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.

Ilona Maher, an Olympic rugby player, has recently sparked controversy following her interview with CNN's Christina Macfarlane. When Maher denied experiencing imposter syndrome, Macfarlane persisted in questioning her,

You automatically assume I must not feel that I am deserving of where I’m at? ... You think they’re asking NFL players, male politicians if they have imposter syndrome?’

Olympian Ilona Maher is nursing a brutal injury following a violent collision in a recent Bristol Bears rugby match. Maher, 28, shared an update via Instagram on Saturday, January 18, writing, "When people keep asking me if I'm OK but I just broke my nose.

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.

Ilona Maher showed off her figure in a neon-yellow bikini while relaxing in a sauna mere days after breaking her nose in a rugby match

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.

Interviewer asks Ilona Maher how she deals with imposter syndrome. Source: CNN