Maura Higgins had a rocky start to 2025, splitting from Pete Wicks then facing a backlash over “that” kiss with married McFly star Danny Jones at the Brits afterparty. But not only has she weathered the storm, she’s set to celebrate her biggest year yet.
According to PR expert Dermot McNamara, Maura’s played a blinder by refusing to get caught up in the drama and, thanks to her hosting gig on Love Island USA: Aftersun, her career is just getting stronger. “This had all the makings of a PR disaster, but Maura turned it into a non-event,” he said. “The scandal could have derailed her, but she’s back on screen, bigger than ever.”
The reality star, 34, oozed confidence as she returned to the spin-off series last week. And while she may have hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons recently, a source told OK! that the negative publicity has failed to dent her reputation.
“She needed a clean slate and working in America has done that,” they said. “In the UK, Maura was – unfairly – branded a homewrecker. It’s not a good look and she didn’t want it to impact her career.” Maura met Danny while appearing on I’m A Celebrity last December, while she was dating Pete.
Danny, meanwhile, has been married to model Georgia Horsley – who he shares seven-year-old son Cooper with – since 2014. Maura and Danny stunned onlookers when they were caught kissing at the Brits afterparty, prompting Danny to issue a grovelling apology.
But as Danny battled to save his marriage, Maura maintained a dignified silence. “It’s the golden rule of reputation management: don’t add fuel to the fire,” said Dermot. “She didn’t dignify the rumours with a response, and by doing so she denied them oxygen.”
The source agreed that Maura was canny in how she dealt with the furore. “She still hasn’t spoken about the kiss – she acts as if it didn’t happen,” they said. “McFly aren’t as well-known in the US, so it’s a weight off her shoulders when she’s there.” Maura began hosting Love Island USA: Aftersun last year, but took time away to film for the US version of The Traitors.
Then, last week, she made an epic return for the finale. “Maura is hot property in America,” the source said. And she has no plans to slow down, with the source claiming that Maura is working hard to ensure the scandal with Danny becomes a distant memory. Dermot said it’s incredible how the former ring girl has been juggling two huge TV shows.
“These are high-profile roles that prove networks and brands still want her front and centre. Maura is a magnetic TV host with a rising-star quality.”
Alongside the likes of Molly-Mae Hague and Olivia Attwood, Maura is one of Love Island’s biggest success stories. It’s because she knows how to play the fame game, the source said, adding, “She’s come out of this debacle unscathed, while Danny still seems to be picking up the pieces.”