As Dancing with the Stars Season 33 nears its grand finale, fans are anxiously speculating about who will claim the coveted mirrorball trophy.
The season has been full of surprises, twists, and emotional moments. One of the most talked-about events occurred during the Halloween episode, where Jenn Tran and her partner Sasha Farber were unexpectedly eliminated.
This came as a shock to many, especially since Jenn and Sasha had been one of the strongest couples in the competition.
Many fans, feeling that Jenn and Sasha deserved to stay, believed that either Dwight Howard or Ilona Maher should have been sent home instead.
Though it was hard to see such a strong couple leave the competition, I don’t agree with the idea that Ilona should have been the one to go. In fact, I’ve been watching Dancing with the Stars for as long as I can remember.
Growing up, I tuned in to every season, and I can say without a doubt that Ilona Maher represents exactly what the show is about.
A major concern voiced by viewers is that Ilona isn’t the strongest dancer, yet she keeps being saved week after week, despite her lower scores.
Many fans believe that her presence in the competition has more to do with fan support than her dancing skills. While this is a valid point to some degree, I believe that this is exactly why Ilona is such an important contestant this season.
Yes, it’s true that she isn’t the most polished dancer, but the key thing that sets her apart is that she has shown the most improvement.
This is exactly what Dancing with the Stars is all about. The show’s goal is not only to showcase the talents of professional dancers but also to transform people with little to no dance experience into skilled performers. Ilona is the perfect example of this journey.
It’s important to consider the other contestants who have been consistently praised for their skills throughout the season.
Contestants like Danny Amendola, Joey Graziadei, and Chandler Kinney have all been exceptional dancers. From the very beginning of the season, they have scored highly, and they have demonstrated impressive skills on the dance floor.
Still from Dancing with the Stars (Credit: Disney)
However, the issue with their performances is that they haven’t shown much improvement. This isn’t necessarily a negative thing; after all, they are incredibly talented dancers with a natural rhythm that makes their routines look effortless. But that’s also what makes Ilona’s growth so special.
When you look back at her performances from week 1 to now, it’s clear how much she has improved. She has come a long way, and her hard work has been evident in every routine. In a show where the main purpose is to learn and grow, Ilona’s journey truly stands out.
Despite her growth, some people still compare Ilona to Bobby Bones, a radio personality who competed on the show in a previous season and won the mirrorball trophy.
Many believe that Ilona could be following in Bobby Bones’s footsteps, where fan support might carry her further than her dancing skills.
While it’s understandable that some fans may see similarities between Bobby Bones and Ilona, I think this comparison is unfair. The situations are very different.
Bobby Bones won despite being one of the weakest dancers of his season. His win was largely attributed to fan support, rather than any significant growth or improvement in his dancing ability.
Ilona, on the other hand, has shown consistent effort and progress each week. She has listened to the judges’ feedback and used it to improve her performances. She takes every piece of criticism with grace and uses it to push herself further.
Ilona’s journey is a clear testament to her hard work, dedication, and passion for becoming a better dancer. While fan voting has certainly played a role in her success (as it has for every contestant), Ilona has truly earned her place in the competition.
At the beginning of the season, Ilona may not have seemed like a contender for the mirrorball trophy. She was still adjusting to the domain of competitive dancing, and her performances weren’t as polished as some of her fellow contestants. But over time, Ilona has grown more confident in herself and her abilities.
She has shown that it’s possible to overcome self-doubt and push through challenges to become a better version of yourself. This transformation has been incredible to watch. Ilona’s journey reminds us all that Dancing with the Stars is about more than just winning a trophy.
It’s about self-discovery, confidence, and finding your own strength. As someone who has been watching the show for many years, I believe that Ilona’s story is one of the most inspiring to date.
Still from Dancing With the Stars (Credit: Disney+)
Part of what makes Dancing with the Stars so compelling is watching contestants step out of their comfort zones and put themselves in situations that challenge them. Performing in front of millions of viewers each week takes courage, especially when it’s something that is unfamiliar.
Ilona has faced this challenge head-on, even when things didn’t go perfectly. She’s done it with such poise and grace, always maintaining a positive attitude despite the ups and downs of the competition. Her ability to stay strong, even in difficult times, is one of the things that sets her apart from other contestants.
