Kaylah Walton
Ilona Maher is defying expectations on Dancing with the Stars, successfully advancing to the finals alongside her partner Alan Bersten. In a lighthearted moment, she also teased choreographer Taylor Swift on the show.
The former rugby player brings a vibrant energy to the competition, showcasing her dancing skills while earning accolades from judges and viewers across the United States.
Maher extended her lively demeanor to social media, joking about assisting Mandy Moore, the renowned choreographer behind Swift’s Eras Tours performances over the past year and a half.
On Instagram Reels, she quipped, “Here to help the iconic choreographer @nopenother [Moore] in whatever way I can @dancingwiththestars. Gets one 10 this season and thinks I can choreograph.”
Maher and Bersten secured their spot in the finals after delivering an exhilarating Paso Doble to Sam Smith‘s “Unholy,” earning a score of 28 out of 30. They later wowed the audience with a heartfelt Viennese Waltz set to “Golden Hour” by JVKE, garnering an impressive 29/30.
“This experience has really pushed me out of my comfort zone,” Maher shared with Forbes. “For so long, I’ve been in my element playing rugby, something I excel at and feel so strong doing.”
“It was daunting because I anticipated the difficulty. Now, I feel braver,” she added.
When will the Dancing With The Stars finale take place?
As the Eras Tour concludes in Vancouver on December 8, Maher is also getting ready for her significant moment in the Dancing With The Stars final to leave her mark in the show’s history.
The finale is set for Tuesday, November 26, 2024, at 20:00 ET/17:00 PT, featuring a three-hour broadcast on ABC and Disney+, with a chance to stream the Season 33 finale the following day on Hulu.
The finalists will perform a redemption dance selected by the judges along with a freestyle routine. Maher and Bersten plan to showcase their freestyle to “Femininomenon” by District 78 featuring Mona Rue.
