Olympic bronze medalist Ilona Maher has captured hearts worldwide, not just with her powerful rugby performances and infectious personality, but also with her refreshingly honest approach to dating and relationships. The 28-year-old Vermont native, who recently finished as runner-up on Dancing With The Stars season 33, has become a social media sensation with over four million Instagram followers, making her the most followed rugby player globally. But despite her rising fame and numerous admirers, the question on everyone’s mind remains: Is Ilona Maher married?
The short answer is no – Ilona Maher is currently single and has never been married. However, her journey through the spotlight has been filled with dating rumors, particularly with her Dancing With The Stars partner Alan Bersten, and candid discussions about her search for love. From her viral TikTok videos during the Olympics to her recent appearances on national television, Maher has been refreshingly open about the challenges of dating as a successful athlete in the public eye.
Born on August 12, 1996, in Burlington, Vermont, Maher has built an impressive career that includes two Olympic appearances, a bronze medal from the 2024 Paris Olympics, and three National Intercollegiate Rugby Association championships during her time at Quinnipiac University. Her authenticity and body positivity advocacy have made her a role model for young women everywhere, while her humor and relatability have endeared her to fans across all demographics.
Current Relationship Status: Single and Searching
Ilona Maher (Image via Getty)
As of 2025, Ilona Maher remains unmarried and single, though she’s been quite vocal about her dating experiences and desires. The rugby star has maintained transparency about her relationship status throughout her rise to fame, often sharing humorous takes on modern dating through her social media platforms.
Maher has expressed openness to using dating apps and frequently jokes about potential suitors sliding into her DMs. She’s looking for someone who can match her wit and feel secure enough to handle her success – a tall order given her rapidly expanding career and public profile. The athlete has admitted that her busy schedule makes dating challenging, often leaving her too exhausted after training and appearances to pursue romantic connections.
During a recent interview, Maher humorously described a moment when she considered going out to meet people after Dancing With The Stars rehearsal, only to lose interest minutes later due to fatigue. This honest portrayal of the difficulties faced by high-achieving athletes in maintaining personal relationships has resonated with many fans who appreciate her authenticity.
The Alan Bersten Dating Rumors: Just Best Friends
One of the most persistent rumors surrounding Maher’s love life involves her Dancing With The Stars partner, Alan Bersten. Their undeniable chemistry on the dance floor and close friendship sparked widespread speculation among fans who began “shipping” the pair throughout season 33.
When directly asked about the dating rumors during an interview with E! News, Maher addressed the speculation with characteristic humor and honesty. “Yeah, we see, we see it all over. And honestly, keep doing it, people. We love it. I think honestly, if ship means relationship, we are, we are the besties. We love it,” she explained. The rugby star emphasized that while she genuinely loves Alan as a teammate and friend, their relationship remains purely platonic.
Bersten, a professional Latin and ballroom dancer who won season 28 with Hannah Brown, has been equally playful about the rumors while maintaining that their partnership is professional. Both dancers have enjoyed the fan attention and speculation, with Maher noting that she loves all her teammates and appreciates the special bond they’ve built through their Dancing With The Stars journey.
Past Relationships and Dating History
Ilona Maher (Image via Getty)
Maher has been notably private about her past romantic relationships, with no confirmed previous boyfriends or significant others in the public record. This privacy extends to her social media presence, where she focuses primarily on her athletic career, body positivity advocacy, and humorous content rather than romantic partnerships.
The athlete has occasionally made playful references to having a “husband” on TikTok, but these appear to be jokes rather than genuine relationship reveals. In one viral video, when asked about her husband by a commenter, Maher seemed to be teasing her audience rather than making any serious romantic announcement.
Her approach to keeping her personal life private while being open about her dating struggles has struck a balance that many public figures struggle to achieve. This strategy has allowed her to maintain authenticity while protecting any potential romantic interests from unwanted public scrutiny.
Olympic Village Dating Adventures
Maher gained significant attention during both the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and 2024 Paris Olympics for her humorous social media content, including her attempts at finding romance in the Olympic Village. Her TikTok videos showcasing her dating efforts during the Tokyo Olympics went viral, endearing her to millions of followers who appreciated her relatable approach to love and relationships.
