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.

Olympic rugby star Ilona Maher is on the mend after a rough collision during a recent match with her new team, the Bristol Bears.

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.)

The USA Eagles player is also not worried about a potential U.S. ban on TikTok, a platform she has amassed over three million followers on.

U.S. rugby star Ilona Maher has celebrated her first start for the Bristol Bears by powering over for a try in a 41-31 victory at the Exeter Chiefs.

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.

Ilona Maher is making her impact across the pond! The Olympic rugby bronze medalist made her debut on the pitch in England on Sunday, Jan. 5 — and it resulted in the Bristol Bears having to change stadiums to accommodate her fans.