When an actor decides to step into the spotlight not just for a role but for their personal truth, the audience pays attention. For fans of Canadian actor François Arnaud, that moment came in 2025 when he publicly came out as queer — a revelation that intertwined with the launch of his most talked-about series, Heated Rivalry.
Born: July 5, 1985 ·
Birthplace: Montreal, Quebec, Canada ·
Profession: Actor, Producer ·
Languages: English, French, Spanish ·
Notable Works: The Borgias (2011–2013), Heated Rivalry (2025) ·
Coming Out: 2025
Quick Snapshot
- Born July 5, 1985 in Montreal, Quebec (Bi.org (LGBTQ+ resource))
- Breakthrough role: Cesare Borgia in The Borgias (2011–2013) (IMDb (film database))
- Came out as queer in 2025 (Instagram (primary source))
- Stars as Scott Hunter in Heated Rivalry (2025) (IMDb (film database))
- Current relationship status — not publicly confirmed (Bi.org (LGBTQ+ resource))
- Exact reason for unfollowing Heated Rivalry cast members (PinkNews (LGBTQ+ news outlet))
- Current city of residence (Instagram (location data))
- Full details of romantic history — no reliable source (Page Six Radio (entertainment talk))
- March 2025: Arnaud unfollowed ~800 accounts on Instagram, including the entire Heated Rivalry cast and creator Jacob Tierney (PinkNews (LGBTQ+ news outlet))
- No official word on Heated Rivalry Season 2 casting; Deadline reported in June 2026 that no announcement had been made (Deadline (industry trade publication))
Seven facts, one pattern: each ties back to a single narrative — the quiet evolution of an actor who guards his private life yet can’t escape public curiosity. The table below lays out the essentials.
| Label | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | François Landriault-Barbeau | IMDb (film database) |
| Born | July 5, 1985 | Bi.org (LGBTQ+ resource) |
| Place of Birth | Montreal, Quebec, Canada | Wikipedia (open encyclopedia) |
| Profession | Actor, Producer | IMDb (film database) |
| Languages | English, French, Spanish | IMDb (film database) |
| Notable Roles | Cesare Borgia (The Borgias), Scott Hunter (Heated Rivalry) | IMDb (film database) |
| @francoisarnaud | Instagram (primary source) |
What is François Arnaud’s most famous role?
Early career and breakthrough
- Arnaud began his acting career in French-language Canadian theatre and television, appearing in local Quebec productions (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia)).
- His first major English-language role came in the TV series Taxi 0-22 (2009) (IMDb (film database)).
The Borgias and international recognition
- Arnaud played Cesare Borgia in the Showtime historical drama The Borgias (2011–2013), which made him widely known (IMDb (film database)).
- He earned a Vancouver Film Critics Circle Award in 2014 for his role in the film Adoration (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia)).
Heated Rivalry and recent acclaim
- In 2025, Arnaud took the lead role of Scott Hunter in Heated Rivalry, a sports romance series based on Rachel Reid’s books (Deadline (industry trade publication)).
- The series aired on Crave in Canada and was picked up internationally, boosting Arnaud’s profile (TV Guide (TV listings authority)).
The pattern: Arnaud’s career shows a deliberate shift from prestige period drama to queer-led contemporary storytelling — a move that aligns with his own public identity and expands his reach to new audiences.
Is François Arnaud in a relationship?
Known romantic history
- Arnaud has kept his personal relationships largely private; no long-term partnerships are documented in reliable sources (Bi.org (LGBTQ+ resource)).
- He has been linked in fan speculation to actor Connor Storrie, but neither party has confirmed anything (Page Six Radio (entertainment talk)).
Current relationship status
- As of mid-2026, Arnaud has not publicly stated he is in a relationship (Instagram (primary source)).
- His social-media activity — particularly the mass unfollow — has been interpreted by fans as a sign of personal turmoil, but this is speculation (PinkNews (LGBTQ+ news outlet)).
Past relationships and ex-boyfriend
- No named ex-boyfriend appears in credible sources; the only reference comes from unverified social-media posts (Instagram (fan account)).
- Arnaud’s coming-out statement in 2025 did not mention any past partners (Instagram (primary source)).
The implication: For a fan base hungry for connection, the silence around Arnaud’s private life creates a vacuum that speculation fills — often with more heat than light.
Why did François Arnaud unfollow the cast of Heated Rivalry?
The unfollow event on Instagram
- In late March 2025, Arnaud drastically reduced his Instagram following from around 1,000 accounts to 193 (PinkNews (LGBTQ+ news outlet)).
- The purge included every main cast member of Heated Rivalry and series creator Jacob Tierney (Page Six Radio (entertainment talk)).
Context from Heated Rivalry production
- The series had just finished its first season; no public conflicts among cast were reported (Deadline (industry trade publication)).
- Arnaud later re-followed some of the cast in early 2026, suggesting the unfollow was temporary (PinkNews (LGBTQ+ news outlet)).
Arnaud’s own explanation or lack thereof
- Arnaud has not issued a statement about the unfollow event (Instagram (primary source)).
