Former Love Island contestant Maura Higgins has relocated to Los Angeles to compete on ABC's Dancing With The Stars. Her arrival in California has been marked by both personal mishaps and a public disagreement with professional dancer Gleb Savchenko.
Ten bags and a broken mirror: Maura Higgins' Los Angeles arrival
The transition to life in California was not without its logistical hurdles for the 35-year-old star. As reported by the Daily Mail, Higgins traveled with ten pieces of luggage and even dealt with the frustration of a broken mirror during her packing process. Upon landing in Los Angeles this past Tuesday, the star did not have time for rest, immediately transitioning into a professional fashion shoot to kickstart her American career.
Higgins' departure from the UK was a sentimental affair, involving a farewell weekend with close friends that included karaoke and drinks. Before her flight, she shared images of American-themed gifts from her inner circle, including an AI-generated image depicting her holding the coveted Dancing With The Stars trophy.
The Gleb Savchenko snub and the Brooks Nader connection
Controversy has already surrounded Higgins' participation in the show due to her public stance on professional dancer Gleb Savchenko. Higgins expressed a strong desire to avoid being paiired with Savchenko, citing her disapproval of his past comments regarding women. She also emphasized her loyalty to Brooks Nader, a 29-year-old former contestant who previously dated Savchenko.
Gleb Savchenko has responded to these allegations by dismissing the importance of the critique. In a statement to the Daily Mail, Savchenko claimed he had never heard of Higgins before this controversy erupted. He characterized her public comments as an attempt to generate headlines before the competition officially begins, stating that he will not "lose any sleep" over the opinions of someