Maura Higgins breaks silence on late I'm A Celeb arrival
She's set to enter camp very soon!
Following her hilarious antics on Love Island back in 2019, Irish reality star Maura Higgins picked up a huge fan base, so it's no surprise excitement is rife ahead of her late arrival into I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!
Maura is reportedly set to enter camp alongside Reverend Richard Coles in the coming days, joining the likes of Tulisa, GK Barry, Coleen Rooney and Danny Jones in Australia.
Speaking to The Mirror, Maura admitted her mum was in shock at her daughter's latest career move, asking her: 'Maura, how are you going to do that?'
The 33-year-old told the publication: "She is baffled as I'm more of an indoor girl…I like my hotels. I've never slept outside."
Going on to speak about the show, Maura added: "I just don't want to let people down, because everyone's been DMing me, saying 'Oh my God, I hope you're doing the show.’
"I don't want to back out of the trials and be the biggest wimp in the camp. If spiders go over the top of my head, I might just die. I'm not a nervous person at all. I don't get anxiety. But for this show, when I think about it, I'm like, 'Oh God'."
Explaining how she thinks she's changed since her appearance on Love Island, she added: "It's been five years and I think I've matured, but I still have a potty mouth. I'm still the same kind of girl but I'm not going to go in and annihilate anyone.
"However, if someone gets on my nerves, I'm not really one to hold it in. I do speak my mind. If someone patronized me, I get really irritated. Like, that's one thing that really drives me mad."
Maura entered the Love Island villa back in 2019 alongside the likes of Molly-Mae Hague, Tommy Fury and former boyfriend Curtis Pritchard. Despite finishing in fourth place on the show, the pair split just months later, with recent rumours rife that she's been dating Strictly contestant Pete Wicks.
In recent years, Maura has appeared on Dancing On Ice and Glow Up Ireland, as well as landing the social ambassador on both Love Island: USA and Love Island: Games. Earlier this year, Maura was announced as the host for Love Island USA: Aftersun.
Check out Maura's career highlights so far:
Early career
After leaving school, Maura studied hairdressing, going on to work at a salon in Ballymahon. In 2012, Maura was a finalist in the Miss Sunday World pageant. She then began working for Monster Energy as an ambassador and promoter, which saw her appear in an advert in 2018 as she drove a car on a race track in Abu Dhabi.
2017 - Screen visuals for the late Liam Payne
In 2017, Maura appeared in the screen visuals for the late Liam Payne's track 'Get Low'. In an interview with The Irish Independent prior to entering the Love Island villa in 2019, Maura discussed her modelling work: "Through my modelling work, I've worked with athletes and people who've been in the public eye. I did a visual shoot for Liam Payne as well."
2018 – Ring girl
Before she appeared on Love Island, Maura worked as a ring girl, including for Anthony Joshua's fight with Alexander Povetkin in 2018. When speaking to boxer Tommy Fury in the villa, Maura told him about her experiences. She said: "You're a boxer – you know I'm a ring girl? I've only been doing it like two years. Joshua. His last two or three fights in London."
2019 - Love Island
Maura starred in the fifth series of Love Island in 2019, entering the villa as a bombshell. On the show, she coupled up with dancer Curtis Pritchard, with the pair finishing in fourth place. They later revealed that they had split in March 2020. Maura also met Molly-Mae on the show, with the pair being close friends to this day.
2019 - This Morning
Following her appearance on Love Island, Maura took on presenting roles on This Morning. Fresh from her time in the villa, Maura joined the show as an agony aunt, giving viewers her advice on their relationship problems. She also hosted a segment called Maura's Ireland, which saw her travel round her home country and visit beautiful locations.
2019 - Boohoo and Ann Summers collections
Maura launched a collection with Boohoo in 2019, as well as launching a range with lingerie brand Ann Summers – who she has worked with several times since.
2020 - Dancing On Ice
Maura was announced as a contestant on the 2020 series of Dancing On Ice, where she was partnered with professional skater Alexander Demetriou. Maura and Alexander made it all the way to week seven in the competition before being eliminated following the skate-off.
2020 – Maura Higgins: You’re Joking Me!
In July 2020, Maura Higgins: You're Joking Me! aired on ITV2. The show was a documentary, which followed Maura's journey as she prepared to compete in the Spartan Race, a 5km extreme obstacle course in Twickenham Stadium. Maura was put through her paces with the help of a personal trainer as she got fit for the gruelling challenge.
2021 - Presenting Glow Up Ireland
In June 2021, it was announced that Maura had landed her first presenting role, hosting the Irish edition of Glow Up, which sees make-up artists compete as they take on a series of tasks. Maura shared the exciting news to her Instagram page at the time, as she wrote: 'say hello to THE PRESENTER of Glow Up Ireland 🤯 coming soon to @rte2 #GloUpIrl'. (sic)
Many of Maura's Love Island co-stars, including best friend Molly-Mae, were quick to congratulate her on her role.
2021 - Signed with Elite Model Management
In November 2021, Maura signed a deal with the prestigious model agency Elite Model Management, which included representation from Elite's sister agency EWG Management in New York and LA. Maura announced the exciting news on her Instagram page, sharing a snap of herself in the Elite offices.
2022 - Cooking With The Stars
Maura competed on the series Cooking with the Stars in 2022. The show saw celebrities be paired with a professional chef, who mentored them as they competed in a series of cooking challenges. Maura was paired with chef Jack Stein, finishing the show in fourth place.
2023 – Love Island USA social ambassador
In July 2023, Maura was unveiled as the social ambassador for Love Island USA as she brought fans all of the behind the scenes gossip from the show. Announcing the news on her Instagram page, Maura wrote: 'I'M BACK!!!!!! Bringing you all the behind the scenes gossip live from Fiji for @loveislandusa.'
2023 - Maura reveals she is making her acting debut
In September 2023, Maura shared the exciting news that she will be making her acting debut in a film called The Spin, playing a character called Rose. The movie will be filmed in Northern Ireland and is due to be released in 2024.
As reported by the Irish Mirror, Maura impressed in her role, with the film's producer Edward McCaffery saying: "I have to say, she was brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. For someone who's never acted before, to see her hit her cues, hit her marks, give the same performance every take was excellent."
2023 – Love Island Games social host
Maura also took on the role of social host for Love Island Games, which aired in November 2023 and saw previous Islanders from around the world compete in a series of challenges. In her role as social media host, Maura was tasked with interviewing Islanders as they were eliminated from the show – including chatting to her ex Curtis Pritchard.
2024 - Oh Polly collection
In April 2024, the exciting news was revealed that Maura was featuring in a new HOTFIX collection with Oh Polly. The collection is an extension of Oh Polly's premium HOTFIX occasionwear line, and features the gorgeous - and previously unreleased - Amaya dress, which was first worn by Maura as she attended the Oh Polly runway show in February 2024.
2024 - Love Island USA Aftersun
After landing the role as social ambassador on both Love Island USA and Love Island Games in 2023, it was announced in June 2024 that Maura would become the host of Love Island USA: Aftersun for series six.
2024 - I'm A Celeb
Following his split from Maura's BFF Molly-Mae Hague, rumours were rife that Tommy Fury would be heading into the jungle for the 2024 series of I'm A Celeb. HOWEVER, after Tommy turned down the show for a better offer, it was later revealed that Maura would be taking his place! Maura entered the show as a late arrival alongside Reverend Richard Coles.
We can't wait to see her in the jungle!
I'm A Celeb continues every night at 9pm on ITV/STV.
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