After captivating audiences on "Dancing With the Stars" last year, Ilona Maher appears far from finished with her Hollywood journey. The rugby virtuoso and Olympic bronze medalist has recently confided in BBC Sport, revealing that she has "previously been courted by the WWE." She even jestingly suggested that, should she venture into the wrestling entertainment realm, her ring moniker would be "Maher-vellous."
"Whether I'd step into the wrestling ring remains uncertain," Maher pondered, acknowledging the substantial financial incentives. "I suppose I should contemplate it. My aspirations also extend to the acting scene," she added.
"Envisioning a trajectory akin to Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson or John Cena, I am eager to embark on such a path," she elaborated. "It would thrill me to witness my physique gracing the silver screen. I'll start modestly, perhaps as a seductive assassin or the like—let's not get ahead of ourselves. A romantic comedy isn't in my immediate future," she admitted with a chuckle.
Maher first gained prominence as a member of Team USA during the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, leveraging her social media platform to champion women of diverse body types. She subsequently secured a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics before dazzling on season 33 of "Dancing With the Stars" alongside her partner, Alan Bersten, finishing in a commendable second place.
"I strive to emphasize that you transcend the stereotypes people sometimes impose on you," she shared with The Hollywood Reporter last year. "As an athlete, a female athlete, regardless of the sport, I was constantly told I had to conform to certain molds. But I never felt that way, nor was I that way, yet I cherished my sport and embraced my identity wholeheartedly."
Furthermore, a captivating documentary series, which spotlights this rising star in the realm of rugby, is currently under production. It is a collaborative effort between Reese Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine, Ross Greenburg Productions, and Range Sports, promising an insightful and in-depth exploration of Maher's extraordinary journey.
