When Ilona Maher posted a photo of herself lounging poolside in a cherry red one-piece swimsuit and captioned it simply "Try me," the internet did not hold back. The 5.4-million-follower post racked up waves of comments from fans — and the message was clear: this is what body confidence actually looks like.
The Olympic rugby star, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model, and Dancing with the Stars fan favorite has spent the last year becoming one of the most beloved body-positive voices in sports and pop culture. And her January 2026 Instagram post? Pure proof that 2026 is officially her era.
Photo via The Blast
From Olympic Bronze to SI Swimsuit Icon
If you need a quick refresher on why Ilona Maher is everywhere right now: she's the 6'1" USA Rugby Sevens player who went absolutely viral at the Paris 2024 Olympics for her infectious confidence, brutal power, and willingness to keep it completely real on social media. She helped lead Team USA to its first-ever Olympic bronze medal in rugby sevens — and then turned around and became one of the most talked-about personalities of the Paris Games.
She parlayed that moment into a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit digital cover in fall 2024, becoming the first rugby player to appear on the iconic franchise. From there, she headed to Bermuda for the 2025 SI Swimsuit print issue, rocking a string of animal print bikinis that had fans absolutely floored. And now, in 2026, she's still making waves — both in the pool and on our timelines.
Photo via Sports Illustrated Swimsuit
What She Says About Body Confidence
Maher has never been shy about discussing the ups and downs of body image — even when you have one of the most celebrated athletic physiques in the world. "I get comments, of course, being called masculine, manly. But so many female athletes get that," she's said openly. "I think we have to continuously put positive messages around body image, around body appreciation."
And when she's not feeling it? She says that too. "It's hard to love your body all the time and to think it's just so amazing," she's shared with her followers. That honesty is exactly why she resonates so deeply with an audience that's tired of polished, unrealistic perfection — and why "Try me" hit different coming from someone who genuinely means it.
On the SI Swimsuit runway at Miami Swim Week, Maher strutted in a red patterned string bikini adorned with a belt, brought out her signature finger guns, and later said, "I've never felt as hot as I did that week." Same, honestly.
The Red One-Piece That Broke the Internet (A Little)
Let's go back to the January 2026 photo that started all of this. The cherry red one-piece with its scoop neck and high-leg cut is exactly the kind of swimsuit that looks amazing on a strong, athletic frame — but also happens to be one of the most universally flattering silhouettes around. High-leg cuts elongate the legs, scoop necks balance wider shoulders, and that particular shade of red? It photographs beautifully across all skin tones.
Maher completed the look with oversized red-tinted aviators because of course she did. The whole vibe is "I showed up and now the pool party can start." We're taking notes.
Photo via TODAY
Get the Look: Bold Swimwear Energy Without the SI Swimsuit Price Tag
Ilona Maher's whole aesthetic is fearless. High-impact colors, confident silhouettes, zero apologies. If her 2026 swimwear era is inspiring you to go bolder this spring, here's how to channel that energy for under $60.
The Bow Babe Contrast Top in Black ($24.99) and Bow Babe Contrast Bottoms in Black ($24.99) give you that same high-contrast, bold-statement energy. The contrast white trim mirrors the kind of editorial detail you'd see in a designer SI Swimsuit campaign — and the full set comes in under $50. If you want to go the animal print route (very Bermuda Ilona), the Sky Blue Contrast Bottoms ($24.99) pair beautifully with the black top for a two-tone mix that feels just as intentional.
And if you're wondering how to wear a bold bikini with the same attitude Maher does — not just the right swimwear, but the actual vibe — check out The Sexiest Bikinis for 2026: Bold Styles for Every Body on Everything Swimwear. It covers exactly how to lean into bold silhouettes no matter your size, shape, or starting point.
Why We Love Ilona Maher
In a world of carefully curated, heavily filtered celebrity content, Ilona Maher is just — herself. She'll post a "Try me" pool photo one day and then genuinely admit she's struggling with body confidence the next. She'll walk a Miami runway in an animal print bikini and then go back to knocking people over on a rugby pitch. She's funny, she's strong, she's honest, and she's proving that swimwear confidence isn't about having a certain body type — it's about deciding you're the main character and acting accordingly.
For more athlete-meets-beach energy, check out our coverage of Simone Biles' birthday bikini moment and Brittany Mahomes landing her own SI Swimsuit 2026 cover. Big energy all around.
As for Ilona Maher: she said "Try me." We tried. We are absolutely here for it.
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