Maura Higgins has begun training for the upcoming season of ‘Dancing With The Stars,’ arriving at a session in a stylish athleisure set, shortly after acknowledging the significant pressure she feels to perform well on the show. The former reality television personality, 35, is partnered with Mark Ballas, a professional dancer and the son of Shirley Ballas, a pairing that has reportedly led to discontent among some of her fellow contestants, fueling accusations of a ‘fix.’
Higgins Addresses Performance Pressure and Training Demands
Higgins was seen heading to her training session clad in a grey Alo Yoga sports bra, valued at approximately £78, complemented by matching leggings costing around £128. With the show’s launch just days away, Higgins is preparing for her debut. Despite the emerging controversy, she has expressed a strong desire to deliver a compelling performance.
Speaking about the challenges ahead, Higgins stated, “There’s definitely pressure. You want to give the audience a really good performance. But I mean, everyone can do their best, and I’m definitely going to do mine. I am giving it my all. I’ve never danced in my life. So it’s very, very new for me. But I just want to enjoy it.”
Reflecting on the intensity of the training, she shared with Entertainment Weekly, “It’s very early days, but my God, my body has taken a shock. I was expecting it to be hard, but holy God. It’s a serious battering; the blisters are something else. But I’m just loving it. I’m honestly loving it so far.”
Controversy Surrounds Maura Higgins’s Partnership
The selection of Higgins for the show and her subsequent partnership with Ballas have already generated friction within the cast before the competition has officially commenced. Reports suggest that her close association with judge Bruno Tonioli, observed during a recent night out, has further exacerbated tensions.
Sources indicate that Higgins’s presence has been a point of contention. “Maura’s been rubbing everyone up the wrong way, even before their first spray tans have dried,” one insider claimed. “She was desperate to be partnered with Mark, who’s hugely popular, and was dead against Gleb, who’s now out of a job. It’s as if what Maura says goes.” The same source added, “She’s even made sure to get close to judge Bruno Tonioli and wasted no time posing arm-in-arm with him after a night out. It’s not gone unnoticed within the cast that she’s being favoured. It’s as if she’s being set up to win.”
Despite the ongoing drama, Higgins is reportedly set to receive a substantial payday for her participation. Her contract is understood to guarantee a six-figure sum, with earnings increasing based on her longevity in the competition. She is slated to earn approximately £93,000 for the initial weeks, with additional payments for subsequent weeks, potentially reaching over £200,000 if she progresses to the later stages.
Broader Casting Concerns Surface
The casting for this season of ‘Dancing With The Stars’ has drawn scrutiny beyond Higgins’s involvement. Jenna Dewan, a former professional dancer, has also faced criticism, with accusations that her background provides an unfair advantage.
Whispers among contestants and observers point to a broader pattern of casting decisions that may offer some participants an edge. This includes individuals with prior dance experience or strong connections within the entertainment industry. Other notable contestants include Tatyana Ali, whose past role alongside co-host Alfonso Ribeiro on ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’ has been noted, and Harry Shum Jr., who has a background as a professional dancer and performer.
“The cast is definitely whispering about how unfair some of the casting is, especially with Jenna being a former dancer and others having dance experience,” a source commented. “Everyone thinks Jenna Dewan has a very unfair advantage because she is a professional dancer. That is how she began her career. It’s like, ‘Duh, we all know she’s going to win.'”
Dewan herself has addressed these concerns, clarifying her position. “I do not know how to ballroom dance. Let’s be clear. It’s two different languages,” she told Entertainment Tonight. “There’s parts of my dance training that’s helpful, obviously. I’ve learned choreography, I can perform, but there is a certain sense of unlearning for me.”
Further casting discussions have reportedly arisen regarding Tatyana Ali, due to her close relationship with co-host Alfonso Ribeiro from their time on ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.’ There is also a perceived anticipation of certain contestants becoming ‘fan favorites’ due to their existing public profiles or past narratives, leading to some behind-the-scenes skepticism.
Conclusion
As ‘Dancing With The Stars’ prepares for its new season, the spotlight is firmly on Maura Higgins and the controversies surrounding her participation. While Higgins focuses on the demanding training and the pressure to succeed, the show grapples with questions of fairness and casting, setting the stage for a potentially dramatic competition.
