Ex-first lady Jill Biden bid $35,000 for role on 'Heated Rivalry'

Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News on Apr 17, 2026

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

NEW YORK — Jill Biden was willing to spend some cold, hard cash for a chance to be on “Heated Rivalry.”

The former first lady put her fandom for the hit hockey show on full display Thursday during a live auction at the NYC Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center’s annual fundraiser, the Center Dinner. According to Variety, Biden was willing spend a whopping $35,000 for a walk-on role in the queer romance series’ upcoming second season as well as a dinner with the cast.

In the end, though, Biden was outbid by two people, both of whom were willing to shell out $125,000 each for the prize package.

“Guess I won’t be heading to the cottage after all — but it was worth a shot! What a wonderful evening supporting @LGBTCenterNYC,” Biden later wrote on X, responding to a post about her efforts to join the “Heated Rivalry” cast.

Other items up for bid included a signed “Heated Rivalry” Montreal Metros jersey, which went for $17,000. In total, the auction brought in more than $2 million, according to E! News.

In addition to raising funds, the annual event also features and celebrates members of LGBTQ+ community and allies whose work have contributed to real and positive change. Both Jacob Tierney — the creator, writer and director, of “Heated Rivalry” — and executive producer Brendan Brady were among those honored during the dinner Thursday night. They were given the Cultural Impact Award by Rachel Reid, the author of “Game Changers,” the book on which the show is based.

“Tierney and Brady have elevated and centered queer characters as fully realized leads whose desires, conflicts and tenderness are treated with dignity,” Dr. Carla Smith, Center CEO, said, per Variety. “By championing our voices, they have brought queer joy and storytelling to the mainstream media and have created work that affirms and advances our community.”