Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten Prepare for Disney Night on ‘Dancing with the Stars’

Ilona Maher, the Olympic rugby star, and her dance partner Alan Bersten are gearing up for a memorable performance on the upcoming “Disney Night” episode of ‘Dancing with the Stars‘. Maher and Bersten will be performing a jazz routine to “Surface Pressure” from the animated film ‘Encanto‘.

In preparation for their Disney-themed dance, Maher shared a behind-the-scenes look on her Instagram, showcasing her and Bersten rehearsing their routine. Bersten will take on the role of a donkey, while Maher will embody Luisa from ‘Encanto’. The pair expressed their excitement, with Bersten stating that they are delivering what the audience desires.

Recently, Maher and Bersten also attempted to recreate a viral dance move from Witney Carson and Danny Amendola‘s dedication night dance routine. The move, which involves one dancer pulling their partner off the ground by their ankle, proved to be quite challenging, but the duo managed to have fun with it, bursting into laughter during their attempts.

Maher has been a fan favorite throughout the season, successfully performing various dance styles including cha-cha, salsa, and foxtrot. Her recent rumba performance to “My Way” by Yseult was dedicated to her women’s rugby team, the USA Eagles, who won a bronze medal at the Olympics.

The “Disney Night” episode will also feature team dances, with all competitors split into two groups to perform unique numbers to different Disney tunes. Maher and Bersten are among the contestants looking to make it through another evening of competition.