By Chelsea Hirsch
Contributing Entertainment Writer
Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors
Ilona Maher is ready to take on the ballroom with her Disney-inspired performance.
The Olympic athlete, 28, shared a behind-the-scenes look at her and Alan Bersten's jazz routine to "Surface Pressure" from Encanto via Instagram.
Maher is on the stage holding a ball representing the world in the snap while her pro, 30, is below her.
"We're giving the people what they want,"Bersten explained in an interview. "They want her to be Luisa from Encanto. She will be Luisa, I will be a donkey. This is the most excited I've ever been for a dance."
"Literally skipping my dance to watch yours," fellow contestant Jenn Tran commented. The former Bachelorette is set to perform a rumba to "Kiss the Girl" from The Little Mermaid.
She later shared a behind-the-scenes look at her childhood with a carousel of images from trips to Disney World.
Maher captioned the montage, "In honor of Disney Night, here are some pics of me having the time of my life at Disney World. I'm doing this dance for this little girl who would have absolutely loved Luisa."
The dance floor duo has been a fan favorite this season as they've tackled the cha-cha, salsa and foxtrot among other styles. Maher dedicated her most recent rumba set to "My Way" by Yseult to the USA Eagles, her women's rugby team that took home a bronze medal at the 2024 Olympic Games.
She made an error during her dance to Quiet Riot's hit "Cum On Feel the Noize," during Hair Metal night, with judge Carrie Ann Inaba telling her that she went off beat. Maher was emotional afterward, and her response to Inaba – "Been better Carrie Ann" – became a viral TikTok sound.
Dancing with the Stars airs Tuesdays on ABC and Disney+ at 8 p.m. ET.
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