Ilona Maher’s Semi-Finals Viennese Waltz - Dancing with the Stars

[@vikingredkangaroo]

Am I the only person watching this with a tear in her eye? Ilona looks radiant and so happy. in some ways its all of us who ever wanted that moment to feel graceful and dancing on air. good on you Miss Maher! we are all rooting for you.

[@meganelisabeth4784]

Couldn't agree more!!! Not only that but shes changing the way larger built /muscular women are seen! (Not being rude at all. I'm not sure how else to phrase it). We're given a role model who's not only athletic and absolutely stunning but can be light on her feet. The way she floats across the stage is breathtaking!! I get the show is all about talent and votes but I truly hope she wins. Not only has she proven people wrong but she's grown as a dancer. Out of everyone on this season she's truly put her full heart on her sleeves, admitted her mistakes and fixed all the things the judges have asked of her. I also think she's gotten out of her comfort zone, opened up more and now can see the talent she has on and off the stage as well as the field! 😭❤️ I cry every time thinking of the younger me who looked like her and was bullied for it from middle school to high school. I wanted a role model like this!! Shes changing the way younger people see themselves!! Sorry for the rant. I could go on & on about all the things she's done just on this show to help women with similar body types!❤

[@melissanimmer1249]

This made me tear up too!!

[@RockyMountainHoosier]

Me too. And Alan shows her off to such perfection.

[@Sunyatayoga-xc3hb]

i cried tooooo amazing best dance

[@tiyetiye379]

You’re definitely not the only one, this was lovely

[@NaomiHiggins03]

I love how Ilona dedicated this dance to Alan. They have a great partnership and it’s been a joy to watch them form a close friendship over the last few months. I love these two so much! This was a good routine for Ilona. She did SO good tonight!

[@RT-dk7yv]

I was fully lost in this dance, between Alan’s masterful choreography, Ilona’s massive improvements, and their beautiful chemistry.

[@Trumpwon438]

Oh yea. I see that chemistry, too. Are they both single?

[@allonsie7435]

Crying for the little me who wished she was treated this delicately. So beautiful Ilona

[@veronicawileman1812]

YES!! 100% I love how Alan showcases Ilona and focuses so much on making her feel and look beautiful!

[@raellis22]

this was truly so so breathtaking. ive danced for 15 years, and ilona has completely transformed my perspective on this sport. she is everything every young girl needs in a role model, i am so lucky to have her to look up to

[@MajesticMyronn]

That dance was absolutely gorgeous- I was just in awe… so much delicacy, so much trust, so much care and passion for the craft and the technique & attention to detail with the little nuances of movement! I’m extremely proud of Ilona & her journey on the floor! It’s a 9 🤍

[@emmagalindo4061]

I’m so obsessed with Ilona and Alan! They really compliment each other and bring out the best in each other’s dancing. This dance was beautiful and shows her growth as a dancer. Amazing!!

[@devilduckietu]

What her partner has done so smartly this entire season is include motions that allow the grace Ilona is capable of, as well as ones that give her physique and physical power to shine. It’s absolutely incredible to watch!!

[@cdn0199]

I'm rooting for her. Is she technically the best dancer? No. But she is RELATABLE. A wholesome person thrown into a world she really has little/zero experience in and doing a great job!

[@Trumpwon438]

You nailed it.

[@user-ef5id9km3p]

Wow that was absolutely gorgeous. What a story arc, the growth in Illona is phenomenal.

[@helaneaglae8144]

Watched this dance through the tears in my eyes. This whole season has been to show how she can be both strong and graceful and it was beautiful to finally see her floating and shining

[@sarahelizabethlewis6636]

I’ve never cried watching anyone dance on this show. I’ve been happy for so many but this dance brought me to tears! Ilona! You are doing so much by being on this season! You are showing little girls that can do whatever they set their eyes on! Go Ilona!!!

[@ZannePeace42]

Genuinely teared up. Dance is supposed to make us feel something -- you did that ❤ beautiful

[@Anne-fg1ld]

Honestly, this dance just was touching. Like not even because I love Ilona. Just that it was like really really beautiful. Like this gives me tessa virtue vibes. Like I go back and just watch her skating videos because they just give me this super happy and touched feeling. That is what Ilona's dancing does here. It honestly is magical to watch-- lol that's why I'm back here

[@janet6114]

I thought of Tessa and Scott’s chemistry when watched this a dozen times !

