Illona Maher had a spectacular run at the Paris Olympics, helping Team USA clinch their first-ever bronze medal in rugby union. But this wasn’t just any win—it was a monumental victory that had the sports world buzzing, with some even comparing Maher’s grit and athleticism to NFL legends. Riding the wave of her newfound fame, Illona made a bold move by joining the latest season of Dancing with the Stars. But the question lingered: was it the right decision?

Judging by the response, the answer is a resounding yes. Illona’s popularity skyrocketed, showing the world that she’s much more than just a rugby star. But fame, as we all know, comes with its challenges. While Illona won over many new fans, she also faced a surge of online trolls body-shaming her, questioning her femininity and appearance. Unfazed by the negativity, Illona did what she does best—shut out the noise and continued being unapologetically herself. And boy, is it paying off!

In true Illona fashion, she recently posted a playful TikTok video that had fans in stitches. The video, which hilariously parodies Dancing with the Stars, features her dance partner, Alan Bersten, alongside fellow contestant Joey Graziadei and his partner, Jenna Johnson. With quirky comments and laugh-out-loud moments, the minute-long clip showcased Illona’s infectious humor. At one point, she cheekily reminds the world, “You’ve seen me do the Cha-Cha slide!” proving once again that there’s more to her than meets the eye.

The first episode of DWTS saw Illona performing Shania Twain’s “Man, I Feel Like a Woman.” A perfect anthem for a strong, athletic woman challenging norms and redefining femininity. As easy as she made it look, Illona admits to being nervous. “I think I took a ballet class at preschool, and that is it,” she confessed. After initial nervous jitters, Illona eventually loosened up and danced her way to a score of 18.

Despite her score hitting only the teens, the excitement Illona brought on was palpable. The fandom is loving the infectious energy. It’s safe to say that one of Illona’s best decisions has been being herself. The narrative is changing, and the fandom is pouring in support of her latest TikTok skit.

Illona is now the “fan favorite contestant”!

In the matter of just one episode, Illona Maher has won hearts. “I know we’re only one episode in, but she is stealing my heart,” one fan exclaimed. Another, in love with her social media content, wrote, “I’m absolutely living for her content! This is so, so entertaining!” The fans are also loving the energy and camaraderie she can bring out among the contestants. “The way they support each other in their comments is top tier,” another fan noted. Another echoing the same wrote, “Brandon, Alan, Jenna! Fantastic!”

Illona’s vibrant personality has made her a star! “Illona is my hero. She may be my favorite person to grace my TV screen! She may be my favorite person to grace my TV screen! Stunning woman! This is iconic!” said a fan, gushing. Her playful banter with Alan, especially during their TikTok skit, left the fandom working out their core laughing. A fan even went on to write, “This TikTok is iconic. Alan saying ‘take that’ took me out!”

But that’s not all! Fans are already calling for a “fan favorite contestant” vote, arguing that Illona would win hands down. “They should have a vote for ‘fan favorite contestant’ aside from best dancer because I think Ilona would absolutely win that,” wrote a fan, oozing enthusiasm. Illona is not just being herself. She is redefining the idea of ‘ideal body type’ in the process.

One fan impressed by her physique even playfully wrote, “Alan: ‘Have you seen these guns?’ [Flexes muscles] Ilona (sarcastically): ‘Good luck. Good luck.’” Illona is not just dancing but inspiring. With her humor, energy, and spirit, Illona Maher is dancing through the pre-defined notions of femininity. She is an unstoppable force, and fans are here for every moment of it!