Olympian Ilona Maher Doesn't Sweat Cellulite On Her Legs: 'It Is Completely Normal'
Ilona Maher built a massive following during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (held in 2021 due to COVID-19), not just with her athleticism, but with the funny TikTok videos that gave fans a rare glimpse of the Olympic Village. However, beyond the humor, Maher has used her platform to challenge unrealistic beauty standards — especially when it comes to women's bodies. In 2023, the rugby player posted a TikTok video pointing out the visible cellulite on her legs. "I am a literal Olympian. I am a professional athlete. I run all day long. I lift weights all day long, constantly, and that is what my legs still look like. I have cellulite everywhere. It is completely normal, completely natural," she explained.
Fans praised the athlete for her transparency and confidence, as cellulite is often framed as a flaw to be eliminated. But what you really need to know about cellulite, is that it's a harmless buildup of subcutaneous fat deposits that causes the skin to appear lumpy or dimpled. It's not an indication of being overweight, but rather a condition influenced by genetics and body type. The pressure to eliminate cellulite has fueled a booming beauty industry built on promises of smoother skin, and there are countless procedures and cellulite removal creams that don't really work.
Ilona Maher was a champion for body positivity on Dancing With the Stars
It's been inspiring to watch the complete transformation of Ilona Maher over the years, because one thing that never changes is her confidence and commitment to advocating for all body types. She competed on Season 33 of "Dancing With the Stars," where week after week she used fun tricks, like lifting her partner Alan Bersten, to upended stereotypes about women's strength. During week 4, Maher performed a rumba dedicated to her Olympic teammates and explicitly asked the wardrobe department to craft a costume that wasn't as covered up as her other outfits.
"This week I went to costume design and told them, 'Look, I want to be naked. I want to be as naked as is allowed on television,'" she said in a TikTok. "All these other girls are showing skin, I'm showing pretty much everything." Throughout the rest of the season, Maher continued to be a role model, portraying Luisa Madrigal from "Encanto," a character whose magical gift is super strength. The Olympian showed viewers, especially young ones, just how powerful they're capable of being.
Maher has built a reputation as someone who's not content to go along with harmful and arbitrary beauty standards, and she's constantly resisting the pressure to "fix" something completely normal, like cellulite. The athlete continues to highlight the disconnect between society's expectations and reality, serving as a reminder that health and confidence are not defined by perfectly smooth skin.