Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten’s journey on Dancing With the Stars has been nothing short of extraordinary. Rugby star Ilona Maher has recorded many titles on the field and is now on the ‘Dancing With The Stars’ stage. Getting trolled for her muscular body, nobody must have ever thought that the one who got only 18 points in the debut episode would reach the finale. Her partner Bersten is a major support in her journey.

As the finale is around the corner, her journey is being celebrated as one of the most memorable of the season. Maher has thanked her partner Alan Bersten for all the support and everything he has done for her, from giving her strength to improving her dance moves. Fans are excited to see both of them on the finale stage but sad that they won’t be able to see her dance again.

Ilona Maher’s tribute to Alan Bersten for the DWTS journey

When Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten first performed on the DWTS stage, they only received 18 points out of 30. Who would have thought they would reach the finale? Maher even dominated the stage for six long weeks; imagine how hard work and consistency can help you reach the stars. That’s not all; being trolled for her muscular body, she made her strength, and in one episode, Maher lifted Bersten on her shoulders.

Ilona Maher shared a beautiful video thanking Alan and expressing her thoughts. In the video, she has merged all the good times they had during the rehearsals of DWTS and how she felt confident and powerful. She wrote, “Thank you for everything, Alan,” in the caption of the Instagram post. However, this is not the first time she has shared anything of this sort; earlier, Maher shared a video with an emotional message: “We might miss us just as much as you will.” An emotional realization hit them before their DWTS final performance.

Ilona Maher once revealed that she is doing DWTS to carry forward her body positivity, and she has been trolled due to her muscular body. As the pair danced their way to the finals, their emotional tribute featuring the song “For Good” left viewers overwhelmed, sparking a flood of reactions online. 

“This hit me all in the feels”: Fans feel the emotional connection with Maher’s DWTS journey

Ilona Maher’s thank-you video for partner Alan Bersten has sparked a wave of admiration, with many calling their partnership the season’s most unforgettable story. From being a rugby player to a dancing sensation, Ilona Maher has come a long way. She has a great fan base who love her dancing and connection with Bersten as well. Though trolls talk negatively about her body because, according to them, she does not follow traditional beauty standards, a lot of her fans care for her and love the way she is.

Fans expressed their emotions about their journey, with many admitting to shedding tears as DWTS is ending. “Teared up, I cannot lie,” one fan commented. In response, another commented, “Same!! This hit me all in the feels. This cast seems so perfect in personalities and that most have truly made life-long friendships.” Many others felt the same: “I literally got teary; it’s too early for this. I love their partnership,” another said. “Oh god, I’m starting to cry.”

This kind of connection demonstrates how DWTS has become more than just a dance competition—it’s a celebration of personal transformation and resilience. With a beautiful dance journey, she has earned the love of her fans, which is priceless. Alan Bersten also commented on Maher’s post, “You are worthy! You always have been; you are truly one of a kind.” He further added, “I’m so happy I get to see you shine again tomorrow! Thank you for this incredible season.”

As fans eagerly anticipate the conclusion of their inspirational journey, this connection between the two has made their DWTS journey one that they won’t soon forget. As one fandom also shared, “I have my thoughts on how she’s progressed dance-wise, but I’m glad Alan gave her the exact experience she wanted and deserved after the Olympics. She could not have gotten a better partner for that.”

As a non-dancer, Ilona Maher has shown no less than any professional dancer. From getting a score of 18 in the first episode to a near-perfect performance to clinching her spot in the top three in the semi-final. Alan embraced Ilona’s unique strengths and individuality, which struck a chord with viewers. She has impressed judges, fans, and everyone and shut the mouths of trolls.

Not only does Maher get appreciation from fans, but Alan also gets all the love he deserves. One fandom said, “I love how Alan really embraced Ilona’s size and strength and choreographed their dances to showcase her. I don’t remember any other dance partners where the woman was routinely lifting the man.” Few of them even got emotional due to the song choice for the video; one said, “No, no, no, I heard the first few notes of “For Good, and I couldn’t  handle it.” Whereas another commented, “This song always makes me cry. This song + this video?? I’m gone.” 

Captivating fans with their unique chemistry and heartfelt performances, Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten’s journey has come to an end. Soon, we will have the DWTS season 33 winner. Will we be able to hear the name of this duo as the winner? What do you think? Tell us in the comments below.