USA rugby union star Ilona Maher narrowly missed out on winning ABC’s Dancing with the Stars finale on Tuesday night, placing third in the judges' scores but finishing second after viewer votes were tallied. Before her final dance with partner Alan Bursten, Maher reflected on her journey on the show. “I am strong and powerful, but I also can be graceful,” said the Olympic sevens bronze medalist. “So, the Mirrorball [Trophy] won’t be so much for me [if I win it], I think it’ll be for all the girls who’ve been told they’re too big, or they’re too muscly or they’re not pretty.” Ultimately, the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy, named after the late British judge of the show and its UK equivalent, Strictly Come Dancing, was awarded to Joey Graziadei (star of ABC’s The Bachelor) and dancer Jenna Johnson. US gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik, who won pommel horse and team bronze medals in Paris, finished fourth with partner Rylee Arnold.

Maher’s next steps are highly anticipated by her growing fanbase, both from her three-month stint on primetime TV and her substantial social media following, where she shares empowering messages mixed with her signature humor. Maher has expressed her desire to play for the USA in the 15-a-side Rugby World Cup in England next year, bringing significant star power to the field. However, she has been away from rugby for some time and has more TV engagements on the horizon, including a hinted appearance on The Bachelorette. On Tuesday night, ABC announced that Maher and Bursten will be part of the Dancing with the Stars tour in select cities.

Heading into the finale, Maher and Bursten were third in the judge’s rankings from the previous week, with 57 points, trailing Graziadei and Johnson, and Chandler Kinney (star of Disney’s Zombies) and her partner Brandon Armstrong by just one point. Judge Bruno Tonioli introduced Maher as “maybe the most powerful female star we’ve ever had – yet she also brings enlightenment.” Maher’s first dance was in the redemption round, where she and Bursten performed a jive to Shake a Tail Feather by Ray Charles, a dance she had struggled with earlier in the season. Despite scoring three nines, they fell four points behind the leaders.

A glimmer of hope appeared when Graziadei and Johnson scored 29 out of 30 for their freestyle, which was based on Graziadei’s former sport, tennis. Maher’s freestyle routine began in a mock rugby locker room, with shirts named after her Olympic teammates, and featured an exuberant rugby-themed dance to Femininomenon by Chappell Roan. Judge Carrie Ann Inaba praised Maher, saying, “It’s all about the impact you leave. You leave me feeling so empowered. That’s the magic.” Maher received three perfect 10s, but it wasn’t enough to secure the win.

At the Paris Olympics, Maher’s team secured a bronze medal, significantly boosting women’s rugby in the US. On Dancing with the Stars, Maher’s efforts earned her a notional silver, but her impact on the sport and her personal journey were undeniable.

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