[@lisad2427]

This was definitely a storytelling about her true friendship with Alan (the pro dancer) and all her hard work she has done in these past weeks. 🎉 It was a BEAUTIFUL DEDICATION song ❤, and the whole dance I was so EMOTIONAL! 😢 I HOPE SHE WINS, she has really improved and wow she has no dance experience. I commend her for everything she has learn and her personality is so lovable. She has a warm heart, so positive, and a great sense of humor! Voting for her to win the 🏆 trophy!! 😊👐💖

[@Kayumari]

Wow the two dances they did this week fabulous. You two are bringing it.

[@alexisgeorge9920]

Ilona and Alan have such great chemistry and it's been so sweet watching their friendship blossom over the season

[@danieller9640]

That dress is SO STUNNING

[@samba345]

Absolutely sobbed watching this the first time. This is my favorite dance of theirs by far. So elegant, graceful, and calm. Ilona was glowing the entire dance.

[@tomtomlinson4826]

She was truly having her moment. So beautiful on so many levels. Alan is such beautiful, joyous person and excellent partner/coach.

[@FeatheredWingz]

Omggg! Gorgeous dance! What a lovely upward trajectory Ilona has had! She's really worked hard at learning this new craft and it's paid off.

[@dianagee3316]

What!!!!??? That was just beautiful. Omg! It was just exhilarating to watch. Intense.

[@Thomassteven00]

Ilona is truly peaking at the right time her performances this week were incredible. The part at 1:09 to 1:14 is just one of those moments in a dance that gives you goosebumps and sums up the chemistry and partnership between the star and pro. She’s for sure the most improved contestant this year.

[@anartfuljourney6897]

Absolute goosebumps! Didn’t see that move coming and it definitely soared!

[@ravenpurple1527]

This couple, this songgggg I'M ABOUT TO CRYYYY

[@nataliekeating4115]

This made me emotional. So beautiful, love that her smile was genuine and couldn’t leave her face. She looks like a natural now

[@babydollfatykim]

Crying so much, this is soooo beautiful, Ilona looks so radiant

[@heidi9908]

I’M SO PROUD AND IMPRESSED BY ILONA! 🥹

[@DeeM4rie]

This was beautiful! She has improved so much since week 1 and I am so happy for her.

[@sirenmuscle]

Her BEST dance. This dance reminds me of the movie LaLa Land.

[@nikwalters1029]

You could tell how much fun and enjoyment she got out of that, she is so inspiring.

[@vintagegal7376]

Absolutely stellar. So proud of Ilona.....she is just stunning on and off the dance floor.

[@VeronicaArnoldSmither]

Ilona is my princess!! I am crying watching this extremely delicate and beautiful dance by such a strong and amazing woman!! I’m so proud of her and I don’t even know her.

[@kashia8375]

Something real special happened this week for Ilona 👏

[@Trumpwon438]

Actually, I felt something this week with them that I haven't felt with any of these dancers. But that dance with Whitney and the football player deserved at least one 10.

[@Islandbreeze23]

Whoa!!! You two did such a BEAUTIFUL job!!! I actually felt something watching this dance!! It felt like Ilona was blooming 🥲💕

[@clairebolster3984]

This was so incredible to watch and just embrace her progression! I know that Chandler and Joey have been consistent, but to me, watching Ilona, Stephen, and Danny embrace this show and show this progression is so much fun, and the heart of the show. I truly think Len would have loved this dance too!

[@yogalover4024]

ALL THE EMOTIONS!!!!!!!!!! So good!!!!!

[@voraklung2797]

this chorograph super creative I LOVE IT

[@kathyandrews5217]

Generally, I don't root for women on this show because most have a dance background of one form or another. I am really hoping for Ilona to win next week. To me she is what this show has always been about, people who are not dancers becoming dancers through hard work. You go girl!!!!❤

[@MagicMac100]

Ilona absolutely transformed into her own princess in this dance 🥹🥰 I knew she was holding back in the beginning 👏 her softness is so beautiful and I believed she had it in her this entire time. It’s just gorgeous to finally see her turn into a butterfly😭

[@cathymumper2126]

Wow! This is my favorite dance she has done. She’s so beautiful!

