Ilona Maher Gets Emotional About Bullies Calling Her A "Man" In Resurfaced Video

The strong and beautiful rugby player Ilona Maher may be the breakout star of the Olympics, but she's still human.

For years, Maher has gotten cruel comments from online trolls on her appearance. Men have claimed that she is a biological male (she was born female), that she "takes steroids," and is masculine. Now that she's competing in the Olympics, those comments have gotten worse.

In an emotional video that has resurfaced online, the athlete addressed the negative comments and offered wise words to women. Despite the hate, the two-time Olympic rugby star Maher is comfortable in her athletic uniforms and stylish dresses. She is proud of her strong physique (as she should be!).

"As you can probably tell, I've been crying a little bit," Maher says with teary eyes. The video was uploaded to TikTok in 2022 but recently went viral on X/Twitter. "I always get these comments, but like, recently it kind of ramped up. I get comments being called a man and being called masculine and, [people] ask if I'm on steroids."

She continued, "There will always be negative people out there, and they put women in a box, and they think women should be fragile and petite and quiet and meek, but that's not the case."

"Women can be strong, and they can have broad shoulders, and they can take up space, and they can be big. I think I'm getting emotional because I feel very passionate about this. Don't let anybody try to define or dictate how you feel about yourself. You get to decide that," she said.

And Maher told no lies. Women come in different shapes and sizes, and their womanness should not be reduced to their thinness, clothes, or features. Likewise, "femininity" does not equate to dainty women with high heels and short skirts. These are just a microcosm of the boxes women are expected to fit into, and I'm happy that Maher shows us that life doesn't have to be that way.

Luckily, thousands have rallied in support of the rugby star. "Men... I have news for you," wrote @dvorstone on X/Twitter. "1. Feminine looking women, especially small ones, are more prone to being aggressive and domineering. 2. Big, physically strong women, especially athletic ones, are far more prone to being sweet, submissive, and feminine. Look at Serena Williams... NOT on the court but with her husband. Remember Gabrielle Reece? I don't know if it's evolutionary or social but this pattern is definitely noticeable."

"Really appreciate all Ilona Maher has done to stand up for muscular women. So many of us grew up thinking the only way to be pretty was thin," wrote @LVann_Sports.

"The funniest thing about all of this is that Ilona Maher comes across as very feminine and sweet in the way she speaks and holds herself, but these men can’t see that because she’s tall with a chadly jawline, they’re incapable of seeing past the most superficial details," noted @hollowearthterf.

An adorable video of Maher fangirling about a guy she had a crush on also went viral on the platform. "She’s adorable," @BritMartinez tweeted. "I hope she finds a great man and they go on to have strong children."

Maher's uplifting conclusion at the end of her TikTok is something we all need to remember as women. "Keep shining, keep being you. And remember, your body is perfect," she said. "Being small, tall, short, whatever body you're in, that's the body of a woman."

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