IN CONVERSATION WITH MAURA HIGGINS

interview by JANA LETONJA

Maura Higgins is entering her most global chapter yet. A media personality, host, presenter, and undeniable style force, she has evolved from Love Island breakout to a multi-media television star, becoming the only Love Island alum to cross into the US franchise as a host and now captivating audiences on NBC’s The Traitors. With fearless candor, magnetic confidence, and a fashion presence that consistently commands attention, Maura embodies a new kind of celebrity: sharp, self-aware, and unapologetically powerful. As she makes her official push into the US market, all eyes are firmly on her.

dress and shoes ALEXANDER WANG
sunglasses GENTLE MONSTER

The Traitors thrives on psychology and power. What drew you to the show, and how did you approach the game?

Let’s be honest, its the fashion that had me sold. I just went in to play the game and trusted my gut. It’s easy to say you’d do things differently watching from home, but when you’re in it, you have to trust your instincts, and I stand by that.

How different was this experience from the unscripted worlds audiences know you from?

Oh, completely different. Usually I just walk in, be myself, say what everyone else is thinking and get on with it. But in The Traitors, you have to be a bit more strategic. You can’t just call someone out for being shady straight away, even though I really wanted to.

full look DO LONG
hat DO LONG
earrings ALEXIS BITTAR

You’re the biggest name to emerge from Love Island globally. At what point did you realize your platform had become something bigger?

I think when opportunities just kept coming, and I wasn’t being put in a box anymore. When I moved into a hosting role for the US Love Island, that kind of solidified to me that I was more than one-dimensional. I love proving the haters wrong and showing everyone what I’m truly capable of.

Crossing into the US Love Island universe as a host was a major milestone. What did that shift represent for you?

It represented a new era for my career on a bigger stage and the start of a trend that would continue, levelling up as I go. I always had this feeling deep down that I was made for something bigger in this industry, and the shift from being one of many to being a main role felt like a proper “Okay, I am good at this, I am meant for something bigger” moment, and to be honest, I’m just getting started. 

dress CHRISTIAN SIRIANO
gloves STYLIST KIT - VINTAGE
shoes AMINA MUADDI

You’re often praised for your honesty and fearlessness on screen. Has that ever felt like a risk?

Definitely, but I’d be bored senseless pretending to be someone else. I say what I think, and sometimes it gets me in trouble, but at least I'm real. If people don’t like it, that’s their problem, not mine.

Style has become a huge part of your public identity. How do you approach fashion as self-expression?

I dress for how I want to feel, which is usually powerful. To me, being sexy is one of the most powerful feelings of all. I love walking in and feeling like I've stolen the show. Life’s too short to play it safe with your looks and I feel like every look should be its own moment.

full look RONALD VAN DER KEMP
hat RONALD VAN DER KEMP
earrings ALEXIS BITTAR
shoes KANDEE SHOES

From Siriano to LaQuan Smith to Robert Wun, your recent looks have been striking. What excites you about fashion right now?

I’ve always loved playing in fashion, but I’ve been having so much fun on this last press run in particular, because I feel like with all the new appointments of directors, there is a fresh energy across the fashion houses and there is a real shift going on. I’m loving the new silhouettes, new ways of being chic and telling stories through clothes. While I’ve always had an admiration for the industry, working with designers from Siriano to LaQuan Smith to Robert Wun has really expanded my understanding of the space and deepened my appreciation for the artistry behind it. Going to the shows and seeing it in live action has opened up eyes even more, looks I hadn't considered before all of a sudden I’m now drawn to - stronger shapes, more architectural pieces, even more risk-taking. I feel like I could do ten more press runs and my team and I would still not run out of ideas or be tired of creating new looks. It’s this never-ending fantasy world I enjoy getting lost in and I’m so excited to show the world what this year has in store in this area for me. 

British Vogue named you “the most divine woman on television.” How do you stay grounded amid that level of attention?

I love it. I mean, who wouldn’t? But it comes from years of hard work and remaining true to myself. I’ve learned so much and continue to push myself to try to new things, which has all opened so many more doors in my life. It’s easy to be humbled when you are in the thick of it all, but recognition like that makes it worth the stress and challenges that’ve come along the way.

dress and shoes ALEXANDER WANG
sunglasses GENTLE MONSTER

Reality television often comes with misconceptions. How do you challenge them?

I honestly don't even challenge them. Why bother being upset about what someone who doesn't know you thinks. Think what you want, I know who I am. I’m going to keep being me, working my butt off, and having fun. Those who recognize it, will recognize it. 

As you enter the US market, what kind of projects are you most excited to explore?

I want to surprise people a bit. You’ll see me where you usually see me, but you may be seeing me in other areas too. Maybe the scripted world sometime soon, who knows. Bigger, bolder, maybe a bit unexpected, that’s the plan.

dress QUINE LI
shoes GCDS

How do you protect your personal life while remaining open and relatable to your audience?

Honestly, I don’t really hold anything back. I’ve always been extremely open and honest, it’s just who I am to the core. What you see is what you get with me. 

TEAM CREDITS:

talent MAURA HIGGINS
photography WILLIAM FERCHICHI
styling KRIS FE AT THE ONLY AGENCY
makeup SUZY CLARKE
hair FRANKIE CALIRE AT OPUS BEAUTY
photography assistant SEQUOYAH WILDWYN-DETCHER
fashion market assistant FRANCELESLIA MILLIEN
styling assistants STEFANIE NELSON, CHRISTELLE SYLVAIN & CRYSTAL CASTRO
editor TIMI LETONJA
editorial director & interview JANA LETONJA
cover design ARTHUR ROELOFFZEN
location FREEHAND HOTEL at GEORGIA ROOM NYC AUTHENTIC NY