Some of my exes didn’t want me to overshadow them, reveals Maura Higgins as she talks love and her new role
AS Maura Higgins’ career has soared since making the final of Love Island in 2019, her romantic life has gone the other way.
The Irish beauty has been linked with famous hunks including Pete Wicks, Curtis Pritchard, Giovanni Pernice and Joey Essex.
But Maura, 35, reveals that some high-profile stars actually struggle to cope with her popularity and success.
She said: “My friends tell me that I need someone quieter than me.
“Some of my ex-partners didn’t like me overshadowing them — it was probably an ego thing.
“My friends keep saying that my next partner needs to let me shine and be who I am.”
The former hairdresser and grid girl showed she was not afraid to speak her mind on Love Island seven years ago.
Fans loved her and TV companies could not wait to snap her up.
She was soon signed for Dancing On Ice, and by 2024 she was starring on I’m A Celebrity.
Now she has cracked America, too.
She has just been announced as a competitor on Dancing With The Stars, the US version of Strictly, which follows on from her presenting Love Island USA and finishing runner-up on the American version of The Traitors in February.
It has led to her walking some of the biggest red carpets Stateside, including at the Oscars.
And her work there has seen her gain American friends, including fellow Traitors star and Melrose Place actress Lisa Rinna.
Maura recently went to Lisa’s home for an event and was blown over by the relationship she has with husband of 29 years, Clash Of The Titans and L.A. Law star Harry Hamlin.
Maura told Cosmopolitan: “Harry gave a speech, and I sat there thinking, ‘That’s exactly what I want’. He spoke about her with so much respect, and he adores her.
“I genuinely thought, ‘That’s the type of relationship I want. I want a man to let me be me and not try to dim my light’.”
It was during her stint on the fifth series of ITV2 reality series Love Island that she began her first high-profile romance, with Curtis Pritchard.
After leaving the villa, they dated for eight months but Maura says: “I feel like starting on Love Island is why everyone is so invested in my love life and wants to know whether I’m single or dating.”
It is probably also because there have been so many relationships with fellow celebrities.
Next came another ex-Love Islander, Chris Taylor, in 2020, followed by Strictly pro Giovanni Pernice in 2021.
At the time, friends said he had “never felt like this about anyone before”. But four months later it ended, leaving Maura reportedly “blindsided”.
In October 2022 she was photographed kissing Towie star Joey Essex at an awards bash.
A ten-month relationship with American stuntman Bobby Holland Hanton followed.
Next came Towie lothario Pete Wicks. The pair split in February last year after a series of rows.
And on Valentine’s Day she was overheard telling a friend who asked where he was: “I don’t know, probably cheating”.
But the following month, she was caught in a cheating drama of her own — kissing married I’m A Celeb campmate Danny Jones, the McFly guitarist, at a Brit Awards after-party. He later apologised to his wife.
Maura then started to spend more time in America.
Now, the announcement that she will star in the new series of the US dance show cements her place as America’s Irish sweetheart.
But many people are now commenting on her accent, with American fans on social media joking about her saying, “tink”, instead of “think”.
Maura told Cosmo mag: “Everyone’s spelling it T-I-N-K! Even I’m doing it now.
“My Irish fans — they’re all DM-ing and making videos. I’ve seen a few Irish people get defensive and say, ‘You shouldn’t be doing this’.
“But look, if I’m OK with people making fun, then I tink it’s fine.”
After she landed the job on Dancing With The Stars she told fans: “I tink I’m very excited.” And she told American TV show ABC News how she “manifested” her appearance on the dance show.
She said: “I was asked to do Dancing With The Stars Ireland when I first came off Love Island. But around that time there was a lot going on.
“And then when Strictly came about I was very tempted because I always wanted to do a dance show.
“I dunno, like my sights were always set on Dancing With The Stars America and I didn’t want to do anything that would jeopardise that position.
“It’s something I’ve been manifesting. I’ve had it on my vision board for the past couple of years.
“And now it’s actually happening. I cannot believe it.”
Maura revealed that although she rarely cries, she was overcome with emotion when she landed the gig.
She said: “I don’t get like that about anything. I don’t think I’ve ever had a moment like that, but because I really wanted it . . .
“If I could get to the finale I’d be over the moon. Obviously I’d love to win. I’ve never won a show in my life.”
It does mean, though, that she will be spending more time in America — and less in the £1.25million home she bought last year in a gated community in Essex.
Maura was so excited when she got the keys that she set up her own Casa A’Maura Instagram — a nod to the Casa Amor villa on Love Island.
But since then she has barely been at the house and only posted twice — one picture of her bean bags in an empty lounge and a second of her cooking pasta, with Sex And The City playing on a TV in the background.
She previously revealed she has not had time to furnish it as she has not been home due to her hectic schedule.
As well as her TV career, Maura has also landed lucrative tie-ins with brands including Primark, L’Oreal Paris, Mac, Ann Summers, Victoria’s Secret and Uber.
Her face may be everywhere, but it has also come under scrutiny on social media, with some asking if she has had tweakments.
Others have commented about her weight loss since her days on Love Island.
Maura told Allure mag: “I have never in my life had cheek filler. If they’re talking about Botox, however, yes, I do get Botox.
“But the only filler I’ve ever had was lip filler, and I’ve not had it in years.
“I’ve had my teeth done. I had Invisalign when I came out of Love Island, and then I had bonding over my teeth, which obviously is going to change my face a lot.”
But one thing she is never without is a spray tan — something that will hold her in good stead as she competes for the glitterball as Ireland’s current hottest export.
She said: “When I’m tanned I feel good, and I’m ready to take on the world”.