Ilona Maher recently celebrated International Dance Day, where she fell back in her performance of Dance with the Stars Season 33. Reacting to this, her partner on the show, Alan Bersten wrote a quick note to express his support for the football star.

Maher re-wrote the record book at the Paris Olympics when she gave the U.S. bronze medal. Not long after, when she appeared on DWTS, she made history again, becoming the first rugby player to achieve this unique feat. During the show, Maher and Bersten offered some iconic performances, including the figures of “surface pressure” from Disney’s film Encanto.

April 29, Ilona Maher Celebrating International Dance Day. On Instagram, she shares a reel

“The butterfly effect is crazy because if I don’t say “yes” to DWT, what does that mean, I won’t have one of the best experiences of my life.”

Alan Bersten responded to this,

“You and my Doug.”

via @ilonamaher on Instagramvia @ilonamaher on Instagram
via @ilonamaher on Instagram

Ilona Maher starts with Alan Bersten on DWTS

Maher and Bersten were captured by celebrity witnesses in Los Angeles on September 27, 2024 (Image source: Getty)Maher and Bersten were captured by celebrity witnesses in Los Angeles on September 27, 2024 (Image source: Getty)
Maher and Bersten were captured by celebrity witnesses in Los Angeles on September 27, 2024 (Image source: Getty)

Throughout Season 33, Dancing with the Stars, Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten A close connection was established and the friendship between the two was immediately hit among fans. Recently, Maher has unfolded dynamics about her with the dancers during the show.

The rugby star said in an episode of the “Mach House” podcast that she treated bersten like a coach, said (46:51),

“I’ve been on the show (I’ll be this guy), constantly being with them. So I kind of treat Allen like my coach. Whenever someone becomes my coach, I start to respect them and look up to them.”

She went on to add that having a common goal brought the two of them closer together and helped them make the most of their time.

“I think that’s what makes us thrive, it knows it’s not a working relationship, it’s a common goal here. We’re creating something here, we’re here to inspire the bigger purpose of America or anything. I think that makes us closer.”

In season 33 of Dancing with the Stars, Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten are a popular pairing that keeps making it to the finals, where they become runner-ups. After the performance, the two reunited for the DWTS tour.