The latest Love Island series has come to an end, and over the next few weeks and months we’ll no doubt see some couples blossom, some crumble and some favourites from the show go on to find stardom. And someone who knows all too well what success after being in the villa is like is series five star Maura Higgins, who rose to fame in 2019 and is arguably one of the most iconic Islanders ever.
As well as starring on other TV shows, landing lucrative brand deals and now presenting Love Island USA’s Aftersun, Maura has gone on to date a string of famous British men. But now she exclusively tells Closer she’s even had American A-listers reach out to try to date her.
Speaking at the BAFTA Television Awards 2024 With P&O Cruises, Maura, 33, says, “I’ve had Hollywood men slide into my DMs. But I’m not going to do that, be flown to Hollywood for a first date. They have to come to me!”
After reaching the final with and having a six-month relationship with Curtis Pritchard, Maura went on to date her Love Island co-star Chris Taylor, Strictly star Giovanni Pernice and TOWIE star Joey Essex.
Her most recent relationship was with Hollywood stuntman Bobby Holland Hanton, who she dated for around a year before splitting in March.
When asked about her dating status now, she coyly says, “I’m dating…” before adding, “The thing with me is I won’t just date someone. I don’t go off just looks, I have to be speaking to somebody for quite some time to sort of get their vibe. It needs to be flirty, getting to know each other, getting a vibe.”
While her love life has been turbulent, Maura’s career has gone from strength to strength. She starred on Dancing On Ice, Loose Women and had her own reality show called You’re Joking Me!. After impressing producers while guest-hosting on the Love Island Games last year, she now hosts Love Island USA’s Aftersun, the spin-off show.
But while Maura – who has 3.8m Instagram followers – may be dolled up to the nines looking glamorous while on screen, she admits she also loves to slob out on the sofa with a takeaway in her down time.
She says, “I do go to the gym – I’m not like severely consistent. I don’t really get in my own head if I haven’t been for five days. When I’m good, I’m very good with diet and eating clean and going to the gym.
“But I can also be very bad – eating the takeaways and doing no gym. I love pizza, pasta, Chinese, and watching TV. I’ve just finished that series called Scandal – I feel like I’m going through a heartbreak now it’s over.”
Find out more about P&O Cruises on their website.