Maura Higgins relocates to Los Angeles ahead of Dancing with the Stars Season 35 debut

The relocation to Los Angeles

Maura Higgins shared on her Instagram Stories on Tuesday that she was relocating to the United States to compete in Season 35 of ABC's Dancing with the Stars, revealing in an airport post that she packed 10 bags for her flight to California. She had previously described moving to Los Angeles as the beginning of a new chapter, posting a photo of herself walking confidently into a photoshoot shortly after landing with the caption, "Chapter: Hollywood." Higgins framed the journey as a realization of a long-held goal, telling People that she had "manifested" joining the show and that she intends to "put the work in" during her preparation.

A turbulent lead-up to the move

The preparation period was not without setbacks. Higgins posted a photograph of a shattered mirror and glass shards scattered across the floor, captioning it, "Representation of how the past week has been," a contrast to the upbeat tone of her arrival posts. The candid image suggested personal or logistical disruption in the days before her departure, though she did not elaborate beyond the caption.

Casting context and prior statements

Before her move, Higgins publicly said she would not pair up with a particular Dancing with the Stars professional because of "how he talks about women," a comment that circulated alongside her casting announcement. She has not yet been officially assigned a professional partner for Season 35, but she has expressed a desire to be paired with Mark Ballas, whom she got to know while co-starring on The Traitors. Her reality television résumé includes Love Island U.K., Love Island USA's Aftersun, and The Traitors, all of which she has cited as preparation for the ballroom.

Premise and partner preference

Higgins, who grew up in Ballymahon, Ireland, and reportedly lives in Essex, England, told Good Morning America that she had manifested appearing on the show, and reiterated to People that she is a "strong believer in manifesting." She added that she does not want to lose the "fun side" of the experience and said she approaches competitions without a fixed strategy, expecting to rely on energy and audience goodwill alongside rehearsal discipline. Her stated preference for Ballas remains unconfirmed by the network.

Premiere date and what's next

Dancing with the Stars Season 35 will begin with a two-night premiere on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026. Higgins's professional partner assignment, rehearsal footage, and any early promotional appearances are expected to surface in the weeks between her arrival and the premiere as ABC ramps up its Season 35 rollout.