Ilona Maher’s DWTS partner Alan Bersten makes his feelings known as Olympian hilariously comments on struggling to appear mysterious and chill

Alan Bersten, Ilona Maher’s dance partner from the reality series Dancing With The Stars (DWTS), recently made his feelings known after the rugby star joked about struggling to look mysterious and chill. Following the conclusion of DWTS, Maher has signed a three-month contract with the Premiership Women's Rugby’s Bristol Bears team which will begin from January 2025.

After signing with the Bears, Maher recently attended the European Rugby Champions Cup. Following this, she posted a reel humorously calling herself out. In the video, she appears overly enthusiastic while waving at the rugby fans at Ashton Gate. She shared the reel on her Instagram, where the video was captioned:

“Once again failing my mission to seem mysterious and chill”

Additionally, Ilona Maher captioned the post, writing:

“It’s just not who I am”

DWTS partner Alan Bersten quickly joined in the comments and reacted, saying:

“You? The chillest !!”

Screenshot of Bersten’s comment on Ilona Maher’s IG post. Credits - Instagram/ @ilonamaher

In season 33 of DWTS, Maher and Bersten impressed the fans with their dancing skills and finished only behind Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson, who took home the Mirrorball Trophy.

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“Somebody who I would hope to connect with for rest of my life”- Ilona Maher speaks on her friendship with Alan Bersten

Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten are seen at the "Dancing With The Stars" rehearsal studios. (Photo by ZZHollywood To You/Star Max/Getty Images)

Following their runner-up finish at the DWTS, Ilona Maher expressed her thoughts about friendship with dance partner Alan Bersten. In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, she stated (starting at 0:15):

“I didn’t expect this to happen but I think having somebody because we spend every day together like truly a genuine friend, somebody who I would hope to connect with for the rest of my life. Like, this has been amazing and it’s been tough at times, but like to go through something like this, it bonds you.”

Choreographer Alan Bersten was also asked about Maher's journey and the future of their friendship. To which, he responded (from 0.46 onwards):

“Honestly, I don’t have enough words to express how proud of Ilona I am. She’s remarkable. She’s spectacular. She’s beautiful. She is just everything. She’s awesome and I’m so lucky I met her. I’m so lucky we’re going to be friends now. She is stuck with me.”

It is worth noting that Maher and Bersten developed a close friendship, often appearing on reels with each other during their journey in DWTS.