Ilona Maher has garnered significant acclaim from Dancing With The Stars viewers for highlighting her impressive physique during her recent appearance on the show. Fans expressed their admiration on social media, with one viewer commenting, “I got emotional watching.” Maher’s performance not only showcased her physical strength but also resonated deeply with the audience, leading to widespread praise and emotional responses from her supporters.
Olympic rugby player Ilona Maher received widespread acclaim following her performance on the premiere of Dancing With the Stars on Tuesday night. The 28-year-old athlete, standing at 5 feet 10 inches, competed against convicted felon Anna Delvey. Maher, alongside her DWTS professional partner Alan Bersten, delivered a captivating cha cha routine. Dressed in a dazzling pink fringe dress, Maher and Bersten celebrated their performance with a chest bump, earning a score of 18.
Fans were overjoyed to see Ilona Maher showcase her impressive physique, with many expressing that the performance left them “in tears” and “emotional.” One viewer shared, “I wish I had an Ilona when I was a young girl instead of the theater director who told me I’d never amount to anything with my body.”
Fans were deeply moved by Ilona Maher’s performance on Dancing With the Stars. One commented, “Ilona Maher is so f*****g cool and strong and incredible, and watching her dance to ‘Man I Feel Like A Woman’ had me in tears.” Another wrote, “Instead of body dysmorphia, my mind makes me think I’m Ilona Maher.” A 6-foot-tall viewer shared, “As a 6ft lady who always feels too big and out of place for dancing, I got emotional watching. @ilona_maher Thank you… thank you.” Another fan expressed, “Watching her brought the BIGGEST smile to my face and tears to my eyes.” They concluded with, “@ilona_maher on #DWTS is amazing! Lady confidence!”
The acclaim for Ilona Maher continued to pour in, with one fan noting, “I didn’t watch Rugby during the Olympics, I know nothing about the sport, but I love everything about Ilona Maher, a bright light!” Another echoed this sentiment, stating, “I love everything about Ilona Maher.” Fans also praised her celebratory moment: “The chest bump in the ballroom dress. You forever have my heart.”
Each judge—Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli—awarded Ilona Maher and her partner Alan Bersten a score of 6 for their cha cha, leading to their exuberant celebration. Their energetic chest bump became a viral sensation on social media.
Maher, who earned a bronze medal with the American rugby team at the 2024 Paris Olympics and appeared on the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue cover, gained acclaim for her body positivity advocacy. She now brings her talents to Dancing With the Stars in pursuit of the Mirrorball Trophy.
In her pre-dance intro package, Maher explained, “I’m used to running as hard as I can and stiff-arming somebody in the face. While that did help me get my Olympic medal, I don’t usually let my savage competition side come out, because it’s like a chained bear inside of me.”
She added, “But I feel a feeling Dancing With the Stars might unleash that,” before meeting her partner Alan Bersten. Maher shared that she appreciates tough coaching, noting, “I’ve always loved having coaches that are tough on me. And he seems to be the exact person to do that.”
Maher, who weighs 200 pounds, stated, “Well, I’m this very big, muscular woman, but I also feel so beautiful and feminine. I want to make it easier for young girls to love your body.”
Alan Bersten remarked that Ilona will need to “show finesse, instead of just full-force power,” while footage of their rehearsals highlighted their preparation for the competition.
The judges were impressed with Ilona Maher’s performance. Carrie Ann Inaba praised her for her authenticity and enthusiasm, noting, “I love everything that you are about. And the way you stepped on that dance floor, I know you were nervous. I know you were nervous. That first move, you kind of jumped the gun a little bit, but just like rugby, you kind of just go with it, right?”
Derek Hough expressed his admiration, saying, “First of all, Ilona, I love seeing you in this arena. It suits you well, my love. It really does. For me, knowing you sort of outside, you’re so charismatic, you’re funny, you have so much energy, I wanted to see that a little bit more in the dance.” He continued, “I could feel the nerves a little bit, the timidness, but you come from a sport that’s all about impact, right? You can have impact in dance as well. Go out there with the confidence, with all the confidence that you have, and we want to see that on the dance floor. But really for a first dance, great job.”
Bruno Tonioli echoed the sentiment, advising, “Yes, my darling, they’re absolutely right. As a cha-cha-cha, it was very correct. But I’m telling you, go more than that. You’re great, you’re beautiful, let it all hang out and show them. Don’t feel afraid! Never be afraid!”
