Maura Higgins has been unveiled as one of the first stars for the 35th season of Dancing With The Stars, according to an Instagram post from the show. The announcement was made on the show's Instagram account, which posted: "She went from looking for love to looking for who to trust, and now she's looking to win the Mirrorball. We're welcoming @maurahiggins to #DWTS on ABC, Disney+, and Hulu this fall! #HuluGetsReal." Higgins also shared the announcement on her own social media, writing: "I TINK IM VERY EXCITED!" The show also confirmed that Ciara Miller will be joining the cast, as per the same Instagram post.
Higgins, 33, first gained fame as a contestant on Love Island in 2019, according to multiple reports. She has since appeared on several reality shows, including Dancing on Ice in 2020, Cooking with the Stars in 2022, and I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! in 2024, as reported by major media. In 2023, she served as the social media presenter for Love Island USA and Love Island Games. Earlier this year, she appeared on the US version of The Traitors, where she made it to the final with Rob Rausch but was betrayed by her best friend, who was a traitor, according to reports.
She went from looking for love to looking for who to trust, and now she's looking to win the Mirrorball. We're welcoming @maurahiggins to #DWTS on ABC, Disney+, and Hulu this fall! #HuluGetsReal.
According to unnamed sources cited by major media, Higgins could be in line for a £5 million payday due to new deals. A source told The Sun that "Maura may have missed out on the cash prize on The Traitors but that's small change compared to what's coming her way. Shows and brands in the US are lining up for a piece of Maura and she's got more opportunities than time right now. It's an exciting place to be." Another source claimed that beauty brands are keen to sign Higgins in a seven-figure deal, adding: "She's in talks to become the face of one of the biggest cosmetic brands in the US in a deal that will be at least seven-figures." Insiders also claim that a fly-on-the-wall series about Higgins' rise in America could be next, and unnamed sources say she is in talks with Disney after making her acting debut in the film The Spin.
According to Daily Mail - Home, Higgins had previously expressed interest in appearing on Dancing With The Stars, describing it as "a huge challenge" but something she would "throw myself into." The full lineup and partners for the show will be announced in the next few weeks, according to major media. The hosts are Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough, and the judges are Derek Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba, and Bruno Tonioli, as reported by major media.
Maura may have missed out on the cash prize on The Traitors but that's small change compared to what's coming her way. Shows and brands in the US are lining up for a piece of Maura and she's got more opportunities than time right now. It's an exciting place to be.
She's in talks to become the face of one of the biggest cosmetic brands in the US in a deal that will be at least seven-figures.