Hudson Williams is generating buzz for all the wrong reasons this Oscar weekend. The Heated Rivalry star, who was all smiles while reuniting with co-star Connor Storrie at the CAA Pre-Oscars party on Friday, is facing a wave of criticism online after being spotted smoking at the event.
What was he wearing?
While the negative comments focus on his actions, his fashion choice was undeniably bold. For the star-studded party at Living Room in Los Angeles, Williams embraced the "naked dressing" trend. According to multiple outlets, he wore a sheer lace blouse from Tokyo-based label Viviano Studio, which he paired with a matching tweed vest and trousers. The outfit was a collaborative choice with his stylist, Anastasia Walker, and certainly ensured all eyes were on him as he arrived.
Fans call him performative and cringe
However, it wasn't just the outfit that caught people's attention. Photos emerged of Williams smoking, which ignited a firestorm of criticism on social media. Fans accused the 25-year-old actor of trying too hard to cultivate a "cool" image, with many labelling the habit outdated and distasteful.
One confused fan wrote, "He's funny, he's good looking, he's a good actor: why is he forcing himself to look cool. Just be yourself."
Others were more pointed in their critiques, linking the act to a broader trend they find disingenuous. "Gen Z celebs and really any of them smoking just look so deeply uncool and performative. It's the best metaphor of how they constantly try to bring back and rebrand regressive nonsense like it's new and awesome," another user posted.
The backlash was intense, with some commenters calling for more severe consequences. "This is so gross. Please stop glamorising smoking. Generation of progress gone down," one person commented, while another simply wrote, "Ew, I need him to get cancelled at this point. What is going on."
The criticism even extended back to his ensemble, as one person questioned, "So cringe, and he looks TERRIBLE, what is he wearing???"
Check out more reactions below:
Hudson Williams will be at the Oscars!
Despite the online uproar, Williams is still set to appear at the 2026 Academy Awards on Sunday, March 15. It will be a solo outing for the star; his Heated Rivalry co-star Connor Storrie is not confirmed to attend the ceremony, though their recent reunion has fueled speculation among fans.All eyes will be on Williams as he walks the red carpet at the Dolby Theatre to see if he addresses the controversy or lets his fashion do the talking.