Jill Biden bids $35K for walk-on role in 'Heated Rivalry' season 2 at LGBTQ benefit auction

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Jill Biden, the former First Lady of the US and wife of Joe Biden, attended the NYC LGBT Community Center’s Center Dinner live auction in NYC. During the event, she showed interest in the romantic hockey series 'Heated Rivalry.'

She reportedly offered $35,000 to appear in a small role in the show’s second season and also have dinner with the cast, as per Variety. However, she did not win the package. It was later sold twice, with two different buyers, each paying $125,000.

Jacob Tierney and Brendan Brady honored for 'Heated Rivalry' at NYC Event

At the Community Center gala, 'Heated Rivalry' creator Jacob Tierney and his producing partner Brendan Brady, who failed to attend the event, received the Cultural Impact Award. Rachel Reid, author of the 'Game Changers' queer hockey books, presented the honor.

Ahead of the event, Center CEO Dr Carla Smith praised their work, saying, “Tierney and Brady have elevated and centered queer characters as fully realized leads whose desires, conflicts and tenderness are treated with dignity,” she said. “By championing our voices, they have brought queer joy and storytelling to the mainstream media and have created work that affirms and advances our community.”

Brooks Brothers CEO Ken Ohashi was also recognized during the evening. The event also included a performance by Melanie C, known as Sporty Spice from the Spice Girls. Tierney previously spoke at the GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles in March, saying, “I’m in a room all day writing,” and confirming he aims to stay “faithful” to the original book.

He also added, “I think I realized a little while ago that what I have to do is go back to where my head was at the first time I wrote, which was love these books and try to make the smartest thing I can make of it.”

Known more about 'Heated Rivalry'

'Heated Rivalry' is a romantic hockey drama based on Rachel Reid’s novels, focusing on the relationship between two professional hockey players.  The cast of 'Heated Rivalry' features Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, along with François Arnaud, Robbie GK, Christina Chang, Dylan Walsh, Nadine Bhabha, Sophie Nélisse, and Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova.

The story follows their rivalry on the ice and their complicated bond off it. Season 2 will be adapted from Rachel Reid’s book 'The Long Game.' It is expected to be released on HBO Max in April 2027. Filming is set to begin this summer, with Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams returning in the lead roles.

The new season is expected to continue exploring the characters’ personal and professional struggles. It will also build on the emotional tension and rivalry that made the first season popular.