Olympian Ilona Maher 'I'M COMPLETELY OUT OF MY COMFORT ZONE'

THE OH-SO-RELATABLE RUGBY STAR OPENS UP ABOUT THE WHIRLWIND YEAR THAT TURNED HER INTO AMERICA'S SWEETHEART

- NATASHA DYE

Ilona Maher is on top of the world. Just three months after Maher, 28, led Team U.S.A. to its first medal in women's rugby at the Paris Olympics-and took social media by storm with witty TikToks from the village-the newly minted America's Sweetheart is taking on more challenges in season 33 of Dancing With the Stars. "I think when people say America's Sweetheart, I'm like, 'Me, the girl who plays rugby? Okay, I'll take it," she says. "But I don't think I'd be what most people think of a tall, broad-shouldered rugby player-as the sweetheart of the country."

The middle of three sisters (Olivia, 30, who is also Maher's manager, and Adrianna, 25), the athlete says she felt "socially awkward" growing up and "never fully learned how to make a friend." She also remembers that, while she's lauded for her body-positive videos now, she felt plenty of insecurity. "I had so many moments of me crying to my mom because I was a bigger girl.""