Trump-Hating Actress Rejects Role In Gay Hockey Drama Over Fears Of ICE

Actress Margaret Cho said she turned down a role in the popular gay hockey drama “Heated Rivalry” because it was filming in Canada and she was afraid of being “detained at the border.”

The 57-year-old comedian and outspoken Trump critic made the comments during a recent appearance on the “I Never Liked You” podcast.

“Last year, I got a pilot script for a show that I really loved, but it shot in Canada. I was, like, so scared because I’m so vocal about hating ICE and hating this administration,” she said. “I was like, I will get detained at the border and I will be put in ICE detention if I go. And I was like struggling over it, and I had to talk to all these people about it, and I was super upset, and I said no. And it was ‘Heated Rivalry.’”

“Like, it kills me,” Cho added. “And it’s all because of Trump.”

She further stated that she asked showrunners about being involved in season two, which is currently in development. “I asked them, we’ll see,” Cho said.

The stand-up comedian made headlines in 2023 for advocating for trans characters in Disney projects. Cho said as much after playing an LGBTQ guidance counselor in the made-for-TV Disney+ movie, “Prom Pact.”

“I would love to see them everywhere,” Cho said of “queer characters” in kids’ films. “I would love to see trans characters and different types of people in roles of, like, Disney princess, Disney prince, and Disney everything.”

“I think this would be really important and it’s a move towards the future,” she added. “It’s a move towards who we are. I think it’s really admirable and really exciting.”

“Heated Rivalry,” which became a breakout hit in 2025, follows two closeted hockey players who engage in a romantic relationship. It’s been criticized for featuring graphic sexual content. Despite that, it has been especially popular with heterosexual women.

Former first lady Jill Biden was fully prepared to shell out $35,000 for a chance to appear in an upcoming season of the show after bidding on the prize during an LGBT charity auction last month.