Ilona Maher, an Olympic rugby player, has recently sparked controversy following her interview with CNN’s Christina Macfarlane. When Maher denied experiencing imposter syndrome, Macfarlane persisted in questioning her, which raised eyebrows. This conversation quickly sparked a debate online.
In this article, we will delve into the details of the CNN interview along with the reason behind the backlash.
What happened to Ilona Maher in CNN interview?
During a recent interview with CNN, Olympic rugby star Ilona Maher was repeatedly asked about imposter syndrome, sparking controversy online. Maher was asked how she “overcomes imposter syndrome” by anchor Christina Macfarlane. However, Maher confidently stated, “I don’t have that,” explaining she didn’t feel like she was undeserving of her success. Surprised, Macfarlane asked Maher to elaborate, pressing, “How is that possible? I feel like imposter syndrome ruins my life sometimes.” But Maher stood her ground, stating that her hard work in rugby, dating back to high school and college, made her feel deserving of her achievements.
Maher, who represented the U.S. Women’s Rugby team at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, emphasized the hard work she put in off the field as well. The rugby star noted her consistent social media presence and engagement with fans. Despite her firm stance, Macfarlane continued to push the topic. Maher responded by encouraging individuals to acknowledge their hard work and take pride in their success. She said, “I think people are told sometimes to think they have that. But it’s okay to be proud of what you’ve done, and it’s okay to believe you deserve something because you’ve put in the work for it.”
The interview, posted on CNN’s Instagram, sparked a wave of reactions online. Many viewers criticized Macfarlane for her persistent questioning about imposter syndrome. Meanwhile, others applauded Maher for confidently defending her hard-earned success and standing against societal pressure to downplay achievements.
