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Heading Into ‘DWTS’ Finale, Alan Bersten Says Ilona Maher Is ‘Exactly What This Show Is All About’

The duo are one of five finalists vying for the Mirror Ball trophy next Tuesday.

Ananya Panchal

Alan Bersten and Ilona Maher
Alan Bersten and Ilona Maher / Jason Sean Weiss/BFA.com

The best part about Season 33 of Dancing With the Stars is all the sweet friendships we are witnessing blossom each week. We’re obviously rooting for our girl Ilona Maher, the September digital SI Swimsuit issue cover girl and an Olympic bronze medalist. The professional rugby player has been a standout on DWTS this year for her immense improvement, sense of humor and contagious, positive personality—and the latter two have also been key to her success as a social media star.

The 28-year-old is working to inspire an entire generation of female athletes and young girls and redefine what it means to be a woman in sports. And, her dance partner, choreographer Alan Bersten has had a front row seat to all her personal and professional growth over the past several weeks.

The duo just made it to the finals along with four additional pairs and we couldn’t be more excited and proud.

“Are you kidding me!!!?? @ilonamaher you are everything and more! You always seem to amaze me, I am so impressed with you. You danced so beautifully last night. You showed the world what you are made of! You showed everyone why you deserve to be in the finale, you are exactly what this show is all about. You have improved so much and you truly are a dancer now! I can’t thank you enough for always trusting me, believing in me, and allowing me to have the time of my life every day! I am so lucky to have you as my partner! Let’s do this!! Season 33 finals!!!!!!” Bersten, 30, gushed on Instagram underneath a pic of their Viennese Waltz from the semi-finals on Nov. 19.

Maher was super quick to return the favor in her own post. The two are constantly speaking candidly about how special their partnership and friendship is and both got teary-eyed on Tuesday’s episode at the thought of no longer seeing each other every day after the show ends.

“I wanted to dedicate this dance to the best partner I could have hoped for on this show, Alan. This experience has been one I will remember for the rest of my life with fondness because of what you made it for me. It has not always been easy and I still can’t figure out how to finish my arms but every hour with you in the studio has been a pleasure. Let’s give it our all this week one last time. ♥️,” the Vermont native wrote.

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Ananya Panchal
ANANYA PANCHAL

Ananya Panchal is a writer on the Lifestyle and Trending News team for SI Swimsuit, where she covers fashion, beauty, pop culture and the internet’s favorite personalities and trends. She joined the brand in 2022 after roles at Bustle, the San Francisco Chronicle and the TODAY Show. Panchal loves to write about fashion in all its forms—from standout runway moments and evolving street style to the best accessories to elevate each season’s wardrobe (she rarely goes anywhere without a stack of jewelry and a coffee in hand). A self-proclaimed beauty fanatic, she’s always on the hunt for must-have products and loves breaking down viral trends. Her favorite series at the moment is spotlighting female founders and the stories behind the brands they’ve built—especially those shaping the future of fashion, wellness and tech. She is based between New York City and San Francisco and, when she’s not writing, can be found rewatching One Tree Hill, playing sudoku, trying new restaurants or ranking her favorite Disney Channel Original Movies. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communications and journalism with a minor in criminal justice from Boston University.

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