Athlete Ilona Maher is definitely flattered that so many folks want her to be the next Bachelorette. She’d be open to doing it for her fans and the girlies, but there would be a lot of stipulations. She knows what she needs to feel comfortable stepping into Bachelor Nation.
“I’ve consulted with the team. And I’ve consulted with Joey Graziadei,” Ilona shared. She met Joey on Season 33 of Dancing with the Stars, and the pair has remained close. She shared that Joey is protective of her and she trusts him.
The Olympian is “not fully ruling out” the opportunity
“There are a lot of things that would have to change for me to be the Bachelorette,” Ilona admitted to OK Magazine. “Joey would have to executive produce. All of my friends would have to be involved.”
That makes sense. The rugby player would want to surround herself with people she can trust and people who know are looking out for her best interests. Like in DWTS, she only has good things to say about the folks she was with, and it looks like she’s looking for that same safety net if she ever accepts the Bachelorette.
And it’s not just Ilona that the bachelor franchise is scouting from DWTS. They’re also hoping to seal the deal with another fan favorite and the DWTS champion of Season 34, Robert Irwin. They are hoping to make him the next Bachelor. Now that would be a casting coup.
Everyone knows the Bachelorette needs some goodwill from the fans. Ever since the scandal surrounding Taylor Frankie Paul’s canceled season, fans have brought up Ilona because of her authenticity. Her stepping into the Bachelorette’s shoes would definitely bring a positive spin to the franchise.
“I love my girls, and they want me to find love so bad,” Ilona says of her loyal fans. “I would do it for your guys to watch. That’s the only reason. I don’t even know if I’d find love, but it would be funny to watch me. I’m not fully ruling it out.”
For now, Ilona is focusing on training ahead of the 2028 Olympics.
The Bachelorette is streaming on Hulu and Disney+.
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