These videos, which often featured her discussing the challenges of meeting people while competing at the highest level of international sport, helped establish her as a social media personality beyond her athletic achievements. The content demonstrated her ability to find humor in everyday situations, even while representing her country on the world’s biggest sporting stage.
Her Olympic dating content also highlighted the unique challenges faced by elite athletes in forming romantic connections, particularly during intense competition periods when focus must remain on performance rather than personal relationships.
Future Relationship Goals and Aspirations
Ilona Maher (Image via Getty)
Looking ahead, Maher has expressed optimism about her romantic future while acknowledging the current challenges. She’s mentioned interest in potentially becoming the next Bachelorette, though this appears to be more of a humorous suggestion than a serious career consideration.
The athlete has been clear about what she’s looking for in a partner: someone who can appreciate her success, match her intelligence and humor, and feel secure in a relationship with a high-profile athlete. She’s also emphasized the importance of finding someone who understands the demands of her career and can support her ambitious goals.
Maher’s recent signing with Bristol Bears in England’s Premiership Women’s Rugby league represents another significant step in her career, potentially opening new opportunities for both professional growth and personal connections. Her three-month contract, which began in January 2025, demonstrates her continued commitment to rugby excellence while expanding her international presence.
Body Positivity and Self-Love Journey
Central to understanding Maher’s approach to relationships is her advocacy for body positivity and self-acceptance. The 5’10”, 198-pound athlete has been vocal about challenging traditional beauty standards and encouraging young women to embrace their strength and athleticism.
Her Dancing With The Stars journey particularly emphasized this message, as she spoke about feeling both “big and muscular” while also “beautiful and feminine”. This perspective has influenced her approach to dating, as she seeks partners who can appreciate and celebrate her athletic build and achievements rather than expecting her to conform to conventional expectations.
Maher’s confidence and self-acceptance have become integral parts of her public persona, inspiring countless followers to embrace their own unique qualities while pursuing their goals and relationships.
The world of K-pop is no stranger to speculation about its stars’ personal lives, and Felix from Stray Kids has recently found himself at the center of swirling marriage and relationship rumors. As one of the most beloved members of the globally successful boy group, Felix’s private life has become a topic of intense fascination among fans and media outlets alike. The Australian-born idol, known for his distinctive deep voice and charming personality, has maintained a careful balance between his public persona and personal privacy throughout his career.
Recent months have seen an explosion of rumors suggesting that Felix might be getting married or is already in a serious relationship. These speculations have been fueled by various social media posts, alleged sightings, and cryptic statements that fans have interpreted as potential hints about his romantic status. From mysterious ring sightings to supposed leaked dating schedules, the internet has been buzzing with theories about Felix’s love life. However, separating fact from fiction in K-pop rumors requires careful examination of credible sources versus speculative content.
The intensity of these rumors reflects the broader phenomenon of how K-pop fans engage with their idols’ personal lives, often reading deep meaning into every gesture, post, or statement. For Felix, who has always been particularly private about his personal relationships, this scrutiny represents both the price of fame and the challenge of maintaining boundaries in an industry where personal and professional lives often blur together.
Current Marriage Status: Setting the Record Straight
Felix (Image via Getty)
As of June 2025, Felix from Stray Kids is not married . Despite numerous rumors and speculative reports circulating on social media platforms and YouTube channels, there is no credible evidence or official confirmation from JYP Entertainment regarding Felix’s marital status. The rumors that surfaced in early 2025 suggesting Felix was “getting married soon” appear to be unfounded speculation rather than factual reporting.
The marriage rumors gained traction when fans noticed Felix wearing a ring on his ring finger in certain photos, leading to widespread speculation about a potential engagement. However, wearing rings on various fingers is common among K-pop idols as part of their fashion choices and does not necessarily indicate romantic commitment. Additionally, an alleged ambiguous post from a JYP Entertainment staff member mentioning “happy surprises” was quickly deleted and never officially verified.
JYP Entertainment, Felix’s management company, has not issued any official statements regarding these marriage rumors, which is typical when dealing with unsubstantiated speculation. The company generally maintains a policy of not commenting on artists’ personal lives unless there are official announcements to be made.
