Maura Higgins: Americas Rising Irish It Girl

When it was announced that ABC was shelving Taylor Frankie Paul's season of amid a scandal, fans immediately wondered whether Nation franchise would replace the influencer with another hopeful single looking for love.

The name of one  star emerged as first on their list: .

Indeed, the Irish model, 35, would be a perfect choice for the fledgling ABC reality dating series, which after canceling Paul's season just three days before it was set to air.

But if Higgins's recent ascent to reality TV stardom is any indication, the former Love Island star may not want to hitch a ride on  Nation wagon just yet.

After all, multiple sources have told the Daily Mail that the rising it girl is currently fielding 'tons' of offers from brands and TV networks.

And with a dedicated PR team working to solidify their client's stronghold in the fashion and entertainment industries, Higgins's growing popularity is anything but a coincidence.

Really, the 'unstoppable' reality star is working overtime to make sure she stays in the spotlight.

Higgins made her reality TV debut on season five of the hit UK series Love Island in 2019.

The Ballymahon native was an instant hit on the ITV2 dating show thanks to her fiery arguments, hilarious one-liners and no-nonsense attitude toward the men in the villa. Her memorable 'bombshell' entrance made her a fan-favorite, and her viral takedown of Season 5 co-star Tom Walker .

Since then, Higgins has made the successful transition from Love Island contestant to presenter, hosting the Love Island USA: Aftersun spin-off show in 2024.

She has also worked hard to shed some of her dating show past, appearing on other British shows like ITV's Dancing On Ice in 2020, Cooking With The Stars in 2022 and I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! in 2024.

But it was her branching out to American reality TV with season four of Peacock's The Traitors - in which from Higgins - that has since made the star beloved by fans on both sides of the Atlantic.

Now, one source has exclusively told the Daily Mail that Higgins's busy schedule hasn't let up since her appearance on The Traitors.

'Maura has become the new it girl, and everyone wants to work with her,' the insider told the Daily Mail. 'Everyone wants to offer her a product to promote, have her [be] the face of their next campaign, have her star in another TV show.

'Her team is getting tons of emails and calls every day, and they're doing everything they can to make sure she stays in the spotlight.'

Earlier this month, ABC pulled Season 22 of The Bachelorette after a shocking 2023 video surfaced of Paul - known for her part on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives - attacking her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen, 33, with her minor daughter present.

Celebrity gossip account DeuxMoi later that suggested Higgins could step in as a replacement.

'ABC exec friend said that they are looking into getting Maura Higgins to be the new Bachelorette and do a live shooting of it,' the post read.

'They shut down Layla [Taylor] and Miranda [Hope] as a dual season and are trying to steer away from the SLOMW girlies.'

While ABC has not confirmed reports that Higgins will be replacing Paul, Higgins further fueled speculation by subtly commenting on the rumors on Instagram.

In the comments section of DeuxMoi's post, Higgins simply left a single eye emoji.

However, a second source close to Higgins told the Daily Mail that fans shouldn't take her cryptic comment as confirmation.

'Maura has been very coy about if she will be the next Bachelorette,' the source said.

'It really seems like there have been conversations, but she's brushing it off when being asked directly and changing the subject which is very unlike her. She's usually very forthcoming when asked about things. She'd love to do it though and is taking many opportunities coming her way.'

It is also understood that the reality star is for the Disney corporation that doesn't involve dating 30 single men on camera.

'There's been no decisions made about The Bachelorette for next season yet, especially because they are still deciding whether or not to air this coming season,' a third insider said.

'Maura is for sure on the wish list for Dancing with the Stars, but they have a lot of conversations with a lot of people. Contracts will start to go out soon if they haven't already.'

The TV presenter, who has 4.2 million followers on Instagram, has surely risen among the ranks of reality TV icons. But it would seem that Higgins has even bigger aspirations beyond the screen as she hopes to further her career in the fashion world.

Prior to appearing on television, Higgins worked as a model and 'grid girl' - promotional models typically employed in motocross sports - and appeared in ads for Monster Energy drinks.

These days, Higgins is hoping to transition her modeling career into the world of couture, as she notably turned out several high-fashion looks during her stint in the Traitors castle.

