Maura Higgins has begun training for her upcoming appearance on Dancing With The Stars, arriving at a session in a stylish athletic ensemble. The former Love Island star acknowledged feeling significant ‘pressure’ to perform well on the show, as reports emerge of co-stars expressing dissatisfaction with her pairing.
Training and Personal Pressure
Higgins, 35, was seen heading to her Dancing With The Stars training on Friday, dressed in a coordinated grey outfit from Alo Yoga, consisting of a sports bra priced at £78 and matching leggings costing £128. Her debut on the show is scheduled for the launch episode on Tuesday, September 15. Despite the emerging controversy, Higgins has focused on her performance, stating her desire to deliver a strong showing.
“There’s definitely pressure. You want to give the audience a really good performance,” Higgins commented. “But I mean, everyone can do their best, and I’m definitely going to do mine. I am giving it my all. I’ve never danced in my life. So it’s very, very new for me. But I just want to enjoy it.”
She elaborated on the physical demands of the training, telling Entertainment Weekly, “It’s very early days, but my God, my body has taken a shock. I was expecting it to be hard, but holy God. It’s a serious battering; the blisters are something else. But I’m just loving it. I’m honestly loving it so far.”
‘Fix Row’ Allegations Surface
The reality star’s participation has reportedly caused friction among her fellow contestants even before the competition officially begins. Higgins is partnered with Mark Ballas, the professional dancer son of Shirley Ballas. This pairing, along with Higgins being seen socializing with judge Bruno Tonioli, has allegedly led to discontent among other celebrities involved in the season.
Sources suggest that Higgins was keen to be partnered with Ballas, who is considered a popular figure on the show. Reports indicate that she was reportedly against being paired with Gleb Savchenko, who is no longer with the show. One insider claimed, “Maura’s been rubbing everyone up the wrong way, even before their first spray tans have dried.”
Further allegations suggest a deliberate effort to gain favour, with claims that Higgins quickly sought to build a connection with judge Bruno Tonioli. “She’s even made sure to get close to judge Bruno Tonioli and wasted no time posing arm-in-arm with him after a night out,” a source told The Sun. “It’s not gone unnoticed within the cast that she’s being favoured. It’s as if she’s being set up to win.”
Financial Incentives and Casting Controversies
Amid the reported drama, Higgins is expected to receive a substantial payday for her involvement. Her contract reportedly guarantees her £93,000 even if she is eliminated within the first two weeks. The earnings increase incrementally for subsequent weeks, with additional sums for reaching weeks five, six, eight, and nine.
The casting for the 35th season has also drawn scrutiny, with other celebrities facing accusations of having an unfair advantage. Jenna Dewan, a former professional dancer, has been a focal point of these discussions. Despite her extensive background in dance, including touring with major artists and starring in the film Step Up, Dewan stated that ballroom dancing is a different skill set.
“I do not know how to ballroom dance. Let’s be clear. It’s two different languages,” Dewan explained to Entertainment Tonight. “There’s parts of my dance training that’s helpful, obviously. I’ve learned choreography, I can perform, but there is a certain sense of unlearning for me.”
Whispers behind the scenes also concern other cast members with perceived advantages. Tatyana Ali’s inclusion has raised eyebrows due to her close relationship with co-host Alfonso Ribeiro, with whom she starred as siblings in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
Additionally, the potential for certain contestants to become immediate ‘fan favorites’ has reportedly caused some friction. This includes Ciara Miller, whose past reality television experiences might garner significant public support, and Maura Higgins herself, who some viewers felt was unfairly eliminated from The Traitors.
Conclusion
As Dancing With The Stars prepares for its new season, Maura Higgins is navigating both the intense physical demands of professional dancing and the interpersonal dynamics of a competitive reality show. While she expresses a commitment to doing her best and enjoying the experience, allegations of favouritism and ‘fix’ claims surrounding her partnership and interactions with judges add a layer of controversy to her highly anticipated debut.
