On July 30th, 2024, Ilona Maher and the stars of the U.S. Women’s Rugby team snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, beating favorites Australia 14-12. With the historic victory, Maher and her teammates etched their names in the history books as the first American women to win Olympic medals. Yet little did she know that it was only the bringing of her rise to a pop culture icon.

Shortly after the historic achievement, Dancing with the Stars came knocking on the door of the most popular rugby player in the States. The ever-adventurous Maher would turn down the opportunity for anything, and that was how she met Alan Bersten. Every star needed a pro dancer, and Bersten became the 28-year-old’s mentor. Thus began the journey of the DWTS Season 33 finalists.

Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten’s first dance at DWTS

The Olympian and Bersten first posted on social media together shortly after Maher’s headline-making Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition appearance. “Finally, the word is out! So excited to join the cast of @dancingwiththestars and be led by my amazing dance partner,” the Olympic medalist wrote while posting a series of images with Alan Bersten.

However, Ilona Maher also had a word of warning for the DWTS pro. “@alanbersten has got his work cut out for him with me as his partner,” explained the rugby seven star. However, the Season 28 champion was confident that he and his new partner would go a long way. “First day in the studio!!! Let’s go!!!” Bersten posted on Instagram on September 5.

While their partnership had fans buzzing with excitement from the beginning, no one was ready for Maher’s DWTS debut. While Maher and Bersten didn’t place among the top three in their debut, fans loved their chemistry and how the pro dancer leveraged his mentee’s strengths from the very beginning. It was also a transformational moment for the rugby icon.

Ilona Maher spread the message of being comfortable in one’s skin long before appearing on the DWTS. The response from the fans only proved what she had claimed ahead of the show. “I think also doing it to show like rugby players, again, are so multidimensional. You know, we go out there on the field, and we’re beasts, but I can be a beauty,” said the 28-year-old.

However, none of it would be possible without Alan Bersten. And as the weeks progressed, fans only became more enamored with the dancing duo’s social media videos and posts. However, they initially had no idea that Bersten had a role to play in what Ilona Maher posted as well.

When Alan Bersten became the rugby star’s biggest support system

It was only a few days ago, on November 20, that Ilona Maher opened up on how supportive Bersten had been from the beginning. During an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, the DWTS finalist explained how she hesitated to post about dancing on social media. The rugby star had no qualms about posting on body positivity and rugby.

However, it was Bersten who encouraged her to also post about her newly acquired love for dancing. “He was like, ‘Let’s do it. Let’s get it out there for people,” Ilona Maher told PEOPLE. Alan Bersten has also become one of the pillars of her confidence through the DWTS journey. While Maher hoped to use DWTS as a platform to promote positivity, there was no shortage of online trolls looking to bring the Olympic medalist down.

However, Bersten egged Maher on to break the limits of what she and everyone else thought was possible. Endearing moments of Maher lifting Bersten during their Dirty Dancing tribute routine only helped the audience fall more in love with the duo. “I think somebody who is very proud of me, who is kind, who understands my humor, who is ready to eat…” the athlete said about Bersten.

Audiences loved Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten so much that they began shipping the dancing duo as a romantic couple as the season progressed. These rumors didn’t escape the pair’s ears, and they recently addressed the ‘shipping’ situation on camera. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the response fans expected.

The dancing duo’s reaction to the fans ‘shipping’ them

Besides praising Alan Bersten as a supportive dance partner, Maher also opened up about their relationship off-camera and beyond social media. “We’re both annoying,” the 28-year-old told PEOPLE. Bersten also chipped in, helping people visualize the situation better. “Have you seen Dumb And Dumber?” asked Bersten, referencing the famous Jim Carey comedy.

“We both don’t shut up. We’re similar,” added Maher. However, she also praised Bersten for being someone who accepted her as she was, never telling her to “tone” things down. In another interview with E! News, Ilona Maher spilled the beans for those hoping for a romantic connection between the two. “Yeah, we see, we see it all over. And honestly, keep doing it, people. We love it,” said the Olympic bronze medalist.

However, Maher also cleared the air that chances of a romantic connection with her DWTS partner were slim at best. “Look, I play on what people want, okay? I’m a creator; I play on what people want… I don’t know if I would ever do it,” the Olympian explained to Access Hollywood. The 28-year-old also said that she sees Bersten as a teammate.

“I love my teammates; I love him. I think we’re building something really beautiful here,” confessed the rugby player. While there may not be a romantic connection between them, their social media posts have revealed that Alan Bersetn and Ilona Maher have a love and respect for one another.

Ilona Maher and Bersten are all set to face the crowd at the DWTS finals

Despite the constant trolling and the comments on her physique, Ilona Maher once proved the doubters wrong by making it to the DWTS Season 33 finals. Shortly after their semifinal success, the Olympian took to social media to thank the architect behind her dancing success. “I wanted to dedicate this dance to the best partner I could have hoped for on this show, Alan,” wrote Maher.

Ilona Maher didn’t hesitate to admit that DWTS will remain a memorable event in her life thanks to her mentor. “It has not always been easy,” confessed the rugby player, while looking forward to dancing with Bersten one final time on the DWTS stage. The heartfelt post made Bersten emotional, and the pro dancer couldn’t help but write his own.

“You always seem to amaze me; I am so impressed with you,” the 30-year-old wrote. In fact, the Olympian’s mentor bestowed the ultimate compliment, saying that she has “truly” evolved into a dancer who would dazzle the crowd even without his presence. However, with that being said, Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten will showcase every ounce of the work they’ve put in on November 26. Will the pair continue fostering their connection after Season 33? Well, only time will tell.