When Maura Higgins first entered the Love Island villa in 2019, few would have imagined her path would lead to the red carpet of one of Hollywood's most exclusive events. Yet, last night, the 35-year-old from Ballymahon, County Longford, did exactly that, making a show-stopping entrance at the Golden Globes in Beverly Hills.
Dressed in a glamorous Marmar Halim gown, she commanded attention like a 1920s screen siren. In a surreal moment that underscored her newfound status, global music icon Snoop Dogg stopped her to ask for a photograph, a scene that quickly lit up social media.
From Hairdresser to Household Name
Maura's journey reads like a modern-day fairytale. She began her working life as a hairdresser before her striking looks led to modelling work and a role as a grid girl. However, it was her casting on the UK's Love Island that provided the launchpad for her fame. Her quick wit and hilarious one-liners set her apart from the typical reality TV contestant.
Viewers adored her as 'the friend everyone needs' for her straight-talking advice to fellow Islanders. One iconic moment, where she shut down a suggestive comment from a male contestant, has been viewed over 2.5 million times on YouTube and even caught the attention of American comedian Amy Schumer, who said she felt "very connected" to Maura.
Crossing the Atlantic and Conquering New Screens
After the show, Maura followed a familiar path for a time, dating fellow Islander Curtis Pritchard and landing social media deals alongside TV appearances on Dancing On Ice and I'm A Celebrity. The trajectory shifted dramatically in 2023 when she was hired as the social media presenter for Love Island USA and the Love Island Games.
Her success was rapid. By 2024, she was hosting Love Island USA: Aftersun, where her fun and sassy style made her an instant hit with American audiences. This paved the way for her current high-profile role on the US version of The Traitors, featuring celebrities, a move that was part of a deliberate plan to 'crack America' revealed last June.
Broadening Her Horizons Beyond Reality TV
Maura's appeal is no longer confined to the small screen. The premiere of her debut movie, The Spin, in which she plays a character named Rose, has been met with praise. Industry sources told The Mirror that her performance has already sparked conversations with Hollywood executives about future film roles.
While her love life often makes headlines—including a split from TOWIE's Pete Wicks in early 2025 and being photographed kissing married pop star Danny Jones—her professional reputation remains strong. She now boasts over four million Instagram followers and is represented by the same publicist as Netflix's Selling Sunset star Christine Quinn.
Reflecting on her philosophy, Maura once advised: "Whatever you want, screenshot it, print it, cut it out, stick everything you want…" And it will come to you? Her emphatic reply: "Yes!" For Maura Higgins, that mantra has clearly worked, transforming her from a reality TV star into a bona fide transatlantic celebrity walking the red carpet at the Golden Globes.
