On the eve of his birthday, Heated Rivalry breakout Hudson Williams traded cake for culture.
The rising actor co-hosted Gold House’s Lunar New Year celebration alongside Yerin Ha, one of the standout additions to Bridgerton, at Chinese Tuxedo on Thursday night. The Manhattan gathering drew a cross-section of Asian Pacific talent from film, television, publishing and beyond, turning the downtown hotspot into a room full of familiar faces and rising names.
Williams, who brought his mom as his date, appeared relaxed as he moved through the crowd. If there were any birthday nerves, they were well hidden. The actor has quickly become one of the season’s most talked-about newcomers, and hosting duties only added to his momentum.
A Night Centered on Heritage
Gold House, the nonprofit dedicated to advancing Asian and Pacific Islander representation, marked the Lunar New Year with remarks from Ha that underscored the meaning behind the celebration.
“This year, we welcome the Year of the Horse,” Ha told attendees. She described the symbol as representing strength, freedom and forward motion. For the actor, those themes connect directly to her work. When she stepped into the role of Sophie Baek on Bridgerton, she said, honoring her culture was not an afterthought but a foundation. Heritage informed the character’s journey in ways that felt intentional and grounded.
Her comments drew applause from a room filled with peers who understand the weight of visibility. The evening balanced festivity with reflection, creating space to celebrate progress while acknowledging the responsibility that comes with it.
The Guest List
The turnout reflected the breadth of the community Gold House champions.
Among those spotted were Bowen Yang and Celeste Yim, both recently departed from Saturday Night Live. Publishing executive Eva Chen also attended, alongside young Hollywood staples.
From the world of teen dramas came Lola Tung and Sean Kaufman, known for The Summer I Turned Pretty. Medical drama The Pitt was represented by Supriya Ganesh and Isa Briones.
Also in the mix: Maitreyi Ramakrishnan of Never Have I Ever, Anna Cathcart from XO, Kitty, Olympic champion Suni Lee, and chef and author Padma Lakshmi.
The mix of established names and newer talent highlighted a shifting industry landscape. Many of the attendees have led projects that center Asian Pacific stories without flattening them into stereotypes.
A Birthday Backdrop
For Williams, the timing added a personal layer. Hosting a celebration focused on community the night before turning a year older gave the event extra resonance. Rather than a quiet dinner, he opted for a room filled with collaborators and trailblazers.
The actor’s recent appearances around New York , often with his mother by his side, have endeared him to fans who appreciate the family-first energy. That warmth carried into the Lunar New Year event, where conversations flowed easily and introductions turned into photo ops.
As Gold House continues to build platforms for Asian Pacific creatives, moments like this signal how far representation has come, and how much further it can go. On the eve of Hudson Williams’ birthday, the spotlight wasn’t just on one rising star. It shone on an entire community stepping confidently into the Year of the Horse.
