Maura Higgins, the Irish reality star who rose to fame on Love Island in 2019, has seen her US profile soar after appearing on the fourth season of The Traitors US. Despite never having watched the show before, the 35-year-old made it to the final, where she was ultimately betrayed by fellow contestant Rob Rausch in a twist reminiscent of the Harry Clark and Mollie Pearce showdown on the UK version.
In the final episode, Rausch, a former snake wrangler and Traitor, convinced Higgins they were both Faithful and could split the prize pot. After banishing other players, the pair revealed their identities, leaving Higgins shocked to learn Rausch was a Traitor. 'You pinky-promised,' she told him, before cutting him off with 'don't speak' when he tried to console her.
British fans drew immediate comparisons to the second series of the UK Traitors, where Traitor Harry Clark persuaded Faithful Mollie Pearce he was innocent, only to reveal his true identity and take the entire prize. Viewers speculated that Higgins, like Pearce, may have been swayed by a crush, but Higgins dismissed this in an interview with Vulture. 'Did you see my face?' she said, referencing Rausch's claim of flirting. 'If the tables had turned, I guarantee the audience would be hating on me because I’m the woman.'
Higgins, who also hosts the US Love Island companion show Aftersun, insisted she was not 'd***-matised' or a 'pick-me', pointing out that Rausch had flirted with her as well. The finale aired on Thursday, 26 February, and has sparked widespread discussion among fans of both the US and UK versions.
