US Olympians Ilona Maher, Stephen Nedoroscik shine in Dancing with the Stars finale

Fresh off of their recent Olympic successes at Paris 2024, Olympic bronze medallists Ilona Maher and Stephen Nedoroscik traded their Team USA uniforms for dance shoes and flowing costumes, jiving, waltzing, and kick-ball-changing their way to the Dancing with the Stars Season 33 finale—and they did not disappoint.

In the finale, rugby star and social media phenomenon Maher lit up the stage alongside pro partner Alan Bersten with a fiery freestyle to “Femininomenon.” Her energy, charisma, and signature humor shone as brightly as her sequins, carrying her to a runner-up finish in the season finale. Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson won the finale to take home the coveted Mirrorball trophy.

Meanwhile, Nedoroscik, Team USA’s pommel horse virtuoso, wowed audiences with a moving and gymnastics-inspired freestyle to Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida," earning them a perfect score to finish fourth in the series finale. Paired with Rylee Arnold, his redemption quickstep to “I’ll Be There for You” ended the season on a friendly note while showcasing ballroom class.

The finale also featured stunning performances by the pros, celebrity reunions, and special appearances from reigning champions Xochitl Gomez and Val Chmerkovskiy. Highlights included Derek Hough and Mark Ballas’ tango duet and the high-energy DWTS LIVE 2025 Tour preview.

As the Olympic and ballroom seasons come to a close, the world waits to see what Ilona and Stephen will do next. Maybe a cha-cha in the next big competition, or perhaps some well-deserved rest. With these two, anything is possible.