‘DWTS’ Olympian Ilona Maher Feels ‘Feminine’ On Dance Floor

Ilona Maher is following up on her momentous win at the Paris Olympics by taking a turn on the ballroom floor on Season 33 of DWTS.

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The Rugby sensation, known for her signature red lipstick and powerful playing, went viral days before the Olympics when she called out trolls on TikTok who labeled her “masculine” and “obese.”

“I think you were trying to roast me, but this is actually fact — I do have a BMI of 30. Well, 29.3 to be more exact,” she posted.

“I am considered overweight. But alas, I’m going to the Olympics, and you’re not.”

After medaling at the games, she stripped down for Sports Illustrated’s infamous Swimsuit Issue. Now, she is hitting the dance floor.

When fans saw Ilona and her partner Alan Berston’s Cha Cha routine to Shania Twain’s “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” they flooded social media with praise for the Olympic bronze medalist.

One fan wrote on X, “idc if ilona is the worst dancer in the show’s history, i will be giving her 10 votes.”

Another shared: “I haven’t watched #DWTS in yeeeears. But the moment I saw Ilona Maher was going to be on the show I knew I had to watch this season. Look at the peoples queen.”

While a third warned, “When Ilona gets into her flow, these other pairs better watch OUT sisters taking it.”

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The Olympian may have been receiving praise from fans, but she was ready to give some to her partner, Alan, whom she claims is helping her show off her feminine side.

Ilona claims Alan has “led” her during this experience and helped her feel “very feminine, womanly.”

She also hopes fans seeing an athlete like her will inspire them, especially young girls.

“I think it’s going to be good for girls to see a muscular, strong woman out there, like being feminine dancing with a gorgeous man like Alan here,” she told People.

“So I think it’s going to show a lot,” the 28-year-old athlete said.

“I think girls will really love to see it.”

 

 

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She also noted that although she is an athlete, the competition is “tough” because she doesn’t know what her “body can do in dance.”

But, she’s confident “it can do something good.”

Even though Ilona and Alan only scored 18 out of 30, they both appeared thrilled.

Fans can catch Ilona take on the competition when Dancing with the Stars on Monday nights on ABC and Disney+.

Tell us! Are you cheering on Ilona on DWTS? Do you think she is an inspiration? Sound off in the comments below.

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