Ilona Maher, the popular rugby star and “Dancing with the Stars” runner-up, has made the move to the United Kingdom to join the Bristol Bears in the Premiership Women’s Rugby league. Speculation had been circulating for months about Maher’s potential move, and she confirmed the news on her TikTok account after finishing as a runner-up on the reality competition show. Maher had hinted at the move on social media while she was in Los Angeles filming “Dancing with the Stars” and then confirmed her arrival in London over the weekend, jokingly stating that “The Eagle has landed.”
Maher’s rise to fame began during the Tokyo Olympics, where she entertained fans with her TikTok posts from the Olympic Village. She was part of the U.S. team that won its first rugby title in 100 years and then went on to win bronze at the 2024 Olympics in Paris. Maher then took on the challenge of competing on “Dancing with the Stars” to showcase the multidimensional nature of rugby players. Despite some challenges on the show, Maher received support from fans and became the first woman celebrity to lift her partner in a dance.
Maher’s decision to join the Bristol Bears will see her transitioning from rugby sevens to 15s, where matches are longer and played with 15 players per team. Her move to the UK comes ahead of the Rugby World Cup 2025, where she hopes to represent the U.S. team. Fans, including her “DWTS” cast mates, have shown their support for Maher as she takes on this new chapter in her career.
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