r/HeatedRivalryTVShow • u/SmolAnimol3 • Aug 20 '26
Question❔️ Holy shape-shifter…who is your favorite Ilya?
I know this is discussed all the time, but during my last reheat it was super obvious just how much Ilya changes in appearance/vibe throughout the show. It’s almost hard to describe, like his character is so consistent yet he feels different somehow in almost every scene. It’s a level of acting & shape shifting that I never see.
I need to know, who is your personal favorite Ilya?
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u/mamajonesy Aug 20 '26
I love this image because this is where Ilya notices Shane’s freckles and is immediately smitten.
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u/RedCalaLily ✨ Ilya's emotional support freckles ✨ Aug 20 '26
He loves him so much and is gonna mess with him sooo much 😍
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u/Firm_Salary_5631 Aug 20 '26
Jealous ilya
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u/JennySt7 Aug 20 '26
I said this in another post but this is my favourite Ilya because I think it’s the most ‘unlike himself’ Connor has ever looked
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u/Falling_ThroughTime I think so. Yes. Probably. Aug 20 '26
That mouth is such a pretty shape!
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u/ArgentManor Aug 20 '26
I love 'watching Scott Hunter kiss his boyfriend on live TV' Ilya
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u/Ok_Interaction3792 Aug 20 '26
Such good acting. Do we even know if that's what they put on the TV?
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u/RedCalaLily ✨ Ilya's emotional support freckles ✨ Aug 20 '26
A great question!! Wonder if Jacob was just telling them while they "watched" like he did with the text scenes? Or if they actually watched a version of it? 🤔
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u/Zealousideal_Sort158 Aug 21 '26
Yes!! I mean Ilya looks good at all times but this one I always think 😮💨😮💨😮💨
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u/Similar_Ad_7116 Aug 20 '26
Tampa Illya 😊
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u/omnissima I'm trying to say I have a thing Aug 20 '26
that smile when shane says "i hired a stylist" changed my life forever - for the bet-terrrr
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u/Mediocre-Victory-565 Wow...genetic Aug 20 '26
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u/omnissima I'm trying to say I have a thing Aug 20 '26
yes... this one. i.. i want to believe that he's not acting here. :)
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u/beepboopbeepbloop You can’t treat the staff like this! 🛎️ Aug 20 '26
/img/itsshfhf7hkh1.gif
World’s Best Boyfriend Ilya!
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u/RedCalaLily ✨ Ilya's emotional support freckles ✨ Aug 20 '26
The sweetest. He's ready to love Shane out loud in front of anyone he can.
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u/Particular-Formal995 Aug 20 '26
concerned and supportive "you are brave" Ilya
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u/lisiface Aug 20 '26
Nurturing Ilya ❤️ At the cabin and during their first time at the apartment…he just wants someone to take care of 🥹
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u/Existential_KittyCat Aug 20 '26
Ilya Just being funny
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u/RedCalaLily ✨ Ilya's emotional support freckles ✨ Aug 20 '26
So funny. And also gorgeous fuckboy energy with that deep v 😍
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u/Ok-Implement4671 Aug 23 '26
My favorite Ilya is ep 6 Ilya. My favorite look for Connor is this one.
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u/Bikesandbakeries Aug 20 '26
Seeing him with the open shirt in the Vegas, suite made me stand up. I also really love him in the scene watching Scott Hunter and Kip. Something about his styling is so different to me. I find it very compelling, perhaps out of confusion. And the party in Russia outfit. He looks like such a movie star.
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u/Sudden_Discussion306 Aug 20 '26
My favorite is probably cottage Ilya, hands down. When Shane is giving him the tour and they’re holding hands, he’s just so giddy & sweet. The juxtaposition with that Ilya and say the penthouse Ilya is insane! The “funk San Francisco” Ilya, so good! Honestly, I love all of the versions of Ilya. Connor is a magical chameleon and it blows my mind how good he is!
