Ilona Maher Shrugs Off ‘Tough’ Sports Illustrated Cover Questions
Oh, brilliant. Because the only thing more grueling than tackling defenders on the rugby pitch is apparently standing still in a swimsuit. Olympic rugby sevens standout Ilona Maher just set the record straight when fans and reporters wondered if her new Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover was, you know, “tough.” Spoiler alert: it wasn’t. In a recent Instagram Q&A, Maher laughed off the notion that striking a pose for SI required any Herculean effort, explaining that hair, makeup, and a beach backdrop hardly qualify as hardship. “You show up in a bathing suit, you have a great team around you, and you do your job,” she quipped, per People Magazine. “If my job was that, I’d sign up every day.”
Let’s break down the basics she had to spoon‑feed us: Ilona Maher is not a professional model; she’s a decorated athlete on the U.S. women’s rugby sevens team. Yet on May 10, 2023, she landed the cover of SI’s hottest annual edition—and naturally, some folks assumed she endured unimaginable agony to look good. Maher’s response? A perfectly timed eye roll and zero dramatics. As reported by Sports Illustrated’s official release, she even compared the photo day to any other team event—minus the contact scrums and muscle soreness. “I told you so,” seems to be her subtext.
Sure, posing for a glossy mag takes preparation—styling calls, photo direction, maybe a bit of pre-shoot pilates—but let’s not pretend it rivals full‑contact training. Maher also pointed out that sharing her cover moment felt like celebrating a win. She’s proud to represent women in sports, boost visibility for rugby, and inspire those who think athleticism and modeling can’t coexist. For every critic who balks at a swimsuit shoot, Maher has a comeback ready: sports science says confidence and self‑image are built by stepping outside comfort zones, not complaining about sunshine and sand.
Granted, some athletes confess to nerves before the flashbulbs pop—there’s a vulnerability in being photographed in swimwear. But Maher’s only vulnerability was to bad takes. She reminded everyone that the real “tough” gig involves early‑morning practices, grueling tournaments, and constant physical upkeep—not standing still for a camera on a beautiful beach. She even tagged fellow athletes featured alongside her, giving credit to the entire crew that turns a simple photo session into a celebration of strength and style.
Did anyone expect a different outcome? No? Thought so. If you’re still hung up on the alleged hardship of an SI shoot, Maher’s repudiation should settle it once and for all. And that, dear reader, is why we can’t have nice things.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and People Magazine, Sports Illustrated
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
