Maura Higgins Details Tough Week on US Dancing with the Stars
In a series of posts on Instagram, Love Island star Maura Higgins detailed what she described as one of her toughest weeks yet while competing on the US version of Dancing with the Stars. The 35-year-old former Love Island contestant, who is paired with professional dancer Mark Ballas, shared photographs of herself napping backstage alongside an image showing an IV drip in her arm.
Higgins told her followers that she had been unwell and running on very little energy while attempting to learn two routines. She wrote that she entered the competition knowing she was neither a dancer nor an athlete, but wanted to step outside her comfort zone. The pair currently remain among the seven remaining couples in the contest, having narrowly avoided elimination during the most recent broadcast.
Disney on Broadway Night and the Jive
During the latest episode, which featured a Disney on Broadway theme, Higgins and Ballas performed a jive to the track You Can Fly! You Can Fly! You Can Fly! from Peter Pan. The duo dressed as Tinkerbell and Captain Hook for the performance, which landed them at the bottom of the judges’ leaderboard.
The routine earned a total score of 32 points out of 40, with all four judges awarding eight points each, tying for the lowest score of the evening. Despite the low score, actress Julia Stiles and her partner Ezra Sosa were the couple ultimately eliminated from the competition.
Partner and Peer Reactions
Mark Ballas praised his celebrity partner’s efforts on social media following the broadcast. Ballas told Higgins that she handled the demanding jive as best as she possibly could and urged her to keep going until the wheels come off.
Shirley Ballas, head judge on the BBC series Strictly Come Dancing and mother to Mark Ballas, also offered encouragement online, writing that the contestant had blossomed into a beautiful dancer. Former Love Island co-star Molly-Mae Hague added her support, calling Higgins a queen.
Frequently Asked Questions
What dance did Maura Higgins perform on the Disney-themed episode?
Higgins and her partner Mark Ballas performed a jive to the song You Can Fly! You Can Fly! You Can Fly! from Peter Pan during the Disney on Broadway Night episode.
What score did Maura Higgins receive from the judges?
The pair earned a total score of 32 points out of 40, receiving eight points from each of the four judges.
Which couple was eliminated during the episode?
Actress Julia Stiles and her professional partner Ezra Sosa were the couple sent home at the end of the episode.
Maura Higgins got candid about her most difficult week on Dancing With the Stars yet. https://t.co/LX1Puk4Xtp
More on Maura Higgins
Maura Higgins shares ‘reality’ of competing on US ‘Dancing With The Stars’ https://t.co/ullF00DAYG
Maura Higgins shared the 'reality' of competing on Dancing with the Stars. The Love Island star, 35, is currently taking part in the US version of the dancing series, where she has been paired with professional dancer Mark Ballas https://t.co/DfsAqNFhBH
Related reading