Last December, she wore a jaw-dropping Robert Wun couture ensemble that stole the show at the 2025 Fashion Awards hosted by the British Fashion Council.

The following month, she attended the 2026 Golden Globes in an old Hollywood-inspired, black, floor-length gown and dramatic gold shawl designed by Egyptian designer Marmar Halim.

She then turned heads in a red Andrea Brocca couture gown at the EE BAFTA Film Awards in London in February, as well as a black-and-white Christian Siriano gown for the Traitors Season 4 reunion.

Higgins was famously gifted a burgundy Hermès Birkin bag - which costs an estimated $16,000 - from Traitors co-star Rausch after he betrayed her during the finale.

The star recently ditched her former management and signed with top-tier talent agency Align PR, whose clients include Madonna, Selena Gomez, Alix Earle and Matthew McConaughey.

In February, she was invited to her very first Super Bowl, where she and was by Hollywood A-lister Kevin Costner.

More recently, Higgins attended the premiere of A24's The Drama in Los Angeles, wearing a halter neck burgundy gown by Vietnamese designer Do Long that featured cut-out detailing along the waist. 

'As much as she's known for being a reality star, she has her eyes set on becoming a fashion icon,' our first insider said. 'She loves playing dress up - in designer, of course - and having her photo taken. Some people do it for fun, but she's taking it very seriously.' 

Of course, Higgins's successful transition from ring girl to Love Island star to TV presenter and fashion icon hasn't come without some envious eyes along the way.

According to our first insider, fellow influencers are 'definitely jealous' of Higgins because they are 'watching her followers grow and all these ads she takes part in.'

'The more ads and partnerships means more money, so who wouldn't be jealous? At this point, she's unstoppable,' they said.

Within the last year, Higgins has posted social media ad campaigns for brands such as Uber, Victoria's Secret, Guess, Alo, L'Oréal Paris and MAC Cosmetics.

And her success has surely paid off, as she , UK, for a reported $1.6million in October 2024. However, she didn't move into the five-bedroom semi-detached house until July last year after what she said were 'the busiest few months' working.

She also a Porsche Macan, which typically ranges in price from $79,000 to $130,000.

But it might still be some time before Higgins can settle into her dream home in England as her work commitments keep her in the US and even further afield. 

'She's spending a lot of time in Los Angeles now but has upcoming travel plans and will go wherever work takes her,' the first insider told the Daily Mail.

'She's not ready to make the permanent move to the US at this time, but should she need to be in one city for an extended amount of time, she most likely will just rent a place.'

It would seem that for Higgins, who has an estimated $4.2million net worth, all that is missing from her newfound success is a special someone to share it with. But according to the star, after a series of failed relationships.

In 2019, she finished Love Island in fourth place after coupling up with Curtis Pritchard. The former couple called it quits in March 2020 after just eight months together.

She then dated fellow Love Island star Chris Taylor from November 2020 to May 2021 - they met on the same series. Following their split, Higgins was in a relationship with professional dancer Giovanni Pernice, but they parted ways after four months.

Higgins later dated stuntman Bobby Holland Hanton for ten months, announcing their split in March 2024. She was then seen sharing a 'drunken kiss' with McFly's Danny Jones - who has been married to his wife Georgia for over a decade - as they attended Universal Music's BRIT Awards afterparty last year.

Her last known relationship was with British reality star Pete Wicks. The pair were linked in June 2024 and reportedly split in February last year. He is now .

Discussing her love life in a recent interview with Elite Daily, Higgins said she has 'already got severe trust issues.'

Despite Higgins swearing off men, they still slide into her Instagram DMs in the hopes of landing a date. 

'Guys are for sure in her DMs all the time, but she's embracing the single life,' our first source said. 'She's not in a rush to meet a man since she wants to embrace this new and exciting chapter of her career.'

Her management team is also working overtime to put her on the path to success.

'She has a strong team in the US who is introducing her to people and helping her make positive connections,' the first source added. 'She's focused on getting her next big role.'

Between The Bachelorette speculation and rumors of an upcoming stint on Dancing With the Stars, it is surely only a matter of time before fans will witness the beloved Irish reality star on their screens once again.

The Daily Mail has contacted representatives for Higgins for comment.