Ilona Maher Shares What She Looks for in a Partner Amid Alan Bersten Dating Rumors
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Ilona Maher recently opened up to People magazine about her dating life and what she looks for in a partner. The story has some interesting timing, since some Dancing with the Stars fans have wondered if romance could be brewing between Maher and her dance partner Alan Bersten.
Ilona Maher Talks Dating Life Amid Alan Bersten Rumors
Maher told People that she hasn’t “been on a date in years,” joking that she’s waiting for someone to slide into her DMs. As she explained, “It’s all very positive moms that are like, ‘I love what you’ve done for my daughter,’ and I’m like, ‘Where’s the NFL players? I thought there’d be more. No billionaires in here?’”
The Olympic rugby player shared that she’s looking for someone she can “banter” with, saying “I flirt and then you come back with something, and it’s like a back-and-forth that I really like.” She also hopes to find a partner who will support her in her career.
“I’ve never really had somebody who’s come to my rugby games,” Maher shared. “Somebody who’s really proud to see me shine and wants me to keep growing — someone who shows me off.”
Some fans think that special someone could be her DWTS partner Alan Bersten. A recent TikTok video drew attention to Bersten getting touchy with Maher during last week’s show, as he stood behind her and put his hands on her hips.
SEE ALSO: ILONA MAHER SAYS IT WOULD’VE BEEN ‘HYPOCRITICAL’ FOR HER TO DECLINE ‘DANCING WITH THE STARS’
@gonzalezzz792 Okay hand placement!! Everyone has been talking about Jenn & Sasha in this moment, but I had my eyes glued to these two. I gasped when he grabbed her hips. Love them! @Ilona Maher @Alan #dancingwiththestars ♬ SHE IS THE MOMENT – haley
Maher Knew That DWTS Would Be Difficult
Maher told People that she was “definitely hesitant” to accept the offer to compete on Dancing with the Stars Season 33, explaining, “I knew how hard it was going to be. I was not fooling myself that this would be an easy time.”
She hasn’t tried to hide her frustration, as she broke down in tears earlier this season on Hair Metal Night. As she said, “Even though it was on national television, it felt natural to cry after my jive. I knew I could do it better, and we practiced it so many times where I did do it better.”
Maher said the hardest part of the competition is “performing in front of the audience and not letting that get in my head.” She added that doing the show is “making me a better person,” sharing, “I’m really having the time of my life.”