Hudson Williams has faced backlash after an old photo of him with a swastika drawn on his forehead resurfaced over the weekend.
The Heated Rivalry star, 25, is said to be deeply regretful of the picture, which appears to have been taken several years ago.
In the photo, which is circulating on X, the actor is snapped with a group of pals in a blue shirt with markings and writing all over it, which extend to his face.
It includes a swastika on the right side of his forehead, next to an upside-down cross – often used as a demonic symbol – while he also appears to have what looks like ‘Aids’ scrawled on his neck.
Sources close to Williams told TMZ that the picture dates back to when the Canadian was in high school and took part in an annual ‘campout’ tradition, which often included underage drinking and drawing on each other’s shirts and bodies for kicks and shock reactions.
The outlet reported that Williams ‘had no idea’ what was drawn on his face at the time of the picture.
The incident was also characterised as a group of underage kinds ‘doing dumb things’ while under the influence.
Sources added that the star ‘deeply regrets’ the pic and ‘understands the hurt and disappointment’ it’s caused, noting that he doesn’t ‘condone or support’ the offensive drawings.
A pal added: ‘The markings do not and have never reflected Hudson’s beliefs, values, or character.’
Williams has enjoyed sudden stardom thanks to his role as Shane Hollander in streaming breakout hit Heated Rivalry, a queer hockey romance based on author Rachel Reid’s popular books.
He and co-star Connor Storrie have become the toast of Hollywood, invited to major events including the Oscars and the Met Gala since the show first debuted in November.
Williams claimed he was releaxed about people looking into his personal life during an appearace on Andy Cohen Live in January.
‘You can look at whatever I said, I don’t care … I’m pretty chill about it,’ he said. ‘On a scale of freaking me out it’s like a 2 out of 10.’
‘There are going to be people who have crazy reactions to it, but those people can take a hike because the people who have a healthy reaction are the only people that I care about or respect for having a developed frontal cortex.’
Metro has contacted reps for Hudson Williams for comment.
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