[@VikingSerenity]

Stop this literally brought me to tears 😢

[@cindyardon3275]

SHE CAN WIN THISSSSSS LET GOOO

[@MeganTerrell]

This is my favorite dance she's done. There is something about this strong, funny, typically goofy and silly woman embracing her graceful and soft side so strongly. Truly amazing to see her blossom and expand everyone's view of female athletes this season.

[@danielguizar360]

Ilona went from a rugby player to a beautiful swan 🦢🦢🦢🦢🦢She should be very proud of herself

[@filmandglobetrotting]

IM CRYING WATCHING THIS😭😭😭

[@Trumpwon438]

Ilona is that rock in a gown. Such beauty and grace. Cause I've seen you play. 😮 Well done, Ilona, well done.

[@destyneefloyd6804]

i am incredibly proud of llona she has come so far

[@jennyimarhia2975]

This was so beautiful and pure

[@shnooksMN]

Crazy wonderful!

[@Наталия-ф4ф]

Мурашки, слезы наворачиваются. Очень трогательно. Все участники замечательные, но именно их последние номера хочется пересматривать и не один раз. Спасибо.

[@Omonohoshi]

Loved the Paso, but this one. It really did feel as they were the Only ones in that studio. So awesome. The only other dance that had me in the "Feels" was Jojo and Jennas Foxtrot. True Friendships that came through in the dancing.

[@marshaflores2923]

Beautiful.

[@FreebieKitty]

Wonderful. I hope she wins! She is the most improved.

[@jillmissig9670]

So beautiful!

[@marcocruciani1706]

The hug, I want that hug!❤

[@plandl1]

That ckoked me up it was so beautiful.

[@jenstaton620]

Absolutely gorgeous 💙💙💙❗

[@TyjaHunter]

Now kiss That was the cutest dance❤

[@PatriciaYoung]

Brilliant! Wonderful! Real!

[@aneeqrehman2528]

This was so good

[@marymarsh2564]

So beautiful 😍

[@TombCat]

I really love her. She truly is transformed and most improved. Unlike the gymnast and football player, she really can DANCE now. I wish Ilona would win instead of The Bachelor. Never mind that Brandon and his partner ARE the best dancers. To be honest, there has not been one dance good enough all season to compete with the best dances of other years. Brandon and Chandler's tango came closest. Ilona is gonna bruise Alan up good in their freestyle. Can't wait. 🥰

[@shamanbeartwo3819]

I have not been her biggest fan this season 'cause I thought she was too stiff and relied on athletics. But she won me over with her quickstep last week and this dance? Tears.

[@makennapolovino555]

So beautiful

[@tjh4115]

OH i was wrong before. THIS was DEFINITELY her best. Magnificent.

[@GramaBuffye]

Shine Ilona....in your GOLDEN HOUR.

[@nolanative62]

Beautiful, Ilona, simply beautiful! You have complete trust in your partner,justifiably so. Congrats 🎉

[@Alyssa_Swiftie]

This dance made me cry 😢

[@andersonnguyen7801]

Sometimes less is more, and this moment 1:09 was an excellent example emphasizing lyricism and musicality

[@sophiaaraujo6335]

this just beat her rumba as my favorite dance!!

[@thegreatb18]

Agreed.

[@kimberlyd6181]

She’s so pretty.

[@joshguzmn1]

Wow that was good

[@artistnilo]

yall i CRIED

[@kaizenhealthandfitness]

Incredible! What’s this beautiful song?

[@thegreatb18]

Golden Hour by JVKE

[@michelletekopua3429]

Am I the only one that cried watching this

[@tanyambeaver]

She looks like a fairy tale!

[@tineal18]

I boo hoo cried watching this

[@alyssaa7829]

🥲🥲🥲👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼🥹🥹🥹

[@Trumpwon438]

Is it just me or does anyone see a figure change in Ilona? From the beginning till now.

[@mainarocha4505]

When it comes to technique, I think Ilona has surpassed Joe, but nobody talks about it. Maybe bc he's a more natural performer or Jenna is a more creative choreographer... Ilona's feet are SO MUCH BETTER than Joe's!

[@LevineConsulting]

She lost alot of weight too

[@christinanguyen8067]

Not getting 10s for this was criminal 😭

[@mullallylally]

At this stage if she doesnt win the show is as rigged as that mike tyson fight

[@LevineConsulting]

She doesn’t look so many

[@MsOperababe]

I walked my son down the aisle to this song…thanks Ilona I cried Well done 💕