Maura Higgins has been unveiled as one of the first two contestants for the upcoming 35th season of Dancing With The Stars, alongside Ciara Miller, according to the show's Instagram post. The announcement was made on the show's official 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.' The full lineup, including dance partners, is expected to be revealed in the coming weeks, according to the show. The show will return in autumn with Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough as hosts, and Derek Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba, and Bruno Tonioli as judges, as reported by major media.
Higgins rose to fame on Love Island in 2019, according to multiple media reports. Since then, she has built a career in reality television, appearing on 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. She also served as the social media presenter for Love Island USA and Love Island Games in 2023, according to major media. Earlier this year, she appeared on the US version of The Traitors, where she made it to the final with Rob Rausch but was blindsided by her best friend, who was a traitor, according to major media 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.
Higgins' participation in Dancing With The Stars comes amid reports of lucrative business opportunities. According to unnamed sources cited by major media, she could be in line for a £5 million payday from new deals. Beauty brands are reportedly keen to sign her in a deal worth at least seven figures, according to unnamed sources. One source told 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.' Another source added: '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.' Additionally, a fly-on-the-wall series documenting her rise in America is reportedly in talks, and she is in discussions with Disney after making her acting debut in the film The Spin, according to unnamed sources. Higgins had previously expressed interest in appearing on Dancing With The Stars, telling Daily Mail - Home that it would be a challenge she would embrace, according to the publication. The exact premiere date for the new season, her dance partner, and the specific value of the cosmetic deal remain unconfirmed.
I TINK IM VERY EXCITED!
Maybe [I'd do] Dancing With the Stars. It's something that'd be a challenge for me. I've never danced. I'd done a bit of Irish dancing when I was younger. It'd be a huge challenge, but I know I'd throw myself into it and all the looks and glitter.
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.