From Paris 2024 and the SI Swimsuit cover to “Dancing with the Stars” and a contract with the Bristol Bears, Ilona Maher’s life has changed dramatically in less than a year. She tells CNN how it feels to become “America’s sweetheart.

Ilona Maher, an Olympic rugby player, has recently sparked controversy following her interview with CNN's Christina Macfarlane. When Maher denied experiencing imposter syndrome, Macfarlane persisted in questioning her,

You automatically assume I must not feel that I am deserving of where I’m at? ... You think they’re asking NFL players, male politicians if they have imposter syndrome?’

Olympian Ilona Maher is nursing a brutal injury following a violent collision in a recent Bristol Bears rugby match. Maher, 28, shared an update via Instagram on Saturday, January 18, writing, "When people keep asking me if I'm OK but I just broke my nose.

The USA Eagles player is also not worried about a potential U.S. ban on TikTok, a platform she has amassed over three million followers on.

Interviewer asks Ilona Maher how she deals with imposter syndrome. Source: CNN

Fans have come to the defense of Team USA rugby fan favorite Ilona Maher on social media following an awkward exchange during an interview with a CNN anchor.

"It's OK to believe you deserve something because you put in the work for it," Ilona Maher said in the viral clip.