Organizers of the viral Heated Rivalry lookalike competition announce a Scott and Kip sequel
Are you in the D.C. area, and do you bear a passing resemblance to these much-loved ‘Heated Rivalry’ characters?
Mark
The organizers of a Heated Rivalry lookalike contest in Washington, D.C., which went viral a few weeks ago, are returning to do it again. However, after finding Shane and Ilya in early April, they’re now looking for Scott and Kip.
The previous contest took place at the beginning of April, at Wunder Garten in the NoMa district of D.C. It gained attention because the internet decided the winners truly did look like the actors/characters from the hit HBO/Crave show.
In fact, not only did Felix Eller (as Ilya) and Aram Matagi (as Shane) look the part, but there was also obvious chemistry between them. They passionately shared a kiss and subsequently went on a date in real life. This led to a news item on CNN.
@felix.eller Won more than the competition #heatedrivalry #mlm #lookalike #ilya #shane ♬ All The Things She Said – t.A.T.u.
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@cnn A “Heated Rivalry” lookalike contest in DC turned into a real-life meet-cute after a viral onstage kiss, with the winners going on an eight-hour date the next day. ♬ original sound – CNN
Lucy Nuñez (known online as @itslucyinluv), a D.C.-based content creator and blind date matchmaker, and Brandon Maiden, the Strategic Director at Wunder Garten, organized the last event.
Nuñez was delighted with how things turned out for the lookalike winners, telling Hollywood Rebound, “I’m always happy to see any couple have a meet cute and have the beginning of a love story, but it just makes me especially happy to see a gay couple living their love story proudly and publicly.”
Scott and Kip
This week, Nuñez announced she and Wunder Garten (a German beer garden-styled venue) are teaming up for a second Heated Rivalry lookalike competition on Saturday, May 16, at 4pm.
On the show, François Arnaud plays hockey player Scott Hunter. He falls for barista Kip Grady, played by Robbie G.K. Their romance reached a crescendo at the end of episode five, when Scott came out by inviting his boyfriend onto the ice and kissing him.
ieri sera alla heated rivalry night hanno messo un edit di scott e kip con i’ll believe in anything e la gente ha iniziato a urlare fortissimo eppure le pazze qui sopra mi avevano garantito che non piacessero a nessuno # noticingpic.twitter.com/9M4ff6orrS— davide mirtillato
(@bluesmoothied) March 23, 2026
If you think you look like either of them, or just want to watch the fun and cheer on your favorites, register to attend via Partiful.
For Nuñez, both Heated Rivalry and the her lookalike contests, are a chance to celebrate queer joy.
“To anyone who is looking for the courage to be their authentic selves and yearn and be in love, I hope this whole story gives them a little bit of hope,” Nuñez says.
Related
The ‘cottage’ from Heated Rivalry is now available to rent
Now everyone can go to the cottage!The Heated Rivalry boys dropped in at this LA gay bar to surprise quiz night patrons
Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie surprised quiz night attendees at Hi Tops in WeHo.
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