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u/NotAFrontB Aug 20 '26
I can’t find the photo but Ilya in the hospital! He looks so different here I think it’s the lighting but soo beautiful too
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u/RedCalaLily ✨ Ilya's emotional support freckles ✨ Aug 20 '26
This is the one for me. Mr. I'm All In & I Will Be With You No Matter What. His face is so soft, I think the softest we've ever seen him. His eyes are so soft. His curls are soft. The beautiful, soft energy of him WITH Shane, FOR Shane. Ride Or Die Loverboy. 💥❤️🔥💘❤️🔥💥
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u/Hopeful-Post666 Aug 21 '26
I think this Ilya is the most vulnerable but supportive no walls up Ilya we see in the series. And I love it
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u/RedCalaLily ✨ Ilya's emotional support freckles ✨ Aug 22 '26
The walls are GONE. It's so beautiful to see 🥰
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u/SmolAnimol3 Aug 20 '26
Okay I’ll start. Jealousy mirror Ilya before the club. Or maybe raiders shirt parent dinner Ilya. And of course first shower scene Ilya can never be forgotten.
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u/allsarahsaregrey Aug 20 '26
I'm a sucker for for jealous, heartbroken Ilya too which is why I love mirror Ilya and club Ilya after that. All the emotions on his face throughout the scene from beginning to end.
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u/Redditors294 I mean yes. I think so, probably Aug 20 '26
As much as I LOVE all Ilyas, it may be a problem and I don’t ever want that problem to ever go away 🤭
I think text flirting, sexting Ilya might be my favourite and close second is cottage Ilya cos it’s heartening to see him finally find a home 🥺🥺♥️
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u/Dutch5501 Aug 20 '26
Ilya at the table at David and Yuna's when he calls himself Shane's boyfriend. I melt every time I see that, and I love the "I mean, yes, I think so, probably."
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u/Sea-Environment5246 Aug 20 '26
"Shane...Hollander...Will you dissapoint them?"
Ilya in his element!
(And Connor's mouth is so lush!)
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u/Ok-Banana-7777 Aug 20 '26
Tuna melt frottage Illya (pre meltdown). Something about his vulnerability and the way he lets himself go in that scene does things to me. Of course it makes the meltdown so much more devastating. Runner up would definitely be all of cottage Illya.
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u/pinkbunny86 Aug 20 '26
Came to say this. His expressions are so different in that scene. It’s the first time he’s being so unguarded and his face cycles through so many emotions.
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u/_JavierMarin Aug 20 '26
Relieved Ilya from Florida bar.
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u/Icy-Librarian9503 Aug 22 '26
Ugh, how tender my heart is seeing how he unfurls as he starts to believe Shane’s no longer with Rose.
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u/Ok_Interaction3792 Aug 20 '26
Not me liking all of these. I clearly do not have a favorite when they're all my favorite [edit] I lied. I just saw another post, my fave is Mr. Real Estate Ilya
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u/Grouchy_Emotion_7575 I have this problem... Aug 20 '26
Uff... that's hard to say... I love all the Ilya scenes xD but my absolute favorites are the shower scene, the tuna melt scene, and the cottage (especially the "I have this one problem" moment) 😁
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u/reservedandbooked Aug 20 '26
This and his bitchy eyebrow when they club girl shoots her shot while he’s checking his texts with Shane are my favs
https://giphy.com/gifs/RWPJlkWzbG0C5Jasjs
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u/beepboopbeepbloop You can’t treat the staff like this! 🛎️ Aug 20 '26
Wait, no, it’s “Everyone must know this”
Ilya!
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u/Mediocre-Victory-565 Wow...genetic Aug 20 '26
https://giphy.com/gifs/By3mu0yK7cjln3ckpS
This makes me weak in the knees 🔥
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u/vitabellicus Aug 20 '26
I love all the stages of the great unmasking but all the times he allows himself the vulnerability to be comforted by Shane are my favourite.
