Who’s your favorite couple on Dancing with the Stars? For sports fans and just about everyone with an internet connection, the friendship between Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten is stealing the show. Social media is buzzing, practically bursting at the seams with discussions about these two, and fans are all in on their journey. But wait—they’re not dancing alone in the spotlight! Season 33 has another dynamic duo turning heads: Rylee Arnold and Stephen Nedoroscik, who have fans loving their ‘adorable golden retriever sibling vibes.’ But not every partnership on the show has started with instant chemistry, though.

Take Jenna Johnson and Bachelor alum Joey Graziadei. Jenna admitted on The Ben and Ashley I Almost Famous Podcast that she wasn’t exactly thrilled at first. She had her sights set on getting paired with an athlete, and when Graziadei’s name popped up, she felt a twinge of disappointment. “I’ve never had a football player,” she confessed, hoping for her shot at dancing with NFL star Danny Amendola. But like any good plot twist, everything changed when the rehearsals started.

Joey’s dedication won Jenna over, and now they’re crushing the leaderboard and winning over the audience, one dance at a time. Yet, while there’s no shortage of standout performances this season, it’s Ilona and Alan’s undeniable bond that’s got fans swooning. So, what is it about these two that has everyone talking?

Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten share a pure bond that is visible on stage. They fill their performances on stage and practices with laughter, mutual support, and understanding that add life to their dance. The audience likes such friendship, which is pure and shows the real side and nothing is fake between the couple on the stage of DWTS. Recently in the Halloween Nightmares episode, when Ilona and Alan were happy with their performance, the scores were not up to the mark.

Where others got several 10s, the couple scored 24 out of 30, the lowest score. In an interview with US Weekly, supporting Ilona’s efforts, Alan stated, “I think we were working on so many things this week, and Ilona really did focus on all of them.” Such support from him was commendable. Ilona Maher’s sacrifice and efforts have hit the fans and they want to support her.

Also, the couple hugged each other in an Instagram post stating, “When producers randomly pair you together but you end up truly enjoying every second of it.” They love enjoying every moment they spend together, so when they were on the verge of elimination last week, they cried because their time together was about to end. Seeing Ilona and Alan enjoying each other’s company has made fans curious about their bond. Many duos come to the show, but fans only remember a few of them for their bond.

What are fans saying about Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten’s bond?

DWTS always makes the audience curious about why their favorite couple has been teamed up. You might also be thinking the same about Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten. On Reddit, a user remarked, “Between Rylee and Stephen and these two, I hope this starts a trend of getting less fake showmances. People are just as invested in friendships.” Another user added, “Rylee and Stephen give me adorable golden retriever sibling vibes and Alan and ilona give me buddy cop vibes.”

This sentiment rings true on DWTS season 33, where the Olympians are stealing the spotlight. Pommel horse specialist Stephen Nedoroscik and his choreographer, Rylee Arnold, bring unmatched energy to each theme night, whether he’s embodying Superman or Hercules or dressing up as a ghoul. Their chemistry has sparked some fan speculation, but with both of them in relationships, the support from their partners speaks about the genuine nature of their friendship.

The same camaraderie can be seen between Alan Bersten and Ilona Maher. From Bersten being Maher’s biggest cheerleader to their behind-the-scenes antics on social media, their bond is evident. As the first rugby player to compete on the show, Maher shared with PEOPLE how Bersten, 30, has guided her and created an environment where she feels ‘very feminine’ on the dance floor. She said, “I think it’s going to be good for girls to see a muscular, strong woman out there, like being feminine dancing with a gorgeous man like Alan here.”

Also, on Halloween night, people saw Alan comforting Ilona to calm down after unsatisfactory critiques from the judges. The audience started applauding seeing this sweet gesture and took it to social media, stating, “It is nice to see a couple developing a strong friendship built on trust and respect. I find it more fun to watch this relationship develop than the more “showmance” oriented ones everyone like to focus on.” That Instagram post?

Pure gold. The way Alan tucks into Ilona’s neck—yeah, it’s got “aww” written all over it, and the fans are eating it up! One even said, “The way he tucks into your neck/shoulder every time is just too sweet.” And you know what? They’re right. That kind of natural connection isn’t just rehearsed choreography; it’s genuine friendship. The comments section is like a love letter from fans, filled with well-wishes and calls for them to snag the Mirrorball Trophy. Their chemistry has set the bar high, and they’ve proven that it’s not just about the dance steps but the trust and camaraderie they share.