How Heated Rivalry’s Connor Storrie Perfected Russian Accent

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Connor Storrie had a solid game plan when it came to embodying Ilya Rozanov. 

The actor from Heated Rivalry, a native of Texas, is surprising fans with his perfect Russian accent and fluency. He stars with Hudson Williams and François Arnaud in the adaptation of Rachel Reid’s work, and he says consistent practice is the key to mastering a skill.

Connor explained to Behind the Blinds that being consistent with his accent was key. He started using it as soon as he arrived on set, speaking with the accent to everyone – from production assistants to the hair and makeup team – and maintained it until filming wrapped each day. He wasn’t necessarily ‘acting,’ but found it helped him prepare and get into the right headspace for about an hour and a half.

The 25-year-old actor has impressed audiences with his performance as the Russian hockey player, but he initially found the accent difficult and silly to perform.

He went on to explain, “You’ll probably think, ‘That doesn’t sound like me.’ And that’s natural. But if you get used to the new way of speaking—both for yourself and for others—it will start to feel more comfortable. I believe that’s why some people tell themselves they can’t do accents – they don’t allow themselves to sound imperfect when they’re first learning.”

Honestly, it blew my mind! Even Connor seemed shocked at how easily he convinced all the Heated Rivalry fans he’d grown up in Russia. It was like, overnight, everyone thought he was one of them! I couldn’t believe how convincing he was – it was pure genius, seriously.

He remembered thinking, ‘There’s no way I can do that,’ when he first read the script, referencing the challenge of performing a Russian accent. He shared this in an interview with Much Music alongside his co-star, Hudson, and added with confidence, ‘But I nailed it!’

Connor isn’t alone in altering his voice for a part. Actors like Austin Butler and Ariana Grande recently gained attention because their ways of speaking were noticeably different even after finishing their roles as Elvis and in Wicked.

For Ariana, it came down to the register she needed to sing in as Glinda the Good. 

She explained on the Smartless podcast that she adjusts how she uses her voice to keep it healthy. Essentially, she slightly raises the pitch, which is a good practice for vocal health.

Ariana deliberately changed how she sings, but Austin had to work hard to avoid sounding like Elvis Presley.

Austin Butler revealed on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in 2024 that he worked with a dialect coach to lose the voice he’d developed while playing Elvis. He described it as a significant effort.

Everyone is currently loving Heated Rivalry, but unfortunately, fans will have to be patient for season two—and more of Connor’s perfect accent! Until then, here’s a look at other upcoming premieres you won’t want to miss…

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The Hunting Party is a thrilling crime series centered around Rebecca “Bex” Henderson (Melissa Roxburgh), a former FBI profiler. She leads a small team tasked with recapturing incredibly dangerous criminals who have broken out of “The Pit,” a secret government prison no one is supposed to know about. As Bex and her team hunt these escaped killers, they uncover a disturbing truth: the prison itself is far more sinister than the criminals it held, and wasn’t simply a place of confinement.

This story is based on the real lives of people struggling to survive in London’s tough East End during the 1880s. A year has passed, and Hezekiah is a broken man, while Sugar Goodson is isolated from his family and battling alcoholism. Just when the neighborhood of Wapping seems doomed, Mary Carr returns with her trusted ally, Alice Diamond, determined to rebuild her gang and regain control. Mary always has a scheme, and this one is her most dangerous yet, involving everyone she cares about.

As a lifestyle expert, I’ve seen firsthand the stress that money issues can put on relationships, and OWN’s new series, Maxxed Out, really dives into that. It’s a raw and honest look at the emotional and financial struggles so many families and friends are facing right now in America.

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Okay, so I’m completely hooked on this new TLC show! It’s amazing – they’re following six people who are basically giving up their normal lives to see what it’s like to live Amish. They’re moving to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and totally immersing themselves in this incredibly different world. Each one is seriously considering becoming Amish – can you imagine?! It’s fascinating watching them try to adapt to a life built on faith, hard work, and just…simplicity. They’re leaving everything behind for a chance at a completely different way of life, and honestly, I’m obsessed with seeing if they’ll actually do it and how it changes them. It’s all about community and a slower pace, and it’s just…beautiful to watch, even if it’s totally different from anything I know!

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Get ready for the return of Fear Factor, now called Fear Factor: House of Fear! Hosted by Johnny Knoxville, this revamped competition throws a group of strangers into a challenging and isolated location. They’ll live together while facing terrifying stunts, difficult challenges, and a complex social game where alliances shift quickly and fear can be used against you. In the end, only one brave contestant will overcome their fears and win a huge cash prize!

Oh my god, you HAVE to hear about these women! It’s incredible. There’s Beth, a teacher, and Kitty, who… well, let’s just say she’s a bit of a wild card. And then there’s a police officer, a pub landlady, and a midwife! They’re all going through the change, and they decide – get this – to start a punk band! It’s for a local talent contest, but it’s SO much more than that. They really find their voices, you know? As they get closer, I found out Beth and Kitty have this amazing, but totally heartbreaking, connection. It’s just… wow. I’m completely obsessed with their story!

Season two debuts.

Season four debuts in its regular time slot.

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The ninth season of American Idol is coming to ABC, marking the show’s 24th season overall. Fan favorites Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, and Carrie Underwood are back as judges, along with host Ryan Seacrest. This season, Idol is shaking things up by holding the famous Hollywood Week in Nashville. Called “Hollywood Week: Music City Takeover,” this single-round audition will be the most competitive Hollywood Week ever, with more hopefuls being cut than in the show’s history.

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2026-01-06 17:21