Olympic rugby player Ilona Maher talks "trying new things" and tells THR that she is excited to see what she can do on the dance floor during the 'Dancing With the Stars' press line. Plus, she reveals what she hopes people will take away from her journey on the show.
Category
✨
PeopleTranscript
00:00What made you want to then do that quick turnaround and be a part of Dancing with the Stars?
00:04Well, I think it's kind of a strike while the iron's hot type thing.
00:07It almost feels like a rite of passage to do Dancing with the Stars after the Olympics.
00:10You know, Simone Biles has done it, Suni Lee, even Sean Johnson and whatnot.
00:14So I thought it was just so cool and I'm the first rugby player to do it.
00:17A big thing for me was trying out something new because a big thing I preach trying new things
00:22like trying rugby, getting girls to try rugby and get out of their comfort zone.
00:25And if I'm not going to do it myself and get out of my comfort zone with this, I think a little hypocritical.
00:29So I'm excited to see what I can do on the dance floor.
00:32Getting out of the rugby field where it just is my home.
00:35Alan, how have rehearsals been going?
00:37You've only had a few so far, right?
00:39We've only had two rehearsals so far.
00:41There's so much fun. I'm having a blast.
00:44Ilona's having a blast. We're working really hard.
00:46But above all else, it's just an enjoyable environment.
00:50You know, I look forward to rehearsals.
00:53I'm so excited to be partnered with Ilona.
00:56Alan Lowe, we're thinking of team names.
00:58So if anyone has anything, DM us.
01:01Are there any contenders so far?
01:03Team names or the dancers?
01:05Team names.
01:07Alan Lowe, Ilona, but that's just my name with his name.
01:12Ilona Lynn.
01:13Ilona Lynn. We're really workshopping it.
01:16We're working.
01:18I love that. I love that.
01:19Are there any specific songs or artists that you would love to hopefully dance to this season?
01:25I love, you know, I'm a big into Chapel Rowan right now.
01:29Any of her cool songs.
01:31I love some older music, whether there's older pop artists in there.
01:36I'm blanking on every pop artist.
01:38You could do Hot To Go and you could do the Hot To Go dance.
01:41If it was that easy, I would be happy, but it's not.
01:45I know the athletes tend to do really well on this show.
01:49So how do you think your skills will carry over?
01:53I don't know if it's my skills so much as I'm coachable and I'll listen and try to do better every time.
01:58So I don't think I have the skills just yet, but I will listen and truly try to improve.
02:03You've been such an inspiration for so many people, even just by seeing you at the Olympics.
02:08What do you hope people will take away from seeing your journey this season?
02:12I hope for little girls and boys to go out and try new things,
02:16whether it's the rugby you've been scared to try, even the soccer, the new, the language to learn.
02:21See my body type out there on the floor as well, very muscular, big woman.
02:25Cutting a rug with my partner here.
02:27I don't know what cutting a rug means.
02:31Wearing the dresses and feeling good and expressing myself out there.
02:34Showing you really can do so much and be really confident with it.