Battling Constant Body Shaming Issues at DWTS, Ilona Maher Set to Make Major Career Move After Historic Paris Olympics Triumph

Like Stephe Nedoroscik, Ilona Maher is also having the time of her life right now. Coming off a bronze-winning Parisian campaign, the rugby player is now wooing fans with her groovy moves. Over the past few weeks, Maher’s stint at Dancing With The Stars has been mesmerizing, to say the least. Partnering up with Alan Bersten, the 28-year-old is showing that talent can never be restricted within strict confines. And she might have even grander plans to expand her horizons even further.

Ahead of making her dancing debut, Maher noted that it wasn’t just her love for dancing that encouraged her to join the show. Instead, she wanted to take the opportunity to spread more awareness about how body shaming can be devastating for a person’s confidence. Now, she’s looking to boost her worth further by possibly taking a bold step across the pond.

The next chapter awaits for Ilona Maher

An article by The Telegraph from October 25 claims that the USA 7s star is potentially in the talks to join several British rugby clubs. The most-followed rugby player on social media is already in communication to make her move to the Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR) complete. With the World Cup coming up next year, Maher might soon be spending her days on the field in the UK rather than in the USA.

Both the Bristol Bears and Gloucester-Hartpury have reached out to the Olympic medalist to enlist her among their ranks. Maher is currently one of the most popular sports stars in the world, and SportsPro ranked her eighth on the list of the most marketable athletes in the world. With over seven million followers on social media, it’s easy to comprehend why the PWR also wants Maher to be the face of the tournament. However, the path to get her to the British Isles won’t be a walk in the park for any of the involved parties.

Issues with visas could become the biggest hurdle to getting Ilona Maher to relocate from the USA. Moreover, the fact that the Vermont resident hasn’t had an appearance in 15-a-side matches since 2021. On the other hand, the USA has been a steady supplier of players to the PWR over the years, and Maher could be the latest to join the long list. The defender could arrive in the UK in January, making her available for at least six regular-season matches. Whatever happens, Maher currently has a lot on her plate to deal with.

From the rugby pitch to the dance floor: A graceful transition

At the 33rd Games, Team USA made history as it beat Australia to win its first-ever rugby sevens Olympic medal. For understandable reasons, Maher was hovering above cloud 9 after the milestone achievement with her squad mates. With her dream to bag a spot on the podium being an unfulfilled dream at the Tokyo Games, Maher could barely withhold her jubilation after the team’s feat in the City of Love. After the victory, Maher also noted that this should give the sport more exposure. “I hope this means more money and funding for us because we deserve it. I hope this means more girls in the US trying out rugby and seeing what it can do for them,” she said later.

In the days after the Games, showing up for Dancing With The Stars was the only logical step for Maher to bring more fans to the fold. “When I first got the call, I wanted to say no. I have never danced before. I think I took a ballet class at preschool, and that is it. My comfort zone is the rugby pitch,” she elaborated on what made her skeptical to try out something new. However, these past five weeks have proven that Ilona Maher can achieve anything she sets her mind to. What has been the best moment for you from Maher’s scintillating dancing career? Tell us in a comment below!