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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. <br><br>So proud of <a href=”https://twitter.com/ilona_maher?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@ilona_maher</a> and <a href=”https://twitter.com/GymnastSteve?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@GymnastSteve</a> ❤️🤍💙<a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/DWTSFinale?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#DWTSFinale</a>
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 👏🤍 <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/dwts?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#dwts</a> <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/DWTS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#DWTS</a> <a href=”https://t.co/Tr5vdmiFP0″>pic.twitter.com/Tr5vdmiFP0</a>
BΞRNICΞ @BTRprincess
Ilona will always be the winner in our hearts this season <a href=”https://twitter.com/ilona_maher?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@ilona_maher</a> <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/DWTS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#DWTS</a> <a href=”https://t.co/5FK2vquySm”>pic.twitter.com/5FK2vquySm</a>
I am K @lmk66
Congrats <a href=”https://twitter.com/ilona_maher?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@ilona_maher</a> for an amazing season of <a href=”https://twitter.com/officialdwts?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@officialdwts</a>. First time I actually watched the show. A winner in my eyes! <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/GirlPower?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#GirlPower</a> <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/Femininomenon?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#Femininomenon</a> <a href=”https://t.co/vFmNLQz1aT”>pic.twitter.com/vFmNLQz1aT</a>
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! 💖🪩<a href=”https://twitter.com/officialdwts?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@officialdwts</a> <a href=”https://twitter.com/ilona_maher?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@ilona_maher</a> <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/DancingWiththeStars?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#DancingWiththeStars</a> <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/DWTSFinale?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#DWTSFinale</a> <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/DWTS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#DWTS</a> <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/ilonaandalan?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#ilonaandalan</a> <a href=”https://t.co/uabiVLUwMl”>pic.twitter.com/uabiVLUwMl</a>
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.
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.