Ilona Maher, a U.S. women’s rugby team member, has gained immense popularity on TikTok with over 1.6 million followers for her humorous behind-the-scenes Olympic videos. She first captured attention during the Tokyo Olympics with candid, often awkward moments, and has now returned to share her experiences at the Paris Olympics.

Maher, who also boasts 1.5 million Instagram followers, has showcased her appreciation for handball, shared her clumsy flirting attempts, and highlighted her opening ceremony outfit. She even featured former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce in a video where he expressed his love for women’s rugby. Maher believes her online presence brings attention to her sport, stating, “I knew that if I kept this up, got people watching me on TikTok, they’d also tune in to my sport.”

Ilona Maher of the U.S. is chased by Sakura Mizutani of Team Japan at Stade de France on Sunday in Paris.

During the Tokyo Olympics, Maher entertained millions by testing the athletes’ cardboard beds with yoga, burpees, and playful antics like giving birth to a teammate. Her relatable content, including her struggles with small talk and flirtation, along with her excitement over Olympic Village cuisine, endeared her to viewers. Fans often credited her with “carrying” Olympic TikTok, sparking new interest in women’s rugby.

@ilonamaher We got Jason Kelce @Team USA @paris2024 @Olympics @USA Rugby #jasonkelce ♬ original sound – Ilona Maher

Maher, who started playing rugby in high school and continued at Quinnipiac University, joined USA Rugby after graduating with a nursing degree in 2018. Besides her athletic achievements, she promotes body acceptance and challenges negative stereotypes about muscular women. In a tearful 2022 video, she emphasized, “Women can be strong, and they can have broad shoulders and they can take up space.”

Continuing her advocacy in the Olympic Village, Maher shares reminders about the diversity of body types among Olympians and discusses her nutrition. She also addressed misconceptions about body mass index, proudly stating, “I am considered overweight… But alas, I’m going to the Olympics and you’re not” in a video replying to an Instagram comment.