The US Olympic rugby sevens star Ilona Maher will compete on Dancing With the Stars, ABC announced on Wednesday, continuing a remarkable run of publicity coups for the 28-year-old from Vermont.
“It’s almost like this is a cool rite of passage,” Maher told USA Today of securing a place on the TV hit.
“So many of my Olympic idols, from Simone Biles to Suni Lee [both gymnasts], did [the show].
Now the most-followed rugby star in the world, Maher has celebrated her birthday on NBC’s Late Night with Seth Meyers and completed a swimsuit photoshoot that saw Sports Illustrated label her a “feminist trailblazer”.
Her endorsement of Kamala Harris for president, citing Republican threats to women’s reproductive rights, also made widespread headlines.
Speaking to USA Today about her role on Dancing With the Stars, Maher said: “A lot of rugby is just going full force and throwing your body at” your opponent.
It’ll be really fun to wear more sparkles and more sequins.” Publicity shots for the 33rd season of Dancing With the Stars showed Maher with her partner for the show, Alan Bersten.
Maher took up rugby at high school in Vermont then won three US national titles with Quinnipiac University, from Connecticut.
On social media, Maher spreads a message of body positivity and inclusivity.
But I don’t think you’re going to bully the girl who could probably beat you up in a rage.
Ilona Maher, a 28-year-old Vermont native and US Olympic rugby sevens player, will participate on Dancing With the Stars, ABC announced on Wednesday. This announcement adds to Maher’s incredible string of high-profile successes.
Securing a spot on the popular TV show felt like a cool rite of passage, as Maher stated to USA Today. “So many of my Olympic heroes performed, including the gymnasts Simone Biles and Suni Lee. It’s also a new ability that pushes me beyond my comfort zone. “.
The actors Tori Spelling and Eric Roberts; former NFL players Danny Amendola and Dwight Howard; gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik, who won an additional Olympic medal; and Anna Delvey, the “SoHo grifter” and Russian-born con artist who was convicted of grand larceny and private jet theft, will be among Maher’s opponents.
It was rumored that Jason Kelce, the former NFL player for the Philadelphia Eagles, would be a cast member, but he was not revealed. Kelce’s support of Maher and the US women’s rugby team in Paris made headlines back home.
Prior to the Olympics, Maher’s public profile was high for an American rugby player, but it has skyrocketed after she assisted the US women’s team in defeating Australia to win bronze at the Stade de France in July.
Maher, who is currently the most popular rugby player worldwide, recently celebrated her birthday on NBC’s Late Night with Seth Meyers. She also finished a swimsuit photo shoot for which Sports Illustrated called her a “feminist trailblazer.”. Her support of Kamala Harris for president, which referenced Republican attacks on women’s reproductive rights, was widely reported.
Maher stated, “A lot of rugby is just going full force and throwing your body at” your opponent in an interview with USA Today regarding her participation on Dancing With the Stars. We’ll see then how I can move my body in this position.
“I’m not sure that my dancing abilities are that great. My ballroom dancing is at zero, but my vibe for dancing with friends is decent. I’m hoping the vibe of fun with friends can carry over to this ballroom. “.
Maher added that she loved dressing up and was anticipating “the glitz and glam” of the show. Adding extra sequins and sparkles to your outfit will be a lot of fun. “.
Maher was pictured with her show partner, Alan Bersten, in promotional photos for the 33rd season of Dancing With the Stars. Both of them displayed their biceps in a single pose.
Maher, a 5 feet 10 inches and 200 pounds center, is well-known for her unapologetically physical play both on and off the field. Her powerful runs and forceful takedowns of opponents have led to headlines like “America Has an Olympic Breakout Star Who Plays Like an NFL Running Back.”.
After learning the sport in high school in Vermont, Maher played rugby for Quinnipiac University in Connecticut, where he won three US national championships. She attended two Olympics and made her sevens debut for the United States in 2018. She recently shared with her followers her desire to be included in the squad for the Rugby World Cup in England next year, having participated in two games for the US Eagles 15-a-side team.
Maher advocates for inclusivity and body positivity on social media. She said to NBC Rugby in August that the sport “changed my body confidence by making me feel so good about myself, and I know it can do so for so many other girls.”. “.
She said in an interview with Sports Illustrated that she “was always called masculine or something, and I didn’t love being in pictures growing up because I was a big girl.”. But that’s not how I ever felt. However, I don’t think you’re going to pick on the girl, who is capable of giving you a severe beating. I appreciate how [rugby] made me realize my potential. My body’s capabilities were brought to my attention, demonstrating that it is more than just an object to be observed. “.
She added, “I wouldn’t be doing what I could do if my cellulite was lower in that ideal range. Since I wouldn’t be very strong for it, I simply believe that sports have been incredibly beneficial. “.
Maher and Bersten uploaded brief videos to TikTok on Wednesday that were captured in a New York City dance rehearsal studio.
