Mocked for Being Herself, Ilona Maher Reveals Inspirational Message: “Last My Lifetime”

Being mocked for her weight, but Ilona Maher is still filled with inspiration! Well, Team USA rugby star Ilona Maher refuses to let online criticism define her. At 5’10” and 200 pounds, her BMI categorizes her as “overweight,” but she understands that this measurement doesn’t reflect her true health or athletic abilities. Now that Ilona Maher is on the show “Dancing with the Stars,” well, she shared inspirational words that even brought a few tears to her.

On YouTube’s Access Hollywood, Ilona Maher got emotional in an episode titled, “Why Ilona Maher Broke Down In Tears On ‘Dancing With The Stars’.” The host asked her, “What does it mean to get that kind of recognition, not just for you as a rugby player, but just like you as a person and the voice that you give to women?” That question really hit home for Maher, reflecting how much her journey as an athlete and role model means to her.

Ilona Maher has been unstoppable, especially at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she earned a bronze medal with her standout performances. She started rugby at 17, following in her dad’s footsteps, who played at Saint Michael’s College. After playing at Quinnipiac College and winning the MA Sorensen Award for National Player of the Year in 2017, she went on to compete in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and two World Championships. Through it all, she’s become a powerful voice for women both in sports and beyond.

Well, she replied to the host’s question by answering, “I think it’s cool because sometimes they talk about 15 minutes of fame or 50, and I do think that I hope I’m building something that will last my lifetime. I hope that I’m changing lives for many people, and for a while I hope that I can keep doing this. Whether it’s dancing or just being a good person, I hope I can keep doing that.” However, apart from all this, she gave a solid reply to the fans who criticized her for her body weight.

Ilona Maher advocating body positivity while taking on Dancing with the Stars

Back in July, Ilona Maher, in a TikTok, responded to a comment highlighting her BMI of 30, using the opportunity to educate her followers about body positivity and the inaccuracies of BMI as a measurement for athletes. However, she clarified that BMI fails to consider her impressive 170 pounds of lean muscle mass, emphasizing that this metric doesn’t reflect her health or athletic capabilities. With a spirited confidence, she asserted that while she may technically be considered overweight, she’s still made it to the Olympics.

Maher has consistently advocated for body positivity, challenging societal norms, and combating body-shaming in various forms. She has openly discussed issues like cellulite, aiming to normalize all body types and encourage women to embrace their strength. By highlighting her muscular physique and confronting detractors who label her as too masculine, Maher empowers others to celebrate their uniqueness. However, is she still part of the Dancing With The Stars show?

In the Oct. 8 episode, the rugby star struggled with her jive performance alongside partner Alan Bersten, with the judges noting that she had difficulty during the routine. Bruno Tonioli pointed out she had gone wrong several times, and Maher couldn’t help but get teary-eyed. When asked by Carrie Ann Anarbor if she was alright, she admitted it had been a tough week. Anarbor added that Maher’s emotional response showed just how much she cared about the competition.

Afterward, Maher reflected on the experience, acknowledging that it wasn’t the judges’ scores that upset her, but rather her own self-criticism. She mentioned how hard it was to perform well in rehearsals only to stumble during the live performance. Despite the challenges, she and Bersten received a score of 26/40 and were saved from elimination, while other contestants were sent home. Through it all, Ilona’s journey on the dance floor shows that true strength comes from within and that perseverance matters just as much as talent.