‘DWTS’: Ilona Maher fans react to second place finish

Ilona Maher is the winner of “Dancing with the Stars” — in her fans’ hearts, at least.
The rugby player, a social media star who had many passionate supporters throughout the competition show’s 33rd season, and her partner Alan Bersten were runners up in Tuesday’s finale, while Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson took the Len Goodman Mirrorball trophy.
Maher’s fans weighed in by bemoaning her loss, though others were simply grateful she placed so high and celebrated her work throughout the season.
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“Ilona Maher was the true embodiment of this season, imo,” an X user reflected. “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.”
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“Watching a woman on TV consistently say she is proud of herself. Ilona thank you,” said another X post.
Given Maher’s base of online support, one person wondered, “If this is based on popularity HOW did Joey win over Ilona????”
For others, second place was still an excellent showing that was worth celebrating.
“Ilona getting second is amazing!” a fan wrote on Reddit. “She’s a true representation of what this show’s about — taking a celebrity who doesn’t know anything about dance and show them progressing.”
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Some felt that Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong, who placed third, deserved the runner-up spot instead.
“I’m an Ilona girly, but I fully supported, and sent votes for, Chandler winning,” a Reddit comment read, to which another user replied, “It kind of made me regret my votes for Ilona (even tho I still love her) because Chandler is by far the better dancer.”
“By no absolute means did Joey deserve to win over chandler or ILONA,” one fan argued on X, while another posted, “I truly believe Joey should have done the right thing and made history by forfeiting the trophy to ILONA.”
But Maher’s fans pushed back on this.
“Saying Ilona shouldn’t be second: Ilona has been amazing, always improving, taking the judge’s criticism and coming out better the next time..and had ZERO dance experience coming in..SHE is what the show is supposed to be about!!!” an X post said. “SHE EARNED SECOND.”
The athlete has amassed millions of followers online thanks to her amusing social media posts, and one fan dubbed her the “queen of memes” throughout the season.
In one episode, when judge Carrie Ann Inaba asked Maher if she was doing OK when she became emotional, she replied, “Been better, Carrie Ann.” Fans also latched onto a clip of Maher, in Tuesday’s finale, jokingly pretending to faint after the show went to commercial break just as the winners were about to be revealed.
At the end of the day, might Maher failing to win the Mirrorball trophy actually be the best outcome for her? “Ilona not winning is a blessing in disguise for her,” a Reddit user argued. “She’d be getting a ton of flack from both the pro-Joey and the pro-Chandler fans! I really don’t think it would be worth it.”
As for Maher, she told Extra after the show that her takeaway from the season is that there’s always room to improve. “I had some really tough episodes this season, but I felt like I always came back stronger, and I’m just really proud of myself, honestly,” she said.
“Everybody knows first is the worst, second is the best,” Bersten also joked.
“Dancing with the Stars” is available to stream on Disney+.
Contributing: Edward Segarra and Mary Walrath-Holdridge