Former Love Island contestant Maura Higgins sent shockwaves through Hollywood this week with a surprise and glamorous appearance at the 2026 Golden Globes. The 35-year-old Irish star, best known in the UK for reality TV, confidently walked the red carpet alongside A-listers at the prestigious Los Angeles ceremony on Sunday night, marking a significant step in her campaign to conquer the American entertainment industry.
From Villa to Red Carpet: A Star-Studded Arrival
Maura Higgins, who reached the final of Love Island's 2019 series, was an unexpected guest at the 83rd Golden Globes. She was one of the first stars to arrive on the red carpet, ensuring all eyes were on her with a show-stopping ensemble that oozed classic Hollywood glamour. Her look featured a floor-length black off-the-shoulder gown with striking, shimmering gold sleeves.
To complete the film star aesthetic, she draped a dramatic golden cape-like coat over her shoulders and styled her hair in soft, vintage-inspired curls. The confident appearance, at an event where she had no previously known connection, signalled her serious intentions to move beyond her reality TV roots and mingle at the highest levels of the film world.
Building a Stateside Career
This bold move did not come out of nowhere. Maura Higgins has been strategically building her profile in the United States for several years. After shooting to fame on Love Island alongside Tommy Fury and Molly-Mae Hague, she first appeared on US television in 2023 as the social media presenter for Love Island USA and the Love Island Games.
Her success there led to her landing the hosting role for Love Island USA: Aftersun in 2024, where her fun and sassy presenting style quickly won over American audiences. Most recently, she has been appearing on the US version of the hit reality competition The Traitors, which airs on the Peacock streaming service.
Industry sources suggest her surprise Golden Globes appearance is a calculated part of this transatlantic push. Back in 2023, it was reported she had hired the same publicist as Selling Sunset's Christine Quinn to capitalise on new opportunities. A source told The Sun at the time: "Maura is eager to emulate Christine's success by dominating the fashion world as well as becoming a regular face on US TV."
A Night of Irish Success
Maura was not the only Irish star making headlines at the Golden Globes. The ceremony was a triumphant night for Irish talent, with Jessie Buckley winning the Best Actress award for her performance in the film Hamnet. She was joined at the event by fellow Irish actor Paul Mescal, who plays William Shakespeare in the same movie.
While Maura Higgins was there as a guest rather than a nominee, her presence among such acclaimed company underscores her elevated ambitions. Having established herself as a firm favourite on UK shows like Dancing On Ice, Cooking With The Stars, and I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!, she is now clearly targeting a new chapter.
Her confident and unexpected turn on one of Hollywood's most watched red carpets proves that Maura Higgins has the A-list firmly in her sights. As one source previously stated about her US ambitions: "The future is bright - and has stars and stripes."
