Did pop queen Carly Rae Jepsen name her baby after a character in Heated Rivalry? She’s determined to be on the soundtrack for season 2, plus her latest single, Motivation, shows how easy and powerful it can be to be a queer ally.
Jepsen, who has always had a special place in queer hearts, has revealed she is a huge fan of the hit hockey romance.
So huge, in fact, that her newborn son is named Ilya.
“It was an incredible show! Ilya is the name of my son. Maybe, not maybe because of that show,” Jepsen told The Hollywood Reporter.
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For those who have somehow managed to avoid the gay hockey phenomenon that is Heated Rivalry, Ilya Rozanov is one half of the central romance played by Connor Storrie in the TV series.
Frankly, we support the commitment to the bit.
Carly Rae wants to write for Heated Rivalry Season 2
The “Call Me Maybe” singer was reportedly on showrunner Jacob Tierney’s wishlist for Season 1.
He revealed that he wanted to ask Jepsen about contributing an original song. The problem was money.
Jepsen was simply out of the show’s budget at the time.
Now that Heated Rivalry has become a global sensation, however, the possibility is definitely back on the table.
Jepsen told The Hollywood Reporter that writing music for the second season “would be a dream”.
All eyes on you now, Jacob 👀
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Motivation brings more chosen family joy
Her latest single, Motivation, is the most recent drop from her upcoming double album Day and Night.
The track explores family, expectations and finding your own way, with Jepsen also describing it as an anthem for chosen families.
The music video was filmed in Paris and celebrates different forms of connection.
Featuring the RuPaul’s Drag Race alum turned fashion designer, actor and model, Gigi Goode.
And fans are loving it’s portrayal of queer people as just normal every day people.
I think Carly Rae Jepsen portraying queer people as just ordinary people is a lot more powerful than other music videos that depicts a fantastical image of us.
‘Motivation’ shows that queer people don’t necessarily need to be introduced, explained or justified. They can simply inhabit the story.
— Gabe ✩ ᒼᴿᴶ (@lastthingtwice) August 23, 2026
Carly Rae Jepsen continues to show her allyship in every part of her life and art and we are so here for it.
Now somebody get her on that Heated Rivalry season 2 soundtrack. The woman deserves it.
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