Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten on Their 'Annoying’DWTSBond: ‘Have You SeenDumb and Dumber?’ (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten.Photo:Disney/Eric McCandless

Disney/Eric McCandless

Ilona MaherandAlan Berstenare sharing the secrets to their uniqueDancing with the Starsbond.

Speaking exclusively to PEOPLE at the show’s semifinals on Tuesday, Nov. 19, Maher, 28, and Bersten, 30 — who are one offive remaining couplesto have a chance of claiming theLen Goodman Mirrorball Trophy— revealed why they think they’ve created such a close friendship on the show.

“We’re both annoying,” theOlympic bronze medalistjokes about herself and Bersten.

“Our stupidity,” adds the pro dancer, 30. “Have you seenDumb And Dumber?”

“We both don’t shut up. We’re similar,” Maher, 28, continues, “And also, having somebody who doesn’t tell you to ever tone yourself down. If anything, Alan tells me to be funny.”

Bersten jokingly responds, “I saw that on a shirt once!”

Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten perform on the ‘Dancing with the Stars’ semifinals on Nov. 19.Disney/Eric McCandless

Maher added that her pro partner has also been the driving force behind her decision to continue posting online videos about her time on the show..

“He was like, ‘Let’s do it. Let’s get it out there for people,’ says Maher. “I’ve always loved to show my personality online and now I’ve gotten to show his and it’s been really great.”

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Maher now has a combined total of 7.5 million followers between herTikTokandInstagramaccounts, and is regularly praised for her compelling content, which ranges from clever skits to powerful messages about body image.

Whilespeaking to PEOPLEin an October interview, the athlete — who previously praised Bersten forhelping her show her feminine side on the show— spoke about being known as “America’s Sweetheart.”

Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten on the ‘Dancing with the Stars’ semifinals on Nov. 19.Disney/Eric McCandless

Her presence online continues as she and Bersten prepare for next week’sDWTSfinale, in which she’ll star alongside their fellow competing couples:Danny Amendola and Witney Carson,Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson, Chandler Kinney andBrandon ArmstrongandStephen Nedoroscik and Rylee Arnold.

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Despite being left in suspense during Tuesday’s semifinals as Maher and Bersten and Nedoroscik and Arnold were told they were on the chopping block, hostsAlfonso RibeiroandJulianne Hougheventually announced that no one was going home.

The season 33Dancing with the Starsfinale airs on Tuesday, Nov. 26 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

source: people.com