Love Island
The Islander’s beauty pageant pal is hoping her Prince Charming is on his way
Maura Higgins has been TV gold ever since she burst into the Love Island villa. From her industrial strength flirting with Tommy Fury to savagely dumping Tom Walker, the Irish model and ring girl is frequently at the centre of the drama.
Maura, 28, spiced things up once again last week when she told newly single Curtis Pritchard that she fancied him – just days after he cooled things off with Amy Hart. But, although it seems she’s got her eye on the dancer, her beauty pageant pal Laura Fox thinks she deserves much better. “Maybe she’s just looking at the selection right now and thinking that Curtis is the right one out of everyone there,” she told new!. “But I still think her Prince Charming is on the way.”
Laura, also from Ireland, first met Maura in 2014 when they both entered the Miss Sunday World beauty pageant and she says they’ve stayed in contact ever since.
“What we’re seeing on the show right now, is exactly how she is,” Laura says. “She’s gorgeous and such a nice person.”
Here, Laura, 28, describes her friend’s ideal man and how she’s hoping Maura can win the show on her own…
Hi Laura! How do you think Maura is getting on?
It was very bland before she came in. She’s been a breath of fresh air. But I feel really bad because she hasn’t found anyone yet.
What do you make of her and Curtis?
I don’t know if I’m buying it. She deserves someone who is going to be good fun – and I don’t think that is Curtis.
Is she the kind of girl who will go out and get something if she really wants it?
I think so, but [with Curtis] Maura is probably looking at the bigger picture and thinking, “Why not chance it?”
Out of all the guys in there, who would you put her with?
I wish Anton was her type looks-wise because they gel really well. He is the nicest guy in there and so much fun, but I don’t think she’ll ever get past the fact he shaves his legs!
What would her ideal guy look like?
She needs someone who is tall, muscly and aesthetically pleasing. But she’s not snobby when it comes to looks. She just needs someone who is on the same level as her.
What was she like when you did the beauty pageant together?
We just clicked instantly. She was so much fun and there was no bullshit with her. From then, we’ve stayed in touch and she’ll message me stuff like, “You’re absolutely rocking it.” What I like the most about her is that she’s one of those people you would call if you needed help.
Did you go on any crazy nights out together?
We got absolutely hammered on the night of the Miss Sunday World final. There was loads of wine backstage and they told us we could have a couple of drinks afterwards, but we downed a bottle before. We were like, “Oh crap! Now we have to go out on stage.”
Was she with her ex-fiancé James Finnegan at the time?
Yeah. I met him and he was lovely. I don’t know how or why it ended, but at the time she was very much in love and he was The One for her. Even on the show, she always says she’s a relationship kind of girl and I think she really is.
Do people misjudge her?
Totally. I need to hold my hands up as well because I was mortified with the Tommy thing at the beginning. I was like, “Stop!” But as it unfolded, I thought, “Go for it!”
Hollywood star Amy Schumer said she’s a huge Maura fan. Will she be happy about that?
Who wouldn’t love that?! I think that’s my favourite thing ever. It’s absolutely amazing.
Could Maura win the show?
I’m praying she does. I don’t care who it’s with, I just want her to win and steal all the cash for herself!