MAURA HIGGINS SAYS SHE IS "STRUGGLING" DURING DWTS REHEARSALS

Maura Higgins has shared an update with fans during rehearsals for Dancing With The Stars, describing the experience as difficult. In an Instagram story, she posted a selfie showing her looking downcast, wiping her sleeve under one eye as if upset. She captioned the image "Struggling so much this week," accompanied by a crying face emoji. Higgins is competing on season 35 of the American version of Dancing With The Stars, partnered with Mark Ballas.

The post follows a Paso Doble routine Higgins performed with Ballas that drew praise from judges and viewers. Fans online described the performance as "incredible" and "historical," with one viewer questioning why she did not receive higher marks after judges awarded her an eight and three nines. Higgins later said she cried once she got backstage after that performance, adding "it meant a lot to me." She first became known to the public in 2019 as a finalist on the fifth series of Love Island.

No further detail on the specific cause of her difficulties this week has been shared. Higgins continues to take part in the current season of the competition alongside Ballas. Her earlier performance had already generated discussion among viewers over the scoring given by the judging panel. She has not provided further comment beyond the Instagram post at this time.