Featured Columnist IVNovember 27, 2024
Hollywood To You/Star Max/GC Images
Ilona Maher became a household name during the summer when she helped lead the United States women’s rugby team to a bronze medal at the 2024 Olympics.
And now she’s even more of a star after finishing in second place in Dancing With the Stars.
The season finale aired Tuesday, and Maher finished just behind winner Joey Graziadei. She wasn’t the only athlete who qualified for the final, as gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik finished in fourth while former NFL wide receiver Danny Amendola finished in fifth.
Social media had plenty of love for Maher even though she fell just short of the coveted Mirrorball Trophy:
Team USA @TeamUSA
Both of our Olympians with perfect 30s.
So proud of @ilona_maher and @GymnastSteve ❤️🤍💙#DWTSFinale
Team USA @TeamUSA
SHE’S NEVER BEEN BETTER 🌟
PERFECT SCORE FOR ILONA & ALAN!#DWTSFinale
The Fearless Coach @TFCoachCarlson
A winner no matter what. So proud of you @ilona_maher pic.twitter.com/1Jv4j2fdu5
Emily Frieband @efriebs
Ilona Maher was the true embodiment of this season, imo. She was constantly improving, showed vulnerability and gained so much confidence. She empowered so many young girls and won the hearts of so many. I wish she won but she deserves all the flowers 👏🤍 #dwts #DWTS pic.twitter.com/Tr5vdmiFP0
Megan 📚 @MegWritesBooks
ILONA MAHER THE WOMAN THAT YOU ARE. #DWTS pic.twitter.com/YX4O8HIELd
BΞRNICΞ @BTRprincess
Ilona will always be the winner in our hearts this season @ilona_maher #DWTS pic.twitter.com/5FK2vquySm
lynn🪩💙 @lynnreacts
THIS JUST IN ilona maher gets a 10 minute standing ovation from me in my living room #dwts pic.twitter.com/e8gqqrcsdE
I am K @lmk66
Congrats @ilona_maher for an amazing season of @officialdwts. First time I actually watched the show. A winner in my eyes! #GirlPower #Femininomenon pic.twitter.com/vFmNLQz1aT
m pappa @soxfanmimi
Never wanted a couple to win more than Ilona & Alan… i’m kinda heartbroken but they sure won all of our hearts! 💖🪩@officialdwts @ilona_maher #DancingWiththeStars #DWTSFinale #DWTS #ilonaandalan pic.twitter.com/uabiVLUwMl
Alys @alys216
will not stop thinking about how inspiring Ilona Maher is and how much Stephen Nedoroscik has done to bring attention to men’s gymnastics
emily @valsbersten
ILONA MAHER THE WOMAN THAT YOU ARE 😮💨 #DWTS pic.twitter.com/DcfcAKS3Go
There were a number of memorable moments during Tuesday’s finale, including Amendola dancing to I’m Just Ken and Nedoroscik using a pommel horse. Nedoroscik impressed during the 2024 Paris Games on the pommel horse, so it was a fitting tribute.
USA Gymnastics @USAGym
Changed the game.
New motto: everyone watches men’s gymnastics. pic.twitter.com/7A0MYqqaUC
Stephen Nedoroscik @GymnastSteve
A perfect score, the perfect end of this amazing journey. I am so grateful to have been a part of something so amazing. If you haven’t already, please text “STEPHEN” to 21523 up to ten times. Thank you to everyone who has supported me 🫶🏻
Maher also impressed the judges and received a perfect score, which was important since fan voting only accounted for half of the final results.
Yet Graziadei prevailed over the athletes and finished the season as the champion.
