From Paris 2024 and the SI Swimsuit cover to “Dancing with the Stars” and a contract with the Bristol Bears, Ilona Maher’s life has changed dramatically in less than a year. She tells CNN how it feels to become “America’s sweetheart.

Maher included a video of herself holding up a bag of ice to her face. She also lip-synched, “Been better, Carrie Ann.” (The athlete previously said the phrase last year after Dancing With The Stars judge Inaba asked why Maher was crying after she received tough feedback on her performance.)

Ilona Maher says that rugby union has to shift culture and mindset if it is going to evolve as a sport. With more than eight million followers across Instagram and TikTok, 28-year-old American international back Maher is the world’s most followed rugby player on social media.

U.S. Olympian rugby standout Ilona Maher broke her nose in her first home match with the Bristol Bears this past weekend.

Ilona Maher's latest Instagram post has fans ready to risk it all for a chance with the Olympic medalist. On Tuesday, the 28-year-old pro rugby player shared a set of new bikini snaps from what appeared to be the inside of a sauna just days after revealing her broken nose.