As a fan who’s been following the inspiring journey of Ilona Maher on Dancing With The Stars, I must admit that I’ve become a die-hard fan of this incredible athlete. Her strength, grace, and unapologetic spirit have left me in absolute awe each week.
I haven’t been particularly fond of “Dancing With The Stars,” but U.S. Olympian Ilona Maher is making me reconsider my stance, especially for this current season set to air in 2024. It appears I’m not alone in this, as more viral moments than ever before have been turning into trends, thanks to TikTok. For instance, Danny Amendola and Witney Carson’s floor lift has inspired numerous video recreations, even from Maher. However, it was her own unique lift that garnered widespread attention on the internet. Now, she’s taking time to ponder over that inspiring moment.
In Week 2, Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten’s rendition of “Dirty Dancing” left audiences spellbound; ever since, it’s been a performance that refuses to leave my mind. As the music played “Time of My Life”, spectators were eagerly awaiting the iconic lift from the film. However, what they weren’t prepared for was Alan flipping Ilona mid-dance, and then, in an unexpected twist, Ilona lifting him in a mirror move.
In most ballroom dances, it’s uncommon for a woman to lift a man, but spectators were hoping for that moment between Maher and Bersten. And, indeed, it proved enchanting, making perfect sense why it stood out for the rugby player when she confided in THR: “It was truly magical.
It’s intriguing how this moment is among my favorites, especially the time when Bersten hoisted me up during the Dirty Dancing lift. The audience seemed to be in awe, exclaiming, “Wow, Alan lifted Ilona!” When I reciprocated by lifting him, the noise from the crowd was deafening, making me momentarily flustered because they were so thrilled to witness it. I appreciate this experience because I believe it’s unique and captivating that we are choreographing dances where, despite my strength and size, he still manages to make me feel gracefully feminine.
As each episode progresses, it becomes increasingly evident that Maher’s dancing prowess is blossoming. She revealed that she wasn’t overly concerned about the physical aspect when she joined the show; instead, the mental demands turned out to be more formidable. Given the stark contrast between rugby movements and dance, this isn’t surprising. What brings me joy is that she was paired with a partner who offers unwavering support, helping her shatter preconceived notions, all under the spotlight of national television.
During the course of the season, Maher emerged as a role model for young girls with larger, more robust physiques, earning widespread affection when she portrayed Luisa from Encanto for Disney Night. The pair secured one of their highest scores that night, despite Alan’s somewhat intimidating makeup, and this moment gained virality as their Dirty Dancing lift did.
The lines blur with Luisa and Ilona, both proving to be beautiful, strong, smart young women who bear a lot of perceptions from others on their backs, not all of which are true. This is something the Olympian holds close to her heart, and it’s a point she’s been trying to make ever since she first entered the public eye during the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. To that point, she reflected on the message she’s trying to send her fans, saying:
I’d like to emphasize that you are far more complex than the labels society sometimes assigns to you. Regardless of whether it’s as an athlete, or any role you play, there have always been expectations thrust upon you – be this, be that. However, I’ve found that these expectations don’t align with my feelings or reality. Yet, I continue to love the sports I play because they bring me joy.
Ilona has garnered significant accolades on “Dancing with the Stars” and this summer on the field, as she steered the USA Women’s Rugby Team towards their inaugural Olympic medal. Notably, her dancing talents offer an opportunity to exhibit a softer side of her personality, while simultaneously demonstrating her versatility and capability in virtually any endeavor.
She is also so unapologetically herself with a sassy sense of humor and I absolutely love it. Honestly, more than a role model for girls, she’s an inspiration for anyone who refuses to let society define how they should express gender orientation and what they can and can’t be based on their body type.
One way to rephrase the given sentence in a more natural and easy-to-read manner could be: “One moment from BTS I particularly enjoyed was when she posted on TikTok during Week 5, expressing her wish to expose as much skin as possible, given the TV guidelines, after observing other girls displaying a lot of skin. Given her physique resembling a Greek goddess and her impressive muscles, it’s understandable why she felt that way. And let me tell you, she truly excelled in that moment.
@ilonamaher
♬ original sound – Ilona Maher
I’m rooting hard for Ilona and Alan to advance to the finals. They truly deserve it, but honestly, I don’t want their TikTok collaborations to stop. Nevertheless, they face a tough hurdle since the cha-cha is known as a tricky dance to master. Still, she possesses the drive to excel, and fans are eager to cheer her on.
Tune into “Dancing with the Stars” on ABC or with a Disney+ subscription this Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET to watch Ilona Maher continue dancing and inspiring. Even if they don’t go far in the competition, it seems that Ilona and Alan will stay close friends and role models for us long after Season 33 concludes.
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-10-30 23:41