Reality television star Maura Higgins found herself in a comical yet infuriating situation recently, when a smashed pastry caused chaos inside her luxury designer handbag. The incident was captured in a hilarious clip shared from the set of the American version of the popular psychological game show, The Traitors US.
Designer Bag Drama Unfolds on Social Media
The thirty-five-year-old Irish television personality, who rose to fame on the UK dating series Love Island, was filmed by her fellow contestant and American drag queen Monet X Change. In the video posted to Instagram Stories last Friday, Maura can be seen peering into her prized Hermès Birkin bag with a look of utter disbelief and rage.
"What happened to your Birkin?" Monet inquired, barely containing her laughter as she recorded the moment. Maura's response was immediate and expletive-laden, highlighting the absurdity of the situation. "The f*****g croissant smashed in my Birkin. Who puts that in your Birkin? Look at all the crumbs. It's very expensive!" she fumed, before eventually flashing a wry grin at the camera.
New York City Style and Rising Popularity
Earlier that same day, Maura had been spotted turning heads in New York City's trendy Tribeca neighbourhood. The Aftersun favourite stunned onlookers in an elaborate trench-dress ensemble, complete with a stylish dark hat, showcasing her fashion credentials. Despite only joining the American iteration of The Traitors a few weeks ago, fans have already taken to social media to brand Maura as "their favourite part of the season."
Her quick rise in popularity can be attributed to her no-nonsense attitude and memorable confrontations with other contestants. Notably, she engaged in an explosive row during a heated roundtable discussion with actor Michael Rapaport, best known for his role in the sitcom Friends.
Explosive Confrontation with Michael Rapaport
During the third episode of the series, which premiered in the United States on 8th January, Maura picked up on a seemingly innocuous phrase used by Rapaport. When the fifty-five-year-old actor referred to murdered contestants by saying "we got rid of," Maura immediately pounced, accusing him of potentially being a Traitor.
"Why did you say, 'we got rid of'? Does that mean you're a Traitor?" she challenged him directly. Rapaport attempted to defend himself, stating "Let me tell you something, Maura. I'm as faithful as a faithful-" but was swiftly interrupted. "Why did you say 'we'? We didn't - the Traitors did," Maura retorted, demonstrating her sharp analytical skills.
Later in the episode, Top Chef star Kristen Kish echoed Maura's suspicion, highlighting Rapaport's phrasing once more. The tense exchange has since become a talking point among viewers, further cementing Maura's status as a fan favourite for her forthright approach.
Strategic Gameplay and Daring Fashion Choices
In a recent interview, Maura revealed her game plan for The Traitors US, which involved a combination of bold strategy and distinctive style. "Well, I'm starting off wearing a cape. So... I'm hoping I'm a Traitor and I hope to kill everyone one by one," she stated with a laugh. "If someone comes for me at the round table, God love them. Sounds a bit traitor-y to me. I speak my mind. I'm not really a shadow kind of girl."
She later acknowledged the devious nature of her comments, adding "That sounded really devious, didn't it?" True to her word, Maura made a striking visual statement during the episode by rocking a daring dark green latex catsuit, which featured a short cape that perfectly complemented her ambitious gameplay.
American Ambitions and Future Prospects
Maura's participation in The Traitors US represents a significant step in her bid to crack the American entertainment market. Reports from June 2025 indicated that she had agreed to appear on the show as part of this strategic career move. A source close to the star told The Sun at the time, "Maura is becoming a huge star across the pond and her slot on The Traitors is just part of that. The future is bright - and has stars and stripes."
The show itself features an eclectic mix of contestants, including Shirley Ballas' son Mark, Travis Kelce's mother Donna, and Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Lisa Rinna. Yet it is Maura's combination of unfiltered reactions, such as the croissant incident, and her tactical confrontations that have captured the audience's imagination, making her one of the most talked-about participants this season.