Ilona has become a symbol of perseverance, showing that anyone can achieve their goals if they are willing to put in the effort.
One of the most beautiful parts of Dancing with the Stars is witnessing the personal growth of the contestants. It’s not just about dance skills—it’s about confidence, resilience, and the ability to keep pushing forward. Ilona has truly embodied all of these qualities this season.
She may not have been the most experienced dancer when she started, but she has proven that she has the heart, the dedication, and the willpower to succeed.
She has earned every single moment she has spent on that stage, and she is a true representation of the spirit of the show.
Looking ahead, it’s entirely possible that Ilona could make it to the finals of this season’s competition.
With her partner Alan Bersten, she has the potential to make it all the way to the mirrorball trophy. Some may think that this is an unrealistic goal, but I don’t believe it’s out of reach.
If Ilona continues to improve as she has been, and if she and Alan work together to incorporate the judges’ feedback into their routines, they have a real chance of winning.
Dancing with the Stars is a show full of surprises, and anything can happen. The journey to the finals is never straightforward, but Ilona’s consistent growth and determination suggest that she could very well make it to the end.
At the heart of Dancing with the Stars is the idea that anyone can achieve greatness if they work hard enough. Ilona has proven this time and time again throughout the season.
She has faced challenges and doubts, but she has always risen to meet them with grace and determination.
Her growth as a dancer and as a person has been remarkable, and she has earned the respect and admiration of fans and judges alike. Her journey on the show is a testament to the power of hard work and perseverance, and it is an inspiration to all of us.
Still from Dancing With the Stars (Credit: Disney+)
It’s clear to me that Ilona Maher deserves a spot in the finale of Dancing with the Stars. She has worked tirelessly to get to this point, and she has demonstrated that she has the heart, the dedication, and the talent to be a worthy competitor.
If she continues to grow and improve as she has, there’s no reason why she couldn’t win the mirrorball trophy.
No matter what happens, Ilona’s journey on the show has been nothing short of incredible, and she is the kind of contestant that Dancing with the Stars has always needed. Let’s cheer her on as she continues to shine on the dance floor!
Ilona Maher’s journey on Dancing with the Stars has been a powerful example of growth, perseverance, and the transformative nature of the show.
While some may still question her place in the competition due to her earlier performances, it’s important to recognize the incredible progress she has made.
Ilona has demonstrated that success in Dancing with the Stars is not just about innate talent or perfect performances from the start.
Rather, it is about hard work, dedication, and the ability to learn and improve week after week. From her humble beginnings with little dance experience, Ilona has proven that with determination, anyone can develop the skills needed to compete at a high level.
Her story resonates with viewers because it is about more than just dancing—it’s about the journey of finding confidence, overcoming self-doubt, and embracing the challenges that come with stepping outside your comfort zone.
Ilona has embodied the true spirit of Dancing with the Stars, showing that the show is not only a competition but also a platform for personal growth and self-discovery.
As the season progresses, Ilona’s continued dedication to improving, her unwavering perseverance, and her ability to inspire others make her a worthy contender for the mirrorball trophy.
In reality TV, few things are more entertaining than watching a villain at work. There’s something magnetic about these characters who create drama, stir up conflict, and turn a simple game into a battle for power.
The role of the villain in reality TV, especially in shows like Survivor, is central to the excitement and success of the series.
Villains provide the conflict and the suspense that keep viewers coming back for more. Over the years, Survivor has delivered some of the most memorable villains in reality television, with many contestants using cutthroat strategies, clever alliances, and ruthless tactics to survive and win the grand prize of $1 million.
In this season, we see a villain who is playing the game in a way that is both old-school and modern—charming, yet calculating.
Survivor, the CBS reality competition show, has been impressing audiences for over two decades with its concept of survival.
The game is simple in theory: a group of strangers is stranded on a remote island, where they must compete in challenges and outlast one another to claim the ultimate prize.
However, the game is anything but simple. It requires strategy, social skills, and the ability to manipulate others to reach the end.
As the seasons have gone by, the game has grown, and the contestants have become more sophisticated in their approach to winning.
One of the most intriguing aspects of Survivor is the role of the villain. These characters are often the most entertaining to watch, as they can manipulate alliances, break trust, and cause chaos—all while trying to secure their path to the end.