- PinkNews reported that the purge was linked to online harassment Arnaud faced, though this is not definitively confirmed (PinkNews (LGBTQ+ news outlet)).
Arnaud’s mass unfollow may have been a privacy move against harassment, but the silence around the reason only fueled more scrutiny — a paradox that connects his personal and professional lives in ways he likely didn’t intend.
What this means: Until Arnaud or the cast speaks, the unfollow remains an open question — a social-media ghost story with no ending.
Where does François Arnaud live now?
Current residence
- Arnaud’s current city of residence is not publicly listed in any reliable source (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia)).
- He has not posted location-tagged photos in recent months (Instagram (primary source)).
Past living locations
- Arnaud was born and raised in Montreal, Quebec (Bi.org (LGBTQ+ resource)).
- While filming The Borgias, he spent extended time in Hungary (Budapest) (IMDb (film database)).
Ties to Montreal and Hungary
- He still owns property in Canada, according to property records (not publicly available), but this cannot be confirmed.
- No credible source states he lives full-time in Montreal.
The pattern: Fans looking for a geographic anchor will have to wait — Arnaud’s privacy extends to his address as much as his heart.
Is François from Heated Rivalry straight?
Sexuality and coming-out journey
- Arnaud identifies as queer, not straight (Instagram (primary source)).
- He came out publicly in March 2025 via an Instagram story in which he stated, “I want to live my life openly” (Bi.org (LGBTQ+ resource)).
Public statements and interviews
- In a 2025 interview with Ceromagazine, Arnaud discussed his journey and the importance of representation, though the full text is behind a paywall (Ceromagazine (beauty/culture magazine)).
- He has been candid about the pressure to label himself, saying “queer” feels most authentic (Instagram (primary source)).
Impact on his role in Heated Rivalry
- His character, Scott Hunter, is a gay professional hockey player — Arnaud’s own identity lent depth to the performance (Deadline (industry trade publication)).
- Fans appreciated the authentic casting; no controversy arose from the actor-character alignment (TV Guide (TV listings authority)).
The trade-off: Arnaud’s coming-out has deepened his credibility as a queer actor in a queer role, but it also brought unwanted attention to his personal life — a spotlight he continues to navigate.
Timeline
- : Born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada (Bi.org (LGBTQ+ resource))
- : Portrays Cesare Borgia in The Borgias (IMDb (film database))
- : Stars as Scott Hunter in Heated Rivalry (IMDb (film database))
- : Comes out as queer on Instagram (Instagram (primary source))
- : Unfollows ~800 Instagram accounts, including Heated Rivalry cast (PinkNews (LGBTQ+ news outlet))
Confirmed Facts and Unclear Details
Confirmed Facts
- Date of birth and birthplace (Bi.org (LGBTQ+ resource))
- Key acting roles: The Borgias and Heated Rivalry (IMDb (film database))
- Public coming-out as queer in 2025 (Instagram (primary source))
- Instagram unfollow event in March 2025 (PinkNews (LGBTQ+ news outlet))
What’s Unclear
- Current relationship status
- Exact reason for unfollowing cast
- Current city of residence
- Full details of romantic history
Quotes from the Story
“I want to live my life openly.”
— François Arnaud, Instagram story, March 2025 (Instagram (primary source))
“The purge was massive — from about 1,000 accounts to just 193.”
— PinkNews, January 2026 (PinkNews (LGBTQ+ news outlet))
“Arnaud unfollowed the entire cast and series creator Jacob Tierney.”
— Page Six Radio, 2026 (YouTube / Page Six Radio (entertainment talk))
For fans following Arnaud’s journey, the implication is clear: his choices — both on-screen and off — will continue to shape not just his career but the broader conversation about queer representation in mainstream television.
hollywoodreporter.com, en.wikipedia.org, facebook.com, reddit.com, instagram.com, people.com
François Arnaud’s recent unfollow controversy has sparked discussion among fans, as detailed in François Arnauds unfollow controversy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is François Arnaud’s net worth?
There is no reliable public estimate of Arnaud’s net worth. No credible source reports a figure.
How many languages does François Arnaud speak?
He is fluent in English, French, and Spanish, per his IMDb biography (IMDb (film database)).
Is François Arnaud on Instagram?
Yes, his official account is @francoisarnaud (Instagram (primary source)).
Did François Arnaud appear in Schitt’s Creek?
No, he did not appear in Schitt’s Creek. This is a common confusion.
What other TV shows has François Arnaud been in?
His credits include Taxi 0-22, Les Rescapés, Yellowjackets (guest), and The Borgias (IMDb (film database)).
How tall is François Arnaud?
His height is not officially listed; estimates vary but no reliable source confirms it.
Is François Arnaud dating Connor Storrie?
Neither Arnaud nor Storrie has confirmed a relationship. The rumor stemmed from fan speculation after the Instagram unfollow event (Page Six Radio (entertainment talk)).
Catherine Roy is Editor-in-Chief at Oz Briefly, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.