Reality television personality Maura Higgins has candidly discussed her decision to embrace a period of celibacy, now extending beyond twelve months, attributing it to exhaustion from a string of disappointing past relationships. The 35-year-old star, recently featured on The Traitors US, disclosed in an interview with Cosmopolitan that she has not even been checking her direct messages, as she took a deliberate break from men to recalibrate her life.
A Deliberate Pause from Romance
Maura explained that her celibacy was not a premeditated plan but rather a necessary response to dealing with what she described as 'terrible exes'. She emphasized that she did not impose a specific timeline on this hiatus but felt compelled to step back after repeated negative experiences. 'I wanted to focus on me, my career, and my energy,' she stated, highlighting her shift in priorities away from romantic pursuits.
Learning from Solitude
Reflecting on her time single, Maura shared that it taught her the importance of not allowing just anyone into her personal space. 'That I don’t want to bring just anyone into my energy,' she remarked, underscoring a newfound selectivity. Despite this, she clarified that she remains open to the possibility of a relationship, though she is not actively seeking one. 'I’m not saying I’m not open [to a relationship], but I’m not checking my DMs to see who’s in there. I’m not searching for it,' she added.
Trust Issues and Past Relationships
Maura's decision stems partly from severe trust issues, which she attributes to being cheated on by multiple former partners. In earlier comments this year, she revealed, 'I've been cheated on by the majority of my exes - that's the reason I've been celibate for a whole year.' This history has led her to adopt what she calls an 'investigator' approach in dating, admitting to going through a partner's phone early in relationships, a habit she acknowledges is problematic but feels compelled to continue due to past betrayals.
High-Profile Romantic History
Maura's love life has been widely publicized, including relationships with Curtis Pritchard and Chris Taylor from Love Island, as well as brief stints with Giovanni Pernice and Joey Essex. Her last known serious relationship was with Pete Wicks, which ended amid accusations of infidelity—claims that insiders disputed. More recently, she was linked to stuntman Bobby Holland Hanton and sparked rumors with The Traitors US co-star Rob Rausch, though she has remained coy about any potential romance, telling Andy Cohen on Watch What Happens Live that viewers would have to 'watch the show to see if that happened.'
Fashion and Forward Focus
Amid her personal revelations, Maura posed for a series of striking photographs with Cosmopolitan, showcasing outfits like a white bra top with black capris and revealing chaps. These images, likely to flood her inbox with messages, contrast with her current disinterest in romantic advances. She humorously noted that she does not want to dissuade anyone from messaging her, even as she maintains her celibate stance.
Overall, Maura Higgins' journey highlights a conscious choice to prioritize self-care and career over romance, driven by past heartbreaks and a desire for personal growth. Her openness about celibacy and trust issues resonates with many navigating similar challenges in modern dating.
