Olympic skier Gus Kenworthy has disclosed that he engaged in a secret, high-profile relationship with singer Miley Cyrus before publicly coming out as gay, a revelation he made in a recent interview with The New Yorker. The athlete, now 34, drew striking comparisons between his personal experiences and the fictional storyline of the popular television series ‘Heated Rivalry,’ where a closeted athlete navigates a public romance with a celebrity.
In 2014, Kenworthy and Cyrus were romantically linked after he won a silver medal at the Sochi Winter Olympics and publicly named her as his ‘dream date.’ At the time, Kenworthy was also involved in a clandestine same-sex relationship, which he kept hidden from the public. He described the dynamic with Cyrus as surreal, noting that while he appreciated her success and talent, it never felt authentic compared to his relationships with men.
Kenworthy specifically related to the character of Shane Hollander in ‘Heated Rivalry,’ who is depicted in a similar public relationship with actress Rose Landry. He admitted, ‘Miley Cyrus was my own Rose, this famous person that I was suddenly linked to,’ and expressed how the show’s portrayal mirrored his own life. The skier emphasized that the relationship was part of a larger pattern of concealing his true sexuality to maintain a public image.
The athlete also found resonance with another character, Scott Hunter, who struggles with the desire to come out but feels constrained by his circumstances. Kenworthy shared, ‘He wanted to be out, but really, just truly felt like he couldn’t be, because of his circumstances. That was me for so many years. I had the same yearning – to be in love, to be public, and to not have to hide.’ This connection highlighted the emotional toll of living in the closet while pursuing a high-profile sports career.
Cyrus, who has not yet watched ‘Heated Rivalry,’ has shown interest in contributing to the show, offering to write a song for its upcoming season. At the Palm Springs International Film Festival, she told Variety, ‘I’m so in. Book me. Get me booked.’ However, actor François Arnaud, who plays Scott Hunter, humorously retorted that she should watch the show first, adding a lighthearted note to the ongoing conversation.
Kenworthy’s admission comes as he prepares to return to competitive skiing for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, marking his fourth Olympic appearance. Since coming out in 2015, he has ventured into acting, appeared on reality TV, and engaged in various entrepreneurial and advocacy efforts, including launching an LGBTQ+ book club with Dylan Mulvaney. His openness about his past continues to inspire discussions on representation and authenticity in sports and entertainment.
The story underscores the ongoing challenges faced by LGBTQ+ athletes in balancing personal identity with public expectations. Kenworthy’s willingness to share his journey provides a poignant example of how media narratives can reflect and validate real-life experiences. As ‘Heated Rivalry’ gains popularity, his revelations add depth to the cultural impact of the show, bridging fiction and reality in meaningful ways.
Looking ahead, Kenworthy’s focus remains on his athletic comeback, while Cyrus explores new creative avenues. Their intertwined stories highlight the evolving landscape of celebrity, sexuality, and storytelling in contemporary media.
