Ilona Maher got emotional during Season 33 of “Dancing with the Stars,” and fans are showering her with support.
During the Oct. 8 episode of the dancing competition, the rugby star when she received criticism from the judges for her jive dance with partner Alan Bersten.
The judges told Maher that they could tell
“I love wild and wonderful and I love to embrace it, but I am sorry my darling, you went wrong so many times,” judge Bruno Tonioli said.
Maher started to get emotional, which prompted judge Carrie Ann Anarbor to ask if she was OK.
“Been better, Carrie Ann,” Maher responded.
Anarbor then said that seeing Maher get emotional showed she was invested in the competition.
After getting feedback from the judges, Maher told host Julianne Hough, “This was a really tough dance for me, and this whole week’s been really tough. And you do it so well in dress rehearsal, and then you come out and you mess it up.
“So it’s really hard because he’s so good, and knows I can do well and then I just don’t,” she added while referencing Bersten.
The pair ended up receiving a score of 26/40. Maher and Bersten were ultimately saved from, though, when Eric Roberts and Reginald VelJohnson were sent home.
Later on in the night, Maher spoke with “” and reflected on tearing up after her performance.
“Honestly, I wasn’t sad about the judges scores. I thought they were very nice, actually,” she said. “Any of the judges comments, I thought they were very true because I saw it and these guys know so I felt it as well. I thought they were even nicer maybe then.”
When asked if she is hard on herself, Maher responded, “Yes, I am my own worst enemy.”
She had a message for all of her fans who showed love and support after the vulnerable moment.
“This just means a lot to me … this means a lot, and I want to do well and I want to do well for Alan because he’s been teaching me so well,” Maher said. “I think it just hurts because I know I can do better. So, love you all.”
On social media, people continued to applaud Maher for her vulnerability on stage and said they could relate to her raw response.
“This is too relatable,” one person wrote on TikTok. “TY @Ilonamaher for being all of us.” Maher reshared the TikTok on her Instagram stories.
The Olympian also reposted a message from another fan, which read, “Ilona Maher proves you can be a powerful, strong, beautiful and emotional women all at the same time and still thrive!”Over on X, one person of Maher giving the thumbs up after her dance and said, “@Ilona_maher deserves the world.”
, “Ilona Maher crying has me crying we love you! You did amazing girl!#DWTS.”
In response to all the messages she was getting, Maher took to X to thank her fans for all their heartwarming notes.
, “Love you all. I’m okay. Dancing is tough but I’ll keep working.”
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