Who won Dancing with the Stars? Who cares! This season was all about Ilona Maher’s star power

Last night, after much glitz and fanfare and sequins and kick-ball-changes, a winner was crowned on ABC’s 33rd season of Dancing with the Stars. In the hearts of her legions of online fans, that winner was Olympic rugby player and social media sensation Ilona Maher. In reality, it wasn’t, but does that really matter?

Ilona Maher was the true embodiment of this season, in my opinion. She was constantly improving, showed vulnerability, and gained so much confidence. She empowered so many young girls and won the hearts of so many. I wish she won, but she deserves all the flowers. #dwts #DWTS

The hit series that pairs professional ballroom dancers with celebrities to compete in themed choreographed dance routines had a record-breaking season both in terms of viewership and votes cast. Last night’s ratings haven’t yet been released, but the semifinal last week hit a season high of 5.19 million total viewers, as well as besting last year’s semifinal audience of 5.13 million. In addition, fan voting broke a series record by surpassing 20 million votes cast.

Even the season premiere in October saw the most votes ever received on a single episode in series history up to that point. Not bad for a show in its 33rd season. And while we can’t say for sure what drove fans to tune into this year’s competition, Olympian Maher and her millions of Instagram and TikTok followers likely didn’t hurt.

“It means everything, this whole experience has been unbelievable,” Graziadei said after his win. “Thank you for bearing with us. I tried my best, I promise!”

Maher and Bersten performed their freestyle routine on the season finale of Dancing with the Stars. (Eric McCandless/Disney)

So who actually won? In fact, the winners were Joey Graziadei — best-known for his stint as the Bachelor in the 28th season of the show — and his partner, dancer and choreographer Jenna Johnson.

Maher and partner Alan Bersten were the runners-up, coming in second. Each couple performed a freestyle dance and a redemption dance. For redemption, Maher and Bersten performed a jive to Shake A Tail Feather by Ray Charles & The Blues Brothers. Graziadei and Johnson performed a cha-cha to Can’t Stop The Feeling! by Justin Timberlake — earning a perfect score.

How Maher flipped the script U.S. rugby star Maher, 28, skyrocketed to social media fame during this summer’s Paris Olympics, where she won a bronze medal. She’s known for her quirky, comedic online presence as well as her advocacy for body positivity. She’s been dubbed “the queen of memes” on social media, where she’s posted countless reels about her Dancing with the Stars journey.

Maher was also the September digital cover model for Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit edition, where she was called a “modern-day role model of strength, conviction, and authenticity.”

Maher poses for a portrait during the Team USA media summit ahead of the Paris Olympics and Paralympics, at an event in New York on April 15. (Andrew Kelly/Reuters)

Maher often flipped the script on traditional ideas of femininity throughout this season of Dancing with the Stars, sometimes opting not to wear ballroom heels, and often lifting Bersten in the air. For the show’s Disney-inspired episode, Maher dressed as strong-woman Luisa from Encanto.

And before the finale aired, she posted a video of herself eating a Trader Joe’s sheet cake to prepare.

“You voting is the reason we got to 2nd place. Of course, it’s no first, but honestly we won in many other ways.”

Ilona Maher said she used to be ashamed of her muscles. Now, she’s on the newest swimsuit cover of Sports Illustrated — an appearance that the magazine’s editor says ‘symbolizes a shift in the narrative.’

Overall, Maher may not have taken home the mirrorball trophy, but she certainly won the hearts and admiration of countless fans. Her journey on Dancing with the Stars was one of growth, empowerment, and breaking stereotypes. She may not have won the competition, but in the eyes of many, she was the true champion of the season.