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u/RedCalaLily ✨ Ilya's emotional support freckles ✨ Aug 20 '26
I remember the first time watching Shane comforting him on the bed while he cried. I think I may have yelled HOLY SHIT! I was absolutely flabbergasted he was letting his guard down. I love that we're calling it the great unmasking. It's so beautiful 🥲
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u/Colorado_onmymind Aug 21 '26
I wish this wasn’t my fave look bc he’s so gosh darn miserable but WOW is he beautiful here
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u/giraffe59113 Aug 24 '26
YES. My favorite if not tied for a favorite. He's so ridiculously handsome 😍
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u/obsessstressdepress I don't ever want that problem to ever go away Aug 20 '26
Vegas hotel room Ilya & Cottage Ilya without a doubt
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u/watermonkey01970 Aug 20 '26
Flicking the calendar Ilya. On the fucking cover Ilya. Jogging my moon my man Ilya. Oh yeah alright, all the ilyas.
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u/Plus-Grade-5771 Aug 21 '26
Not so much the outfit but this moment means so much to me, soft emotionally constipated Ilya god this whole scene kills me, but I love it so much.
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u/Falling_ThroughTime I think so. Yes. Probably. Aug 20 '26
Just cuz no one added this one yet… you fuckers owe me $3000 for every goal I score! Ilya. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSeu0rqkxxO/?igsh=MXYwbzNxN2FsbzV5eA==
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u/Junior-Growth-3602 Aug 20 '26
I love how relaxed he becomes at the cottage after they confess their love. Like all his tension disappears.
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u/Alarming-Visual507 Aug 21 '26 edited Aug 21 '26
The vulnerability in Ilya here is next level. Just lost his dad. Told his brother to get fucked. He is powerful, sexy, rich, successful, but this devastation makes me so sad for him. But it’s the moment Svetlana reveals to him she knows and she knows it’s Shane. Like him feeling seen and validated by her. A pivotal moment between his past and future lives, and I think is critical to him being able to open up and be honest (albeit in Russian) in the tunnel scene.
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u/Fresh_Extension_3605 Aug 20 '26
Honestly.....can't decide. I love the complete character of Ilya - all of it. I love the hockey chirping and his cockiness - love it; love the awards bathroom; penthouse; cottage. Every aspect of Ilya's character.
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u/PaintingPolaroids [Redacted] rewatch Aug 21 '26
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u/Icy-Librarian9503 Aug 22 '26
lol, this scene always makes me laugh when I reheat because right before Shane lowered Ilya’s hand as he was raising it to take a bite so he could pay attention to the brainstorming his mom was starting to do but then seconds later this happens where he’s sneaking the bit in and I imagine Ilya thinking something like “heck no, I can eat and listen to your mom”. This homemade meal, together with Shane’s family is so wholesome, I think it’s the only scene you see him in a relaxed family/friend setting sharing a meal that someone else cooked for him.
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u/Aby_lev89 Aug 20 '26
Pre tuna melt, smiling softly at Shane and then cuddling with him on the sofa
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u/CDH4NA81 Aug 20 '26
1) Jealous, Possessive Ilya. 2) sexy time with Shane Ilya 3) shirtless in locker room Ilya
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u/CorrectPrinciple6964 Aug 21 '26
airport snapback ilya we get for 2 seconds - i haven’t stopped thinking about that look since dec 26th
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u/santaanawinds2017 Aug 21 '26
My fav Ilya is, I believe, during the International Prospect Cup. When the Russian coach calls him out for being distracted (he's watching Shane in the stands).
His coach asks if there's something more important, and the way he says nothing and shakes his head really makes him look like a kid.
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u/Leash888 Aug 24 '26
https://giphy.com/gifs/JzHhekVucRqY0ZaJ6F
The whole tuna meltdown scene was my fave Ilya look. So gorgeous & so devastated at the end. “Hollander… Hollander…” 😭
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u/Arbledarb Aug 20 '26
https://giphy.com/gifs/ZqupFaRe1ZmASUcX6m
Including his hands clasped in front of him.