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Heated Rivalry Producers Launch Irina Foundation Inspired by Show
Confirmed
In Short: Accent Aigu Entertainment, the production banner behind Heated Rivalry, launched the Irina Foundation, a real-life charity inspired by the show's fictional counterpart.
The Irina Foundation, named after Ilya Rozanov's late mother in the Rachel Reid books, was announced Tuesday at the Kate Spade New York Global Summit on Women’s Mental Health in New York City.
The foundation aims to champion LGBTQIA2S+ and underserved communities through participation in sports and the arts.
Heated Rivalry stars Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams, along with other cast members and producers, attended the summit to discuss the newly formed charity.
The foundation will support organizations that create opportunities for queer and underserved communities to participate, build relationships, and foster a sense of belonging.
Kate Spade New York made the inaugural donation to the foundation, while Harry’s is among its early supporters.
The name Irina Foundation was chosen to reflect the character Irina Rozanova from the books, who represents the idea that people facing difficult circumstances deserve support and connection.
The foundation's launch follows the start of production on the second season of Heated Rivalry in Canada last month.
Executive producers Jacob Tierney and Brendan Brady said, “For many of us, some of life’s most meaningful moments happen on a team, in a studio, or on a stage—places where we find our people, discover what lights us up, and feel like we belong.”
“We chose the name Irina Foundation because, at the heart of Heated Rivalry, Irina represents something much bigger. She reminds us that behind every struggle is a person who deserves to be seen, loved, and supported,” said Jayme Alter Wilson, president of Accent Aigu Entertainment.
What this adds
The Irina Foundation is a private independent fund that will support organizations helping people participate in sports and arts programs.
The launch builds on fundraising efforts already happening around Heated Rivalry.
Background
Heated Rivalry is a Canadian sports romance television series created, written, and directed by Jacob Tierney for Crave. Based on the Game Changers book series by Rachel Reid, the show takes its title from the 2019 second installment.
What's confirmed
- On Tuesday, the show’s production banner Accent Aigu Entertainment (AAE) launched a real version of the Irina Foundation, which is the nonprofit started by Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov in the books, named for the latter’s mother.
- The Heated Rivalry crew convened at the “Authentically Ourselves: Resilience, Belonging and Community” panel during the Women’s Mental Health Summit to talk about the show and the newly formed charity, Irina Foundation, started by Accent Aigu Entertainment, and named for the fictional foundation that Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov start in honor of the latter’s late mother in Rachel ‘s book series.
- “For many of us, some of life’s most meaningful moments happen on a team, in a studio or on a stage —places where we find our people, discover what lights us up and feel like we belong,” Jacob and Brendan shared in a statement.
- Jacob Tierney and Brendan Brady, the executive producers behind hit hockey romance series Heated Rivalry, have launched the Irina Foundation through their production company, Accent Aigu Entertainment.
- Kate Spade New York is the foundation’s inaugural donor, while men’s grooming company Harry’s is among its early supporters.
What's still developing
- The real-life foundation will provide support to existing organizations whose sports and arts programs align with its mission.
- The Irina Foundation originates in Rachel Reid’s Game Changers book series, appearing towards the end of gay religious scripture Heated Rivalry.
- Fictionally speaking, the foundation was created to raise money and awareness for mental health and suicide prevention organisations.
- Shane and Ilya’s story is inspiring something pretty special beyond the pages of Rachel Reid’s books.
- Shane and Ilya may be fictional, but the support inspired by their story is becoming very real.
- The launch builds on fundraising already happening around Heated Rivalry.
- The foundation gives that generosity a place to keep growing, with a focus that feels especially fitting for a story that has brought so many queer fans together.