Richmonder's viral "Heated Rivalry" contest kiss boosts LGBTQ work
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Aram Matagi, left, and Richmonder Felix Eller at a Boston Bruins game, where they ran into Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova, right, who plays Svetlana in "Heated Rivalry." Photos: Courtesy of Felix Eller
Richmonder Felix Eller can't seem to escape the spotlight since kissing a stranger and winning a "Heated Rivalry" lookalike contest in D.C. last month.
Why it matters: Nationwide, his story has become a rare feel-good moment in a heavy news cycle. Back home, it's bringing more attention to his work creating LGBTQ events where Richmonders can connect and feel seen.
Catch up quick: "Heated Rivalry," the book-turned-HBO-streaming hit that follows the love story of two professional male hockey players, has become a cultural obsession since its November release.
- It spawned lookalike contests across the country for the lead characters Ilya Rozanov, a broody Russian, and Shane Hollander, his archrival.
- And it's led to Richmonders stopping Eller — especially at Babes, one of the nation's last lesbian bars — to tell him he looks like Ilya.
- Under his TikTok comments, people keep asking him to speak with a Russian accent and whether he's seen the show.
Fun fact: Eller told Axios in an interview last week that he hadn't until D.C. hosts asked him to join two lookalike contests (he won both).
- But it was the Wunder Garten contest last month that went viral, after fellow contestant Aram Matagi, the Shane lookalike, spontaneously kissed Eller in the final round.
- They've since gone on multiple dates, including an Uber-sponsored one, drawing more love for the surreal meet-cute.
- They're taking it slow, he said, but "any time we make plans, I am excited or giddy all week until they happen."
Yes, but: That's only part of Eller's story.
- He's been building LGBTQ community spaces in Richmond long before the internet buzz, organizing queer run clubs at Babes and Gold Lion and picnic meetups at the VMFA.
- What started as a handful of people now draws 30-40 attendees regularly, Eller said.
- Some have told him that these groups have become their "chosen family" and "the thing I look forward to all week."
What they're saying: That's the best thing that's come out of this, he told Axios. "The community building."
Zoom in: He's channeling the momentum toward a new app, "Hit the Town," that he hopes to launch in August with Richmond and D.C. as its first cities.
- With crowdfunding, it'll help users find local businesses and filter by identity — like family-, women-, Black-, Hispanic-, Asian- or queer-owned businesses — all in one place.
- Eventually, he wants to allow businesses to offer deals — like discounts for voting, staying active or supporting local — to reward engagement.
What we're watching: Eller told Axios that a beta version could come to Richmond around Memorial Day, but that's TBD.
The bottom line: The internet might have made him go viral, but Richmond is where he's making it count.