“When producers randomly pair you together but you end up truly enjoying every second of it.” That was the caption Ilona Maher dropped on Instagram last year — and looking back, it summed up the unexpected magic of her journey on Dancing with the Stars Season 33 perfectly. How?
In a season packed with surprises, it was Ilona and her pro partner Alan Bersten who quietly became the fan favorites. From their first shaky foxtrot to their fiery freestyle in the finale, they danced their way into America’s hearts — and almost into the winner’s circle. The duo finished runners-up, scoring an impressive 114 out of 120, just three points behind Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson. Not bad for a pair no one saw coming. And honestly? Neither did they.
Fast forward to their emotional reunion on the House of Maher YouTube podcast — their first sit-down since the show wrapped in November 2024 — and the chemistry was still there. But so were the memories… and the confessions. Ilona didn’t hold back when she shared how she really felt before meeting Alan. “I remember thinking, I was like, oh, this guy’s very like… not animated,” she said with a laugh. “I wasn’t sure if that’s like, if it was all a front and I was here like, this guy could be really animated and nice on the show or he could just be and then be a total, like, not fun, actually.”
The Olympian had a rough idea of who her partner would be — ‘great and 6’2”’ — but that didn’t ease her nerves. The fear of clashing energies lingered. “I was scared that all of a sudden, like the mask would be ripped away and you’d just be like, ‘All right, let’s do it’. I was so happy that how you were is how our time would be,” she admitted. Turns out, she wasn’t alone in her pre-season jitters.
Alan, a DWTS veteran, confessed that this time around, he purposely avoided asking who his partner was. “One season, I was told who it was, and then there was a switch — didn’t turn out great,” he shared. “So this time I was like, I’m just gonna walk in without any expectations.” Still, he had a hunch. And when he finally met Ilona?
“It worked out perfectly,” Alan said, smiling. So, what began as two strangers with wildly different vibes — a high-energy Olympian and a calm, collected pro dancer — turned into one of the most surprising and heartfelt partnerships the show has seen in years. Their journey was filled with growth, laughs, trust, and maybe even a little fate. Because sometimes, when the producers roll the dice… they hit the jackpot. This time, the producer, Dina, hit the jackpot. She brought two souls close who penned a tale in a different world. Here comes another story to justify that.
Ilona Maher had a perfect name to call the bonding
After one particularly electric Dancing with the Stars episode in November, Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten found themselves in the E! News spotlight — and not just for their killer choreography. When asked if they were aware that fans were shipping them hard on social media, Ilona didn’t miss a beat. “Oh yeah,” she laughed. “We see it all over. And honestly? Keep doing it, people. We love it!” What was that?
While Maher cleared the air with a smile — “If ship means relationship, we are… we are the besties!” — it was clear there’s something more than just slick dance moves between them. Not romance, necessarily, but something undeniably real. The Olympic rugby star, however, was full of praise for her partner, calling their bond something special. “I really enjoy Alan’s company. We have so much fun together.”
And then came the moment that made everyone watching melt just a little: “I love him,” Ilona said with heartfelt sincerity. “I think we’re building something really beautiful here. I hope it continues.” So, whether it’s friendship, partnership, or something still writing its own story, one thing’s for sure: Ilona and Alan have the kind of connection that goes beyond the ballroom. And honestly? We’re shipping it. Hard.
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