Maura Higgins, the former Love Island star, has revealed she faced a grueling week on the US version of Dancing with the Stars, describing her recent experience as one of the toughest of her competition. Higgins, 35, shared via Instagram that she battled illness and exhaustion while attempting to learn two complex routines, even requiring an IV drip to manage her health.
The reality television personality is currently one of seven remaining contestants on the series. While she narrowly avoided elimination during the most recent Disney on Broadway-themed episode, the physical toll of the competition has become increasingly evident behind the scenes. Higgins used her platform to provide a glimpse into the exhaustion that often accompanies high-stakes reality competition, emphasizing that her participation is about personal growth rather than perfection.
The physical toll of the Disney on Broadway episode
- The Performance: Higgins and partner Mark Ballas performed a Jive to “You Can Fly! You Can Fly! You Can Fly!” from Disney’s Peter Pan.
- The Score: The duo earned 32 out of 40 points, receiving eight points from each of the four judges.
- The Near Miss: Despite the low score, Higgins remained in the competition while actress Julia Stiles and partner Ezra Sosa were sent home.
- The Reality: Higgins shared photos of herself napping backstage and receiving medical treatment via an IV drip to illustrate her struggle.
The recent episode proved to be a high-pressure environment for the Longford native. According to reports from LMFM, Higgins and her professional partner, Mark Ballas, found themselves at the bottom of the judges’ leaderboard. Dressed as Tinkerbell and Captain Hook, the pair’s performance earned them a tie for the lowest score of the night, though they managed to survive the elimination process.
Higgins was candid about her physical state, telling her followers, “I was really unwell, running on very little energy and trying to learn two dances, but I gave it absolutely everything I had.” She clarified that her intention in sharing these moments was not to solicit sympathy but to highlight the “reality behind the scenes.”
The professional support system behind the scenes
The partnership between Higgins and Ballas, who previously worked together on The Traitors US, appears to have deepened through these recent challenges. Ballas offered public encouragement following the difficult Jive, telling her, “You’re doing great friend. All you can do is your best.” He expressed pride in her ability to complete the routine despite the circumstances, urging her to “keep going till the wheels come off.”
This sentiment was echoed by industry royalty. Shirley Ballas, the head judge on the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing and mother to Mark, noted that Higgins has transitioned from a “beginner” into a “beautiful dancer.” Even fellow Love Island alumna Molly-Mae Hague weighed in on the social media thread, offering support to her former castmate.
| Celebrity Contestant | Primary Background | Status in Competition |
|---|---|---|
| Jenna Dewan | Actress | Remaining |
| Harry Shum Jr. | Glee Actor | Remaining |
| Tatyana Ali | The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air | Remaining |
| Julia Stiles | 10 Things I Hate About You | Eliminated |
The evolution of the reality competition brand
Since her 2019 debut on Love Island, she has successfully pivoted across diverse genres, including Dancing on Ice, Cooking with the Stars, I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, and The Traitors US.
Maura Higgins has opened up about the reality of competing on Dancing with the Stars, describing her recent experience as some of her toughest on the show.
The stakes for Higgins remain high as the competition narrows. While the Jive proved to be a stumbling block, she has vowed to return with more strength, stating, “I’m proud that I kept going, even when things felt impossible, and I promise I’ll keep giving it everything I’ve got.”
Maura Higgins shares ‘reality’ of competing on Dancing With The Stars https://t.co/dxJQ6qwQPB
As the season progresses, the question remains whether Higgins can maintain the stamina required to compete against other celebrities like Jenna Dewan and Harry Shum Jr.
