{"id":166588,"date":"2025-09-24T20:34:07","date_gmt":"2025-09-24T20:34:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/166588\/"},"modified":"2025-09-24T20:34:07","modified_gmt":"2025-09-24T20:34:07","slug":"how-ilona-maher-is-supporting-alan-bersten-on-dancing-with-the-stars","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/166588\/","title":{"rendered":"How Ilona Maher Is Supporting Alan Bersten on Dancing With the Stars"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dancing With the Stars<\/a> alum Ilona Maher<\/a> is still cheering for her former partner, Alan Bersten<\/a>, as he takes on the competition with Elaine Hendrix<\/a> on season 34.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe FaceTimed a little bit last week,\u201d Bersten, 31, exclusively told Us Weekly following their performance on the Tuesday, September 23, episode of the ABC hit. \u201cShe\u2019s in England [right now], so the hours are hard. But Ilona is so supportive, and I love that she\u2019s supporting our new partnership.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bersten went on to tease, \u201cShe\u2019s going to come visit us soon, hopefully.\u201d<\/p>\n

Maher, 29, made her support clear via her Instagram Story on Tuesday, encouraging her followers to vote for Bersten and Hendrix, 54. The duo performed a high-energy jive to \u201cHey Mickey\u201d by Toni Basil in honor of One-Hit Wonders Night<\/a>, earning 21 points out of 30.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a dream come true,\u201d Hendrix told Us of channeling the classic music video with cheerleader costumes. \u201cWhen I knew what the theme of the night was, there was only one song that I wanted to do, and I wanted the whole package. I wanted to meet Toni. I wanted the costumes and everything, and they made it happen. So for me, it was legit. It was just a dream come true.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"AlanChristopher Polk\/Penske Media via Getty Images<\/p>\n

With no elimination during last week\u2019s premiere, two couples were sent home<\/a> on Tuesday night. Fans said goodbye to Baron Davis and Britt Stewart as well as Corey Feldman and Jenna Johnson.<\/p>\n

\u201cI gotta be honest, I don\u2019t like that part,\u201d Hendrix told Us of the elimination process. \u201cI don\u2019t know. Obviously, I don\u2019t have anything to compare this to, but I feel like a piece of me was taken away tonight because we all got really close, really fast. So going to the rehearsal halls, it\u2019s going to be different. \u2026 And that starts the cycle. It\u2019s going to happen every week. And so, I don\u2019t know. I don\u2019t know how I\u2019m going to deal with it.\u201d<\/p>\n

While Hendrix is still adjusting, Bersten is no stranger to the competition. He\u2019s been a mainstay in the DWTS ballroom since season 25 aired in 2017, winning the mirrorball trophy<\/a> with Hannah Brown during season 28 in 2019. Bersten and Maher came close to victory<\/a> during season 33 last year, finishing in second place behind Johnson, 31, and Joey Graziadei.<\/p>\n

Following their impressive jive, Bersten and Hendrix are gearing up for TikTok Night on September 30.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur biggest goal, I think, is going to be [staying] consistent,\u201d Bersten told Us on Tuesday. \u201cIt\u2019s going to be going out there and just having fun on the floor. And surprising people.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bersten showered his partner with praise on Wednesday, September 24, sharing a clip of their One-Hit Wonders Night routine via Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m just blown away at how incredible @elaine4animals is!\u201d he wrote. \u201cEvery day she puts in so much work, every performance, is full of heart and soul. I can\u2019t thank you enough for trusting me! I am so proud of you! Last night was unbelievable! You did that!!!!!\u201d<\/p>\n

\t\tThank You!<\/p>\n

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Maher also chimed in with her support in the comments section, adding, \u201cThis was good.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dancing With the Stars airs on ABC and Disney+ Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET.<\/p>\n

Prove your DWTS fandom with Us Weekly and Bracketology.tv<\/a>! Compete against other fans and Us editors in the Bracketology DWTS fantasy league<\/a> this season to predict which pairs will make it to the finale for season 34. Get access to exclusive content, stats and a chance to win prizes. Join the league for free<\/a> today!<\/p>\n

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