elementary star Janelle James and rising actor Connor Storrie has drawn criticism online after viewers took issue with a question referencing Storrie’s role in the HBO Max romance series Heated Rivalry.
The exchange occurred on Jan. 7 following the announcement of nominations for the 2026 Actor Awards, formerly known as the Screen Actors Guild Awards. The pair had appeared together to present nominees when they were interviewed by Variety senior editor Marc Malkin.
After initially asking James whether she had advice for Storrie ahead of his first appearance at the awards ceremony, Malkin shifted the conversation to Heated Rivalry, a series known for its explicit romantic scenes. He asked James when she had watched the show and then followed up by asking what went through her mind when she looked at Storrie and thought about those scenes.
The question prompted an immediate deflection. “That’s not what I’m thinking about,” Storrie responded. James then redirected the conversation toward his professional strengths, praising his performance rather than engaging with the premise of the question.
“I’m thinking about his excellent Russian accent, his characterization,” James said. “I think that he is adorable, he looks like a leading man, and I’m excited to see where he goes next.”
Clips of the interview circulated quickly across social media platforms, where many users criticized the line of questioning as inappropriate and unnecessary. Commenters argued that the focus on intimate scenes reduced Storrie’s work to its sexual elements rather than acknowledging his acting ability, particularly during a professional awards event.
Several viewers also praised James for handling the moment with composure, noting that she reframed the discussion toward craft and performance instead of engaging with what some described as a voyeuristic prompt.
Others defended the interview as a reflection of Heated Rivalry’s cultural footprint, pointing out that the show’s popularity is tied in part to its frank depiction of queer romance. Still, critics countered that such discussions should be contextualized thoughtfully rather than posed in a way that could make performers uncomfortable.
Neither Variety nor Malkin has publicly responded to the backlash.
The incident has renewed broader conversations about red-carpet interviewing norms and the responsibility of entertainment journalists to balance curiosity about provocative roles with respect for artists and their work—especially as actors from streaming-era hits increasingly cross into mainstream awards recognition.