Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Ilona Maher Tells Trolls She Won’t Hide Their Names After Viral Body-Shaming Clapback

The rugby Olympian is turning online insults into content to push body acceptance.

Overview

  • Maher posted on Instagram on Jan. 12 that she welcomes “dumb comments,” saying they give her content and that she will no longer blur critics’ names.
  • Her message followed a Jan. 10 video responding to a man who said she looked “pregnant” in a form-fitting dress, which she used to affirm that her body is normal.
  • In the earlier clip, she emphasized that she is a professional athlete and told the critic to stop making “the dumbest stuff” comments.
  • People reports the Jan. 10 video had been viewed more than 15.1 million times as of Jan. 13, reflecting broad engagement with her response.
  • Fans and public figures, including DWTS pro Daniella Karagach and former contestant Brooks Nader, publicly supported her, and coverage noted her ongoing body-positivity stance as a two-time Olympian and 2024 bronze medalist.