NEED TO KNOW
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Ilona Maher said she was on her period while walking in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit show in Miami on May 31
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The rugby star joked that “men think they are tough but they’ll never do” what she did on the runway
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Jena Sims revealed in the comments that she was also on her period during the show
Ilona Maher’s bravery knows no bounds.
After Maher rocked the runway in teeny bikinis at Sports Illustrated Swimsuit‘s Miami Swim Week show on Saturday, May 31, the Olympian revealed she did it all while on her period.
In an Instagram Reel shared on June 3, the rugby star danced to Donny Osmond’s “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” from the movie Mulan. “Men think they are tough but they’ll never do Miami Swim Week wearing only bikinis while on their period like I did,” Maher, wearing an all-white outfit with red lipstick, wrote in text over the video.
She captioned the post, “I applaud myself.”
Fans were impressed by the DWTS alumna’s ability to overcome common symptoms like bloating and acne flare-ups, not to mention keeping everything intact on the runway. “That’s terrifying and wildly impressive,” one comment read. “Whatever period product you used should pay you for incredible advertising,” a fan suggested.
Ivan Apfel/Getty
Ilona Maher walks at the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Runway Show on May 31 in Miami Beach, Fla.
Another user wrote, “You were on your period!! So stunning and also wow. Guys will never understand just how seriously impressive that is.” One fan joked, “meanwhile i’m over here on my period dressed like adam sandler.”
Even Maher’s US rugby sevens teammate Spiff Sedrick chimed in, writing, “The bravery 😭.”
Popular YouTubers Brooklyn and Bailey wrote, “This is badass behavior.”
At least one other Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model could relate to the Olympic medalist. Jena Sims, who walked with Maher alongside other stars like Jordan Chiles, Stassi Scroeder, Remi Bader and Livvy Dunne, commented, “Oh same!! Synced up 😍😂,” on Maher’s post.
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A post shared by Ilona Maher (@ilonamaher)
After walking the runway, Maher shared a Reel with the caption, “I have a lot of sides.” The video began with slow-motion footage of her competing in a rugby match and cut to her on the runway in a western-inspired look. She confidently posed on the catwalk before she playfully tucked a finger gun into a belt she wore over her bikini.
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In another Reel shared on May 31, she posted a video of herself working out with a resistance band and wrote, “Prepping to be the buffest SI Swimsuit model.”
She also bonded with former reality star Bethenny Frankel, who also walked the runway in Miami. The unlikely duo thrilled fans when they posted a fun video of Frankel, 54, pushing Maher out of the frame and doing a voiceover of the popular audio of Kim Kardashian saying, “Wait hold on I’m going to get a solo shot.”
“POV: you’re an Olympian in your own mind,” Frankel wrote over the video.
Read the original article on People
