Inside the Home of a Bridal Makeup Artist in Heated Rivalry

The Montreal apartment where some of the hottest scenes in “Heated Rivalry” take place isn’t actually located in Montreal.

It’s a two-storey house in Hamilton owned by bridal makeup artist Monika Rejnowicz, who says that Crave’s hugely popular gay hockey drama turned her family home into Shane Hollander’s romantic getaway.

The space is instantly familiar to fans: the now-iconic orange sectional couch, the winding staircase, and a bed that has hosted more action on TV than its owners ever imagined.

“My house has always been sexy,” laughs Rejnowicz, whose social media clips showcasing the show’s filming locations throughout her home have gone viral.

“We didn’t expect it to be such an adult love story, but I love it.”

Rejnowicz mentions that location scouts approached her last May to see if her home could work for the series, which revolves around a secret romance between two rival male hockey players: Hudson Williams’ Hollander and Connor Storrie’s Ilya Rozanov.

“I only allow love stories to be filmed here,” she shares, adding that several Hallmark movies and W Network productions have also been shot at her residence.

“We’ve had horror movies and thrillers come by and I’m like, absolutely not.”

After a follow-up visit from writer-director Jacob Tierney, they decided on her place. Rejnowicz says her family was “very fairly compensated” and stayed in a hotel while filming took place over about five days in June.

Connor Storrie (left) and Hudson Williams in Heated Rivalry. (Crave)

Heated Rivalry is Crave’s most-watched original series

Since its launch in November, Heated Rivalry has skyrocketed in popularity, becoming Crave’s most-watched original series ever and frequently appearing on HBO Max’s top 10 shows in the U. S.

“It’s all been so surreal, especially since they didn’t change much to make it Shane’s apartment, so that was cool to see.”

Rejnowicz notes that most of her home’s décor remained intact for Heated Rivalry, with production using many of her own furnishings – including a Mobilia couch and bed featuring a Sleep Country mattress. The pile of pillows on the bed, which Ilya teases Shane about in Episode 2, was added by the show.

“It’s a fully Canadian setup!” she exclaims

The Montreal skyline seen through the windows was added using CGI.

Rejnowicz and her husband don’t find it odd sleeping in the same bed where one of the show’s most intimate scenes – when Shane and Ilya first get together – was filmed.>

“The bedroom scene was quite intense,” she recalls.>

“At the end of the day, I think we can all agree that these are paid actors creating a love story and it’s just acting. So I don’t feel any different. It was part of a beautiful script and it is what it is.”>

“My friends are very envious,” she adds.>

Rejnowicz says their family could return home at the end of each shoot day to use their pool and check out how things were going on set.>

“Everyone involved with production was great. I have two kids, so they got to see what was happening – obviously not all of the adult-themed stuff.. Even their teachers are excited.”>

Heated Rivalry has been picked up for another season

Since its release, fans have eagerly sought out filming locations including Muskoka Lakes cottage where Shane and Ilya escape during the season finale. The drama was shot across multiple places in Ontario, mostly Hamilton and Toronto.>

Rejnowicz says she’s been inundated with messages from fans asking about Airbnb stays or tours or details about furniture itself. The orange sectional has become somewhat famous!>

“Shane texts a lot from the couch,” she points out. “There’s love that happens on this couch. It’s an awesome couch.”>

While Rejnowicz isn’t entirely against welcoming fans into her home someday; she’d need to think through everything carefully first.
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