Rachel Reid published Heated Rivalry in 2019, introducing a decade-long secret affair between Canadian media darling Shane Hollander and brazen Russian superstar Ilya Rozanov. For years, the book circulated as a cult favorite within MM (male/male) romance spaces. Then, short-form video creators began experimenting with bolder sonic pairings.
Instead of traditional indie-pop ballads or melancholic orchestral themes often slapped onto romance edits, creators pulled Megan Thee Stallion’s "Big Ole Freak." The track drips with unapologetic swagger, physical confidence, and aggressive rhythm. Layering that energy over Ilya Rozanov’s cocky public persona and Shane Hollander’s hidden intensity unlocked an electric dynamic. The pairing worked because it bypassed conventional romantic sweetness, highlighting raw athletic bravado, secret heat, and mutual obsession.
The edit took off when users realized the lyrics aligned with Ilya’s deliberate arrogance on the ice and his hidden vulnerability off it. Short bursts of Megan's verses punch through screen cuts showing fan-rendered illustrations, hockey tape tearing, and ice-spray slow-motion. The juxtaposition created a distinct aesthetic subgenre across BookTok.
