ABC’s Dancing with the Stars is in full swing, and it’s already shaping up to be one of the most thrilling seasons yet. Four athletes have joined the competition, each bringing their unique flair to the dance floor in hopes of winning the coveted Mirrorball trophy. However, all eyes are on the two Olympians, Stephen Nedoroscik and Ilona Maher, who are garnering significant attention for their impressive performances in their respective sports.

Stephen Nedoroscik, famously the “pommel horse guy” from the 2024 Paris Olympics, is bringing his gymnastic flair to the dance floor. He earned two bronze medals for the U.S.—one in the men’s artistic team all-around and another on the pommel horse. Meanwhile, Ilona Maher, known for her powerful play on the rugby field, helped the U.S. win its first-ever Olympic medal in rugby by clinching a bronze.

Stephen Nedoroscik and Ilona Maher are definitely the standout competitors this season in DWTS. But before that, it seems, Ilona Maher have made waves outside the dance floor.

At just 28, she was recently named one of SI.com’s 50 Most Influential Figures in Sports. It’s pretty impressive—she’s the only rugby player on the list! But her fame came after the Tokyo Olympics, and Maher turned into a social media star with her viral TikToks. Her Instagram following has soared to 3.9 million.

That said, both Maher and Nedoroscik have made it clear that Dancing with the Stars is a whole different ball game compared to the Olympics. They’re stepping out of their comfort zones and into the dance, which is a brand-new challenge for them, which Stephen Nedoroscik recently explained.

Did Stephen Nedoroscik and Ilona Maher face elimination on DWTS?

Just a few days back, Access Hollywood’s host Zuri Hall chatted with Stephen Nedoroscik, who is paired with Rylee Arnold. They shared how the dancing experience compares to the Olympics. He mentioned that being in front of a crowd with cameras and many people watching feels similar, which makes him nervous.

Stephen and Rylee use techniques like closing their eyes and doing breathing exercises to calm their nerves. Stephen emphasized staying positive and reminding themselves of their hard work and preparation. But so far, how both Ilona and Stephen are going on Dancing with the Stars?

Well, on the premiere of DWTS, Ilona Maher and Stephen Nedoroscik made quite an impression with their personal dance anthems. Ilona brought the energy with a cha-cha to Shania Twain’s “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” and scored 18 out of 30. Meanwhile, Stephen was impressed with his jive to Quee +’s Adam Lambert’s rendition of “Don’t Stop Me Now,”  earning a solid 21 out of 30; all credit goes to the support of his partner, Rylee Arnold.

However, there hasn’t been an elimination yet on the show, but the first one is scheduled for next week on September 24. It’s obvious that both of them are giving their all to the competition, and it will be intriguing to witness their progress as the season unfolds!