Relationship Rumors and Speculation
The speculation surrounding Felix’s romantic life extends beyond marriage rumors to include various theories about potential relationships. Some fans have theorized about connections with fellow group members, particularly Bang Chan, based on their close friendship and frequent interactions. However, these theories appear to be based on fan interpretation of their professional and personal friendship rather than any concrete evidence of romantic involvement.
Other rumors have suggested Felix might be in a relationship with someone outside the entertainment industry, possibly a childhood friend from his time in Australia. These speculations often reference Felix’s previous interviews, where he mentioned maintaining connections with people from his past who knew him before his idol career began.
Recent reports have also circulated about Felix being spotted with an unidentified woman, with photos allegedly showing them enjoying time together. However, these reports lack verification and could easily be misidentified encounters or manipulated content, which is unfortunately common in celebrity gossip.
Felix’s Approach to Privacy
Felix (Image via Getty)
Felix has consistently demonstrated a mature and thoughtful approach to maintaining his privacy while remaining connected with his fans. In 2022, when he visited Australia for the first time in years, Felix expressed genuine gratitude to fans who respected his personal space and allowed him to spend quality time with his family. His heartfelt message on Instagram thanked STAYs for “giving me the personal space that my family and I needed” and for “always respecting and being mindful to keep my life as private as possible.”
This incident highlights Felix’s appreciation for fans who understand the importance of boundaries between public and private life. His approach suggests that while he values his relationship with fans, he also recognizes the need to protect certain aspects of his personal life from public scrutiny.
The idol has rarely discussed his romantic life in interviews, preferring to focus on his career, music, and general life experiences. When he does mention relationships, it’s typically in the context of friendships, family bonds, or his relationship with his fellow Stray Kids members and fans.
The Impact of Social Media and Fan Culture
The proliferation of rumors about Felix’s personal life reflects the broader impact of social media on K-pop fan culture. Platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram have created spaces where speculation can quickly spread and gain momentum, often without proper fact-checking or verification. Content creators frequently produce videos with sensationalized titles about idol relationships, contributing to the spread of unverified information.
Fan theories and shipping culture within the K-pop community also play a significant role in generating relationship rumors. Fans often analyze every interaction, gesture, or statement for potential romantic implications, sometimes creating elaborate theories based on minimal evidence. While this engagement demonstrates the passionate dedication of the fanbase, it can also lead to the spread of misinformation.
The challenge for both idols and fans lies in this while maintaining healthy boundaries and realistic expectations about privacy and personal relationships.
Official Statements and Industry Context
Felix (Image via Getty)
Throughout his career, Felix has not made any official statements confirming romantic relationships or marriage plans. This silence is consistent with industry norms, where K-pop idols typically keep their personal relationships private, especially during the early years of their careers. The K-pop industry has historically maintained certain expectations about idol availability and image, though these attitudes have been gradually evolving.
Stray Kids, as a group, has generally focused their public communications on their music, performances, and group dynamics rather than individual members’ personal lives. This professional approach has allowed them to maintain their artistic focus while building a strong fan base based on their musical talents and group chemistry.
When addressing fan curiosity about relationships, Felix and his fellow members have typically emphasized their commitment to their music and their appreciation for fan support, without going into specific details about their personal romantic lives.
Respecting Privacy While Staying Informed
The question of whether Felix from Stray Kids is married can be definitively answered: he is not married as of June 2025. The various rumors and speculations circulating online lack credible verification and appear to be products of fan speculation rather than factual reporting. While Felix’s private life naturally generates curiosity among fans, it’s important to distinguish between verified information and unsubstantiated rumors.
Felix’s approach to privacy serves as a model for maintaining healthy boundaries in the public eye. His appreciation for fans who respect his personal space demonstrates the positive impact that thoughtful fan behavior can have on an idol’s well-being. As Felix continues his successful career with Stray Kids, fans can best support him by focusing on his artistic achievements while respecting his right to privacy in personal matters.
The ongoing speculation about Felix’s romantic life ultimately reflects the intense interest and affection that fans have for the idol. However, true support means allowing him the space to navigate his personal relationships away from public scrutiny, while continuing to celebrate his contributions to music and entertainment.
