Olympian Ilona Maher Responds to 'Bachelorette' Casting Push

Maher says she'd only do the show if her friends were involved

Mar. 24, 2026 at 5:49am

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Ilona Maher, a two-time Olympian, addressed fan calls for her to lead 'The Bachelorette' after Taylor Frankie Paul's season was canceled. Maher said she would only do the show if her friends were involved as executive producers, joking that it would end up looking like an episode of 'The Office'. She explained that her main reason for considering it would be for her 'girls to have fun' watching, rather than actually finding love.

Why it matters

Maher's comments come after ABC decided to cancel the upcoming season of 'The Bachelorette' starring Taylor Frankie Paul, following the release of a video showing Paul involved in a domestic violence incident. Maher's potential casting would generate interest and speculation about the future of the franchise.

The details

While speaking with Entertainment Tonight, Maher admitted she had seen the calls for her to be the next Bachelorette. She said she would only do it if her friends were involved as executive producers, including former Bachelor Joey Graziadei and her 'Dancing With the Stars' partner Alan Bersten. Maher joked that the show would end up looking like an episode of 'The Office' if she was the lead. She explained that her main reason for considering it would be for her 'girls to have fun' watching, rather than actually finding love.

  • Maher's comments were made on Monday evening at the 'Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special' premiere in Los Angeles, California.

The players

Ilona Maher

A two-time Olympian who has seen fan calls for her to lead 'The Bachelorette' after the recent cancellation of the upcoming season.

Joey Graziadei

A former Bachelor who Maher said would have to executive produce if she were to do 'The Bachelorette'.

Alan Bersten

Maher's 'Dancing With the Stars' partner, who she said would also have to executive produce if she were to do 'The Bachelorette'.

Taylor Frankie Paul

The star of the canceled upcoming season of 'The Bachelorette' following the release of a video showing her involved in a domestic violence incident.

Dakota Mortensen

Paul's then-boyfriend, who was involved in the domestic violence incident with Paul that led to the cancellation of her 'Bachelorette' season.

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What they’re saying

“I saw that … It's very sweet. I was talking to [former Bachelor] Joey Graziadei today, the only way I would do it is he would have to executive produce, Alan [Bersten] would have to executive produce, my whole friend [group] would [too]. They'd have to check everybody off.”

— Ilona Maher

“A guy would say something and I would look at the camera like — and it would just be funny.”

— Ilona Maher

“I'd do it mostly for my girls to watch it. That's the only reason. [Finding love] is the main reason. I forgot about that. I'm not trying to humiliate men, but I want my girls to have fun.”

— Ilona Maher

The takeaway

Maher's comments highlight the ongoing interest and speculation around the future of 'The Bachelorette' franchise following the cancellation of the upcoming season starring Taylor Frankie Paul. Maher's potential casting would generate significant buzz, though she made it clear she would only consider it on her own terms with her close friends involved.