Written by 
Maura Higgins quickly became a household name after she appeared on “Love Island” in 2019 and we’re sure she’ll gain a new legion of fans while she’s in the “I’m A Celeb” jungle.
People loved her quick-witted and cutthroat responses, and she’s maintained this entertaining persona through everything she does in life from her social media presence to her hosting duties.
It’s been five years since we were first introduced to the Longford lady and while we feel like we know her by now, there are some surprising facts about her that aren’t too common knowledge…
Maura Higgins was engaged before “Love Island”
Maura’s an ex-fiancée as she was engaged to her first-ever boyfriend James Finnegan.
Speaking on the “We Need to Talk” podcast with Paul C. Brunson, Maura revealed she and James first got together when she was 17 years old. She moved out of her family home and in with him in their small Longford town.
The former couple were together for nine years, with James popping the question around a year before they parted ways. The “Love Island” star said she knew at the time she accepted his proposal that she wasn’t going to marry him.
“It shouldn’t have happened, but it just did,” she admitted. “For some reason, in our heads we thought ‘[the engagement] will fix everything.’ It’s not going to fix anything. What’s a ring gonna do?’
“I fell out of love,” she said, before explaining that she had toyed with the idea of their split for a while before pulling the trigger. She didn’t want to break his heart but knew she had to do it for herself.
Maura Higgins’ unusual One Direction connection
Maura has a surprising One Direction connection… she featured in a music video for Liam Payne and Zedd’s track “Get Low.”
Snippets of the music video played in the background of the late singer’s performance at Radio 1’s Teen Awards in 2017.
Maura Higgins’ biggest fear
Prior to entering the Australian jungle for “I’m A Celeb” 2024, Maura confessed her phobias cover “everything.” Fantastic!
Another big concern of hers is sleeping under the stars, admitting: “I have never slept outside before. I am an indoor girl.”
Maura Higgins is a straight talker
After her appearance on “Love Island,” Maura joined the “This Morning” team as an Agony Aunt.
Honestly, no better woman! She has a candid, no-nonsense approach to life and thrilled viewers as she gave people a dig out with their relationship woes.
Maura Higgins’ missed calling
Maura always has her trusty right-hand man, celebrity hairstylist Carl Bembridge, by her side, but if she didn’t it’s not like she’d be losing her right arm…
The Longford woman is actually trained as a hairdresser. She worked in that career for a solid ten years, not bad going!
Maura Higgins is not the best woman
Maura sacrificed attending her sister’s wedding in favour of a stint on “Love Island.”
Her sister Louise tied the knot at a private ceremony at Abbeyshrule Church, outside Ballymahon, in July 2019 while Maura was basking under the Majorcan sun.
There’s no bad blood between the sisters, however, as locals confirmed at the time Louise gave Maura her blessing to leave her at the altar.
Maura Higgins is a secondary school dropout
Maura dropped out of secondary school when she was just 16 years old, and never sat the Leaving Cert.
Evidently, she didn’t need it to boast an uber-successful career!
*This article was originally published on Evoke.ie.