While Survivor has seen its share of memorable villains—such as the ruthless Russell Hantz or the sly Parvati Shallow—this season introduces a new antagonist who is rewriting the playbook for how to be a villain in the game.
Still from Survivor 47 (Credit: CBS)
Gabe Ortis, a member of the blue Tuku tribe, might not initially seem like your typical Survivor villain, but his actions throughout the season have made it clear that he is playing a cutthroat game behind a friendly exterior.
Ortis is a master manipulator who uses his charm and social skills to weave a web of alliances, only to betray them when it suits his needs.
His gameplay is a blend of modern villainy, where he keeps his actions hidden behind a friendly smile while quietly pulling the strings from behind the scenes.
The Rise of Gabe Ortis: A Modern Villain
At the start of the season, Ortis didn’t come off as a typical Survivor villain. He had a bright, engaging smile and an approachable demeanor that made him well-liked by his fellow tribe members.
He quickly became a part of a powerful alliance, and his easygoing attitude made him appear harmless to those around him.
However, as the game progressed, it became clear that Ortis was playing a much more complex game than it seemed at first glance. His likability was his weapon.
It allowed him to build trust with the other players, which in turn gave him the opportunity to manipulate them later.
While many contestants on Survivor try to keep their gameplay hidden, Ortis didn’t shy away from boasting about his abilities. He didn’t just want to win; he wanted everyone around him to know that he was better than them.
He often spoke about how much smarter he was than his competitors, particularly the women in his alliance, whom he referred to as “little birds.”
These women, he believed, needed him to do everything for them. It was an arrogant attitude that revealed his true nature as a player who thought he was always one step ahead of everyone else.
What made Ortis different from past Survivor villains, however, was his ability to hide his arrogance behind a friendly facade. In the early days of the game, he gained the trust of his fellow tribemates by being friendly and engaging.
He formed strong relationships with key players like Sue Smey and Caroline Vidmar, building a sense of loyalty and camaraderie.
This made it harder for others to see him as a threat. After all, villains are usually identified early on for their behavior, but Ortis was careful to appear as an ally before revealing his true intentions.
However, as the game continued, Ortis’s darker side began to emerge. His cocky attitude became more pronounced, and it was clear that he didn’t just want to win the game—he wanted to control the game.
In episode seven, Ortis demonstrated just how much power he believed he had by taking charge during a tribe meeting.
Still from Survivor 47 (Credit: CBS)
He relaxed on a swing, dictating his plans to the other players as if they had no choice but to follow his lead. This was a turning point in the season, as it showed the true nature of Ortis’s gameplay.
He wasn’t just a guy with a smile—he was a player who thought he could manipulate everyone around him to get what he wanted.
Ortis’s Manipulative Tactics
What made Ortis a particularly effective villain was his ability to manipulate people while keeping them unaware of his true intentions.
He never acted with the typical aggression or loudness that we associate with villains. Instead, he used a more subtle, behind-the-scenes approach to control the game.
Ortis’s manipulation was not about being overtly mean or dramatic; it was about playing a long game, where he gained trust and then used that trust to betray people when the time was right.
Ortis’s first major betrayal came early in the season when he formed an alliance with Smey and Vidmar, only to backstab them when it suited him. He pretended to be loyal to these women, gaining their trust so that he could use them to further his own agenda.
However, when the time came, Ortis was quick to throw them under the bus in order to secure his own position in the game. This kind of betrayal is a hallmark of the Survivor villain, and Ortis executed it with precision and finesse.
One of Ortis’s most memorable moments came when he manipulated Rachel LaMont into thinking she was safe. LaMont had done everything right, but Ortis convinced her that she was in danger, leading her to make a move that would ultimately save her game.
After LaMont saved herself, Ortis turned to Kyle Ostwald and made it clear that he thought Smey should be saved over the crying Tiyanna Hallums at tribal council. Ortis’s reasoning was simple: Smey was a better ally who would do whatever they wanted.
This moment showed just how much Ortis believed in his own power. He could manipulate others into thinking they were in control when, in fact, he was the one pulling the strings all along.
Ortis’s strategy was a modern take on the classic Survivor villain. In past seasons, villains like Russell Hantz used crude and aggressive tactics to intimidate others.
