“We Learned Five Years of Fame in 30 Days”: Hudson Williams on Sudden Stardom

Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie are still adjusting to a level of fame that arrived almost overnight.

Since their breakout project Heated Rivalry premiered, the two actors have gone from relative unknowns to walking red carpets, presenting at the Golden Globes and attending Milan Fashion Week — all within a matter of weeks. It’s the kind of rapid rise many actors never experience in an entire career.

Ahead of the Golden Globes, Williams sat down with Evan Ross Katz for part one of an in-depth conversation on the Shut Up Evan podcast. The episode, which will wrap up on Jan. 27, offered a candid look at how sudden stardom has reshaped his life.

Williams admitted the public reaction has been overwhelming and, at times, disorienting. “I was just talking with one of my agents yesterday, and she said Connor and I have had to learn what a lot of actors get in five years, in like 30 days,” he said. The fast pace has forced both actors to make major career decisions almost immediately — from choosing between high-profile projects to managing a nonstop press schedule.

One of the biggest challenges, Williams explained, is simply keeping up with the flood of scripts and offers. With limited time, he’s had to rethink how he evaluates opportunities. “Do I read 10 pages? Do I just read the log line? What do we say no to before really giving it the full time of day?” he said, noting that it’s impossible to read everything thoroughly while still meeting deadlines.

Beyond the professional pressure, Williams also spoke about the emotional toll of fame. He described the discomfort of being photographed without consent and the constant feeling of being watched. “That person didn’t necessarily want that photo taken,” he said of paparazzi shots. “It doesn’t make us feel safe or really like we can disarm.”

The loss of privacy has even affected everyday tasks. Williams recalled feeling social anxiety — something he hadn’t experienced since ninth grade — while trying to buy lighter fluid at a Vancouver SkyTrain station. Dressed casually and hoping to blend in, he found himself “planning my exit” to avoid attention.

Reflecting on how celebrity changes public perception, Williams compared his experience to that of BTS. He said he never fully understood the intensity of their fame until he began experiencing it himself. “There’s an element of that’s not another human, that’s a celebrity,” he said, adding that the shift has left him feeling constantly guarded. “We feel very always on defense.”

As Williams and Storrie continue navigating their sudden success, the interview offers a rare glimpse into the realities behind a meteoric rise — the excitement, the pressure and the personal cost that comes with being thrust into the spotlight.