Maura Higgins Will Not Be Returning to Fiji This Year

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I’m so impressed by Maura Higgins! She really gets it – in this industry, whether it’s Love Island, I’m a Celebrity, The Traitors, or Dancing With the Stars, staying power is everything. And she’s confident she can do just that, as long as she stays true to herself. It’s amazing to think about – this girl from the Irish countryside who saved a picture of a Rolex for years is now at Fashion Week and walking red carpets, truly living her dream! What I admire most is that she doesn’t try to be someone she’s not. She’s never compromised who she is, or her sense of humor, just to get viewers to like her. Honestly, she’s so glamorous, you’d expect her to be less relatable, but that’s exactly what makes her so special! She says being authentic, both on and off screen, is what’s kept her on TV all these years. She’s been incredibly busy too – she jokes she’s spent more time on planes than on the ground lately!

It’s funny, I still don’t feel like I’ve ‘made it,’ even now. I come from a small town in Ireland where opportunities are limited. After appearing on Love Island, it was surreal to see all the support and followers flooding my social media. The biggest shock was when people started recognizing me on the street!

It seems like there are different stages of realizing you’ve achieved success, right? Back then, I was completely lost and questioning everything. Now, I’m amazed by how far my career has come – even though I was ambitious, I never imagined it would reach this point. Being a bit older when I went on Love Island helped me know what I wanted. I wasn’t just looking for any job; I wanted a career that would last. And this year has been unbelievable – I haven’t stopped working since January. It all feels surreal, like I’m dreaming. I keep wondering, what’s happening in my life?

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Someone asked me what I bought with my first big paycheck. I’d saved a picture of a particular Rolex watch on my phone for years, always hoping I could afford it someday. I remember the day I finally bought it so clearly – it wasn’t long after I finished filming Love Island. It was a really strange and amazing feeling, finally being able to purchase something I’d dreamed about for so long.

Do you still wear it?
Oh, I do.

If you had to describe the character you play in just five words, what would you say? I think I’d go with authentic, funny, sarcastic, and a total ‘girls’ girl’. Does that count as five?

If you had to describe your style in just five words, what would they be? It’s tough to say, really – I switch things up a lot!

So, you’d say you’re adaptable with your style? Absolutely! I really enjoy fashion, and part of that is being able to switch things up. It’s much more enjoyable to change my look depending on how I feel or where I’m going.

When people think about my career, a few moments stand out. On Love Island, it was when I really stood up for myself and confronted someone – that was a defining moment during my time on the show. Later, on I’m a Celebrity…, people seemed to enjoy my sense of humor. The Traitors was a completely different experience, but across all these shows, I think people connect with my authenticity. I always speak my mind and stay true to myself, no matter the situation.

It was frustrating to see people online calling me naive towards the end of Traitors. They seemed to forget that as viewers, they knew who the Traitors were, while we playing the game didn’t! It’s an edited show, and it’s easy to misjudge things. I’m a loyal person and I stand by how I played. I simply trusted someone I’d met before – I didn’t know anyone else on the show, or even seen them on TV before. So it was easy for people to criticize me, but I don’t think I’m naive at all. I got blamed for not figuring out Rob was a Traitor, but there were a lot of other people in the castle too! I wasn’t focused on strategy; I was just having fun and unfortunately, I put my trust in someone who was on the wrong side. That’s all there is to it.

Someone asked me if I feel pressure to be who fans think I should be, especially since they’ve been so supportive and see me as someone who stands up for herself. Honestly? Not really. I just focus on being authentic and enjoying the ride. I’m not trying to live up to any expectations, just living my life.

If I could just have a normal day, away from the spotlight, I’d spend it completely relaxed at home – in my pajamas, with no makeup, just lounging on the couch. I actually still do that sometimes! It doesn’t happen often, but I definitely need those days. I grew up in a quiet part of Ireland, in the countryside, and now I live in a more rural area of London. So when I come back from busy weeks in America, filled with events and red carpets, all I want is to hear the birds and enjoy the peace and quiet.

But there’s nothing I really miss. I literally am living my dream.

If you could magically trade lives with anyone on reality TV right now, who would it be? I’d probably pick Lisa Rinna. I think she’s amazing, and I imagine her everyday life is just a blast.

Who in reality TV is exactly like they are onscreen?
Lisa Rinna!

I think Olandria from the latest season of Love Island would be great on The Traitors. I was really drawn to her style on Love Island, and I’d love to see her outfits on another show. Honestly, I watch those shows for the fashion, and I think she’d do an amazing job with it.

Looks like I won’t be heading to Fiji this year. I’ve been going for three years, and those people will always be like family to me, but I’m ready to explore some new opportunities. It’s time for a change, and I’m saying goodbye for now. It’s not forever, though! I’ll still be supporting them from a distance, and I’ll always cherish the memories. It’s just time for me to move forward.

You’re about to compete on Dancing With the Stars! What excites you most about the show? I’m planning to fully immerse myself in the experience. I’ve never had any dance training, so I’m not sure if I’ll be a natural or struggle, but it looks really challenging – and learning something completely new will be a lot of fun!

Did you get a chance to talk to Ciara before the season started? I sent her a message saying I think we’re going to have a really great time. She’s absolutely going to be fantastic!

Someone asked if I’d ever do another season of The Traitors, and honestly, it’s probably not a show for me. I’d be up for playing as a Traitor, but if I went on hoping to be one and ended up as a Faithful again, I’d be really annoyed!

“Not again!”
I always say I wouldn’t do the same show twice, but then I don’t know. Never say never.

Do most successful reality TV shows require a villainous character? It’s hard to say for sure, but probably! Having someone to dislike gives viewers an outlet for their negative feelings.

Shows like Dancing With the Stars are different because they don’t really need a bad guy. It’s funny to think about, but nobody wants to be portrayed as the villain on a show like that!

After The Traitors finished, there were a lot of people I was eager to connect with. I actually got to meet Zendaya, and she was even more amazing in person than you’d imagine!

If you’re hoping to become a reality TV star, my best advice is to just be yourself. You’re unique, and trying to be someone you’re not will eventually become obvious on camera.

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2026-05-08 16:11