Ilona Maher captured hearts across the nation during the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics and Season 33 of Dancing With the Stars—but the athlete recently left fans "devastated" after making a major career announcement.
On April 6, Maher, 28, took to Instagram with an important video message for her followers.
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"After careful consideration, I have decided to retire from dance," she shared. "I am a fresh-old dancer. You all know this. Um, never said was a good one, but I am a pro. I think I gotta hang up my dancing shoes."
Of course, Maher's tongue-in-cheek "retirement" came on the heels of the Dancing with the Stars: Live! tour ending on April 5 after kicking off on Jan. 7.
"You know, if I never have to learn another step again, I think I'll be happy. I think I will," the rugby player continued. "So I just wanted you all to hear this from me."
Maher concluded, "You know, I don't know what the tabloids will say tomorrow. But this is my decision. It was hard to make because I was, like, kind of up there with the best in the world, I would say at this point. But this is for me, and I thank you all for supporting that."
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A post shared by Ilona Maher (@ilonamaher)
In the comments, Maher's followers similarly dramatized her dancing retirement. Her DWTS partner, Alan Bersten commented, "Say psych right now. Please."
Meanwhile, the official DWTS Instagram account declared, "We are devastated."
"I've been better Carrie Anne," Brylee Armstrong, the wife of DWTS pro Brandon Armstrong, wrote, referencing a viral quote by Maher on the dancing competition series.
Bachelor alum and fellow DWTS Season 33 contestant Joey Graziadei joked, "I understand why, but it’s hard to accept ?."
"You finished your dance journey now it’s time for Alan to start his rugby journey ?," one fan quipped, as another echoed, "Have you thought about trying sports."
DWTS pro Emma Slater commented, "We have lost a gem in the dance world. I don’t think we’ll recover."
In other career news, Maher recently finished a short-term contract with the Bristol Bears in England's Premiership Women's Rugby league. She also launched a podcast with her two sisters, Olivia and Adrianna, called House of Maher.
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