Olympic Rugby Player Ilona Maher Wears Lipstick While Playing To 'Stick It To The Man'

U.S. Olympic rugby player Ilona Maher told “CBS Mornings” that she wears lipstick while playing rugby to “stick it to the man.”

“It doesn’t take away from your athletic ability if you wear makeup,” she said during Monday’s episode of “CBS Mornings.” “If you want to put on a full face of makeup to go tackle people, good on you if you’re doing it.”

Maher, who is on Team USA in the Paris Olympics, has garnered attention on TikTok for her comedic behind-the-scenes videos during the Games, as well as her positive messages about body image.

Maher has become known for wearing lipstick on the rugby field and told “CBS Mornings” that she feels a divide between her and people who believe athletes can’t be feminine.

“I feel that I can be a beast and can play this very physical aggressive sport but also keeping my femininity while I do it,” Maher said.

She told Bustle in May that she thinks of red lipstick as “war paint” and earlier this month launched a skin care line focused on athletes and other people who are active.

“You don’t have to sacrifice your femininity to play any sports, whether it’s softball, field hockey, basketball, rugby,” Maher told “CBS Mornings.”

“It’s just a little bit of not changing who I am no matter what I’m doing.… I don’t want to be just one thing out there.”