.Ortis, on the other hand, understood that Survivor had grown. Players could no longer afford to be loud and obnoxious if they wanted to survive.
Ortis used his charm to win people over, but he also knew how to use the camera to his advantage.
He spoke to the audience directly, letting them know just how much better he thought he was than everyone else, while still maintaining his friendly, approachable persona in front of the other players.
This was one of Ortis’s most successful tactics. He kept his worst behavior hidden from his fellow players, knowing that being too obvious about his villainy could make him a target.
Instead, he saved his more cutting words for the camera, where he could reveal his true feelings without putting a target on his back.
This ability to manipulate both the players and the audience made Ortis a unique villain. He wasn’t just playing the game for himself; he was playing the game with a deep understanding of how reality TV works and how to use perception to his advantage.
Still from Survivor 47 (Credit: Paramount+)
The Modern Villain: Ortis’s Strategy
What makes Ortis such a compelling character is the way he has adapted the classic Survivor villain role for the modern era. In previous seasons, villains were often loud, brash, and unapologetic. Ortis, however, is more subtle in his approach.
He knows that in the modern age of Survivor, it’s not enough to simply be a jerk. You have to be strategic, aware of how your actions are perceived by the other players and the audience.
Ortis’s villainy is not about being overtly cruel or arrogant; it’s about playing a careful, strategic game that allows him to manipulate others while keeping them unaware of his true intentions.
This modern villain archetype is what makes Ortis such an interesting character. He is not a one-dimensional bad guy; instead, he is a multifaceted player who understands how to use both charm and ruthlessness to get ahead.
By hiding his true intentions behind a smile, Ortis has been able to build alliances, break them, and manipulate the game without ever fully revealing himself as the villain. It’s a new take on an old formula, and it makes Ortis one of the most dangerous players in the game.
Will Gabe Ortis Win?
As the season continues, it’s clear that Gabe Ortis is playing one of the most intelligent and strategic games of Survivor.
His ability to deceive and manipulate those around him while maintaining a likable persona has made him one of the most compelling characters to watch.
However, the question remains: will he win? Ortis has shown that he is willing to do whatever it takes to get ahead, but whether he can outwit, outplay, and outlast the rest of the contestants remains to be seen.
Ortis has all the makings of a Survivor champion: he’s strategic, manipulative, and willing to make bold moves. If he can continue to stay under the radar while making calculated decisions, he could very well make it to the end and win the title of “Sole Survivor.”
However, the more Ortis plays his villainous game, the more likely it is that the other players will catch on to his tactics. In the end, the key to winning Survivor is not just being a great strategist; it’s also about knowing when to show your cards and when to keep them hidden.
Gabe Ortis is a modern Survivor villain who has adapted the classic villain archetype to the growing game. He is strategic, manipulative, and understands how to use both his charm and his ruthlessness to get ahead.
While his gameplay might not be as overtly aggressive as past villains, Ortis has shown that it is possible to play a subtle, behind-the-scenes villainous game that keeps the audience and the other players guessing.
His ability to deceive and manipulate is what sets him apart, and if he continues to play this way, he could very well win the game.
As the season unfolds, viewers will be watching closely to see how Ortis’s game develops and whether his charm will be enough to carry him to the final tribal council.
Gabe Ortis has demonstrated that the role of a villain in Survivor can be both calculated and subtle, offering a fresh approach to the traditional archetype.
His ability to hide his ruthless gameplay behind a charismatic smile and friendly demeanor sets him apart from past villains who were more overt in their actions.
Still from Survivor 47 (Credit: Paramount+)
Ortis’s gameplay is a mix of modern strategy and classic villainy, where his charm helps him build trust and form powerful alliances, only to betray them when it benefits him.
His confidence in his own abilities, coupled with his strategic manipulation of others, makes him one of the most dangerous players in the game.
However, whether Ortis can maintain his under-the-radar strategy and avoid being targeted remains to be seen. The other players may begin to catch on to his tactics, which could lead to his downfall.
Despite this, Ortis’s understanding of the social dynamics of Survivor and his ability to adapt to the growing nature of the game put him in a strong position to make it to the end.
If he continues to play his cards right, Ortis could very well claim the title of “Sole Survivor,” proving that modern villains have grown into masters of manipulation and strategy.
