Ilona Maher, the US women’s center who lit up the Paris Olympics and became the most followed rugby player in the world, was hailed as a “feminist trailblazer” after becoming a Sports Illustrated swimsuit model.
“Ilona Maher gracing the cover of our September digital issue is more than just a celebration of her athletic achievements – it’s a powerful statement,” said MJ Day, editor in chief of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, on Thursday.
“Ilona is a modern-day role model of strength, conviction and authenticity while at the same time displaying the indomitable spirit of an inspirational human. Her ability to break barriers, both on and off the field, resonates deeply with women everywhere.
“Ilona’s presence on our cover symbolizes a shift in the narrative – one that celebrates not only physical prowess but also the courage to lead, inspire and advocate for change. We couldn’t feel more excited and inspired by this revolutionary athlete and feminist trailblazer!”
Maher, whose 6m-plus social media followers have helped her spread a message of body positivity and the hashtag #beastbeautybrains, said: “I love that [rugby] showed me what I can do. It showed me how capable my body is and it’s not just like a tool to be looked at and objectified.”
Now 28, Maher took up rugby in her native Vermont and won three national championships with Quinnipiac University, from Connecticut. She has played sevens for the US Eagles since 2018, going to the Olympic Games in 2021 and 2024. Capped twice at 15-a-side, she recently announced plans to compete for selection for the Rugby World Cup in England next year.
Speaking on TikTok, Maher told followers: “This is rugby 15s, where what you were watching at the Olympics is rugby sevens. But that’s just so cool there’s so many forms of rugby for you to watch.
“I’ll try to be there. I’m going to try to make that team, see if they can use me somewhere on that field.”
Maher was prominent on social media before the Olympics but her performances in Paris – and posts in time away from the field – made as much of an impact as her team’s dramatic run to a bronze medal.
Back in the US, headlines included “Who is Ilona Maher and why is [ex-NFL star] Jason Kelce her superfan?” and “America Has a Breakout Star of the Olympics – and She Plays Like an NFL Running Back”.
Alan Gilpin, chief executive of World Rugby, acknowledged Maher’s star power when he told AFP: “Ilona is without a doubt a superstar of these Games. Full stop. She is rugby’s most followed athlete, has a following that’s greater than most, if not all, of the household names in Paris, and attracted an extra 300,000 Instagram and 100,000 TikTok followers overnight.”
Maher's Rise to Fame
Maher went viral consistently on social media for her TikTok videos and dominated on the field as she helped lead the rugby sevens team to a bronze medal over Australia.
Maher, seemingly comfortable talking about anything, was also ready to make an official presidential endorsement.
“I think it’s going to be cool because there is an opportunity to have female representation and to change this country in a way that I think will benefit us,” she told SI. “… That’s a Kamala Harris endorsement.”
“I have enough money that if I didn’t need an abortion, I could raise a baby myself,” she added.
“If I wanted to get abortion, I could do that. So I have that privilege (but) it scares me about the other girls. I have options and I want to remember that, my followers don’t all have that. And so it’s like for me, but also mostly for them.”
A Shift in the Narrative
Maher's Sports Illustrated cover was widely praised online, as many fans saw it as a step forward for the publication and a representation of body positivity.
“Good for her! She’s a great role model, she has a fantastic personality and she’s tough as nails. This is the type of woman you want to see on these covers!” one comment on Instagram read.
Another commenter agreed, writing, “This is awesome ... but please make sure you include her in the next print issue ... she is so fabulous and deserves a cover on the newsstand!”
Other commenters emphasized Maher’s body type and how seeing someone like her on a magazine cover would inspire young girls and women who may feel like they don’t fit “typical beauty standards.”
“I literally forwarded this to my very athletic granddaughter who thinks she looks too big!?!?!?” one comment began. “I told her, ‘THIS is the beauty you are, look how gorgeous & strong she is, read these comments from people in love with her form.’ She agreed with her grandma….”
Maher spoke about her body during her cover story explaining that she was “called masculine or whatever.” “But I never felt that way. But I don’t think you’re going to bully the girl who could probably beat you up in a rage. I love that [rugby] showed me what I can do. It showed me how capable my body is and it’s not just like a tool to be looked at and objectified.”
Maher added that to be the athlete that she is, her body needs to have different qualifications instead of being lean. “If my cellulite was lower in that perfect range, I wouldn’t be doing what I could do,” she told the outlet.
“I wouldn’t be that powerful for it [so] I just really think sports have been so helpful.”
More Than a Sports Illustrated Cover
Maher is not just a Sports Illustrated cover model. She is a rising star in the rugby world. She has a bright future ahead of her, both on and off the field. Her appearance on the cover of Sports Illustrated is a testament to her athletic achievements and her commitment to body positivity.
She is an inspiration to young athletes and women everywhere. She is showing the world that it is possible to be strong, powerful, and beautiful.
She is a trailblazer for women in sports and a role model for young girls. She is proving that women can do anything they set their minds to. Maher is a force to be reckoned with, both on and off the field.
