Ilona Maher Calls It a "Right of Passage" to Join 'Dancing With the Stars' Following the Olympics | THR Video - video Dailymotion

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Olympic rugby player Ilona Maher talks "trying new things" and tells THR that she is excited to see what she can do on the dance floor during the 'Dancing With the Stars' press line. Plus, she reveals what she hopes people will take away from her journey on the show.

Transcript

00:00What made you want to then do that quick turnaround and be a part of Dancing with the Stars?

00:04Well, I think it's kind of a strike while the iron's hot type thing.

00:07It almost feels like a rite of passage to do Dancing with the Stars after the Olympics.

00:10You know, Simone Biles has done it, Suni Lee, even Shawn Johnson and whatnot.

00:14So I thought it was just so cool, and I'm the first rugby player to do it.

00:17A big thing for me was trying out something new because a big thing, I preach trying new things,

00:22like trying rugby, getting girls to try rugby and get out of their comfort zone.

00:25And if I'm not going to do it myself and get out of my comfort zone with this, I think a little hypocritical.

00:28So I'm excited to see what I can do on the dance floor.

00:32Getting out of the rugby field where it just is my home.

00:35Alan, how have rehearsals been going?

00:37You've only had a few so far, right?

00:39We've only had two rehearsals so far.

00:41They're so much fun.

00:43I'm having a blast.

00:44Ilona's having a blast.

00:45We're working really hard.

00:46But above all else, it's just an enjoyable environment.

00:50You know, I look forward to rehearsals.

00:53I'm so excited to be partnered with Ilona.

00:56I feel so lucky.

00:56Alan Lowe, we're thinking of team names.

00:58So if anyone has anything, DM us.

01:01Are there any contenders so far?

01:03For team names or the dancers?

01:05Team names.

01:06Oh, oh.

01:07Alan Lowe, Ilona, but that's just my name with his name.

01:12Ilona Lynn.

01:13Ilona Lynn.

01:14We're really workshopping it.

01:16We're working.

01:18I love that.

01:19Are there any specific songs or artists that you would love to hopefully dance to this season?

01:24I love, you know, I'm a big into Chapel Rhone right now.

01:29Any of her cool songs.

01:31I love some older music, whether there's older pop artists in there.

01:36It could be, I'm blanking on every pop artist.

01:38You could do Hot To Go and you could do the Hot To Go dance.

01:41If it was that easy, I would be happy, but it's not.

01:46I know the athletes tend to do really well on this show.

01:49So how do you think your skills will carry over?

01:52I think, I don't know if it's my skills so much as I'm coachable and I'll listen and try

01:56to do better every time.

01:58So I don't think I have the skills just yet, but I will listen and truly try to improve.

02:03You've been such an inspiration for so many people, even just by seeing you at the Olympics.

02:07What do you hope people will take away from seeing your journey this season?

02:11I hope like for, you know, little girls and boys to like go out and try new things, whether

02:16it's the rugby you've been scared to try, even the soccer, the new, the language to learn.

02:21I think see my body type out there on the floor as well.

02:24Very muscular, big woman cutting a rug with my partner here.

02:27I love what cutting a rug means.

02:30Catch us.

02:30Wearing the dresses and feeling good and expressing myself out there, like showing you really

02:36can do so much and be really confident with it.

Ilona Maher Calls It a "Right of Passage" to Join 'Dancing With the Stars' Following the Olympics | THR Video

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