Ilona Maher challenges Taylor Swift and shines on Dancing with the Stars

Ilona Maher continues to upset the odds on Dancing with the Stars as the Olympic bronze medallist qualifies for the final with Alan Bersten, and took the time to joke about Taylor Swift's choreographer too.

The former rugby player has brought a fun personality to the show, which reflects in her dancing mastery, as she continues to impress judges and countless fans and audiences across the United States.

And she's even taken that bubbly personality to social media where she jested giving choreography to Mandy Moore, who has brought the Eras Tours' stage performances by Swift to life for the last 18 months.

"Here to help the iconic choreographer @nopenother [Moore] in whatever way I can @dancingwiththestars," Maher wrote via Instagram Reels. "Gets one 10 this season and thinks I can choreograph."

Maher and her partner qualified for the final after an energetic Paso Doble to Sam Smith's Unholy track and scored 28 out of 30, before going on to stun audiences with an intimate Viennese Waltz to Golden Hour by JVKE as they picked up a score of 29/30.

"I think it's really gotten me outside of my comfort zone," Maher said of appearing on Dancing with the Stars to Forbes. "For years now, I've been playing rugby in my comfort zone-something that I'm so good at, that I'm so powerful at.

"I think I was scared to do it because I knew it was going to be so hard. I think I'm just a braver person."

When is the Dancing With The Stars final?

As the Eras Tour prepares to end in Vancouver on December 8, Maher is also preparing for her own finale as she gears up to stake her bid to make Dancing With The Stars eternal history and glory.

She will get her chance on Tuesday November 26, 2024, from 20:00 ET/17:00 PT in a three-hour show broadcast by ABC and Disney+, with streaming of the end of Season 33 available the next day via Hulu.

The finalists will be given a redemption dance act by the judges as well as an open-floor freestyle routine. Maher/Bersten will perform in the freestyle to Femininomenon by District 78 ft Mona Rue.