Ilona Maher thrilled fans with her fun freestyle dance routine during the season 33 finale of Dancing With The Stars on Tuesday.

The rugby player, 28, stripped off her tracksuit to unveil a racy sparkly costume and earned the perfect 10 score for her energetic routine.

However, despite wowing the judges and fans alike, Ilona and her partner Alan Bersten finished in second place, with Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson taking home the Mirrorball Trophy. 

The Olympic bronze medal winner started off the performance in a ruby locker room, wearing a black tracksuit. 

After making it to the ballroom, a number of female dancers helped rip off the tracksuit, revealing a sizzling silver bodysuit underneath. 

The 5-foot-10 athlete left fans in ‘tears’ over her dance routine. 

Ilona Maher thrilled fans with her fun freestyle dance routine during the season 33 finale of Dancing With The Stars on Tuesday

The rugby player, 28, stripped off her tracksuit to unveil a racy sparkly costume and earned the perfect 10 score for her energetic routine

ilona maher really is THAT GIRL 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 #DWTS #DWTSFinale pic.twitter.com/Bgh655H2Y1

— lauren✨ (@timelessfolklre) November 27, 2024

The performance wowed the judges, with Bruno Tonioli telling Ilona, ‘Look at me, Ilona. You have become a true leading lady. Well in control. Holding the center of attention between these amazing dancers. You were always the girl on top. You’re shining brighter than ever.’ 

Carrie Ann also poured praise of Ilona, telling her: ‘My mind is blown, blown, blown.’

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‘You are all that and then some. Look. This is the freestyle moment. It’s all about the impact you leave. You leave me feeling so empowered. That’s the magic of dance. Thank you for doing that.’ 

Derek added, ‘You know, when you first started, I saw a spark of potential. But tonight, you are burning bright, flame my love.’

‘Fantastic freestyle. Your humor at the beginning. Everything about it, I love so much. Congratulations. Well done.’ 

Dancing With the Stars closed out its 33rd season with a super-sized finale on Tuesday spanning a whopping three hours long.

Fans were stunned last week when none of the top five contestants – Ilona, Chandler Kinney, Danny Amendola, Joey Graziadei and Stephen Nedoroscik – were eliminated.

The finale will also featured special performances from Mark Ballas and Derek Hough along with the stars’ final performances.

Following her dance routine, fans took to social media to praise the star. 

‘Alan and Ilona crying makes ME CRY,’ one wrote. 

‘ILONAS FIRST PERFECT SCORE!! SHE DESERVED,’ another added.

The 5-foot-10 athlete left fans in ‘tears’ over her dance routine

The performance wowed the judges

She earned the perfect 10 score for her energetic routine

Her partner later helped her put on a skirt

She started out the performance in a black tracksuit 

The 5-foot-10 athlete left fans in ‘tears’ over her dance routine

Many also expressed disappointment that she didn’t win 

Earlier in the night she was pictured dancing in a gold fringe number

Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson took home the Mirrorball Trophy

Ilona and Alan were seen awaiting their results 

For her final look she wowed in a skinтιԍнт black gown

‘The outfit reveal, the song choice, the choreo, EVERYTHING. Please god be a perfect score.’ 

YESSSS ILONA THAT BROUGHT ME TO TEARS YOU DID CHAPPELL PROUD AMAZING ALL 10s!!!! #DWTSFinale #DWTS

‘so we are all already crying before ilona’s dance right??’

Ilona got a little emotional as the finale of the latest season neared.

She took to Instagram and shared clips from her journey on the ABC dancing combination, adding a touching note to each clip.

‘Dear Alan, no matter what happens, whether we win or lose, I will forever cherish our time together,’ Maher wrote on behind-the-scenes action from their journey on DWTS.

‘I didn’t come onto this show thinking I’d make a connection like this. You are the best dance partner I could have hoped for.

‘We laughed. We cried. We gave it our all. It was not always easy (Actually, it rarely was), but it was so worth it,’ Maher added.

The dancing duo developed a deep bond and friendship during their months together on the show and she made sure to express how much that has meant to her.

Ilona got a little emotional as the finale of the latest season neared, taking to Instagram and sharing clips from her journey on the ABC dancing combination

Maher was part of the American rugby team that earned a bronze medal at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, and she was also a Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue cover model; seen in Paris in July

‘It will be strange not to see you every day. Just know… You always made me feel beautiful, powerful and worthy out there.

‘You have truly changed me for the better. I hope to find a forever partner in you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for everything,’ she wrote.

As the video concluded, Ilona shared one last sentiment and through in a cheeky jab at Bernstein.

‘With so much love, Ilona (your DWTS Season 33 partner in case you ever forget).’

Maher was part of the American rugby team that earned a bronze medal at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, and she was also a Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue cover model.

She became a social media darling during the Games for promoting body positivity.