Connor Storrie, a rising actor known for his role in the series "Heated Rivalry," is facing online criticism after being observed smoking a cigarette while signing autographs for fans outside his Paris hotel. The incident, which occurred on Monday night, led many social media users to label his actions as "performative" and "embarrassing."
Storrie, 26, was seen interacting with fans and pausing to light a cigarette before signing autographs. According to reports, he did not take a puff after the initial lighting. This behavior was quickly noticed by observers on social media platforms like X, formerly Twitter.
"The performative smoking is so embarrassing," one user commented on a Popcrave post. Another wrote, "Did he have to light the cigarette before signing? Holy larp."
Beyond the "performative" aspect, some users expressed disapproval of smoking in general. "People glorifying smoking in the comments is sad," one X user posted, while another stated, "Sick of them trying to make cigarettes happen again lmao."
However, Storrie also received support from his fanbase, with some followers highlighting his apparent kindness and appreciation towards his fans. "At least he seems kind and appreciative," one comment read, while another said, "Connor staying so down to earth with fans Paris treating him right!"
Storrie's career has seen a rapid ascent in recent years. Last month, he made his debut at the Met Gala, an event he attended following his rise to fame in the queer hockey romance show "Heated Rivalry." He wore an Yves Saint Laurent ensemble for the occasion, featuring a polka dot blouse and black trousers.
"Heated Rivalry," in which Storrie stars alongside Hudson Williams, depicts the story of rival professional hockey players Ilya Rozanov (Storrie) and Shane Hollander (Williams) and their developing romance off the ice. The series, based on Rachel Reid's "Game Changer" novels, has achieved significant popularity and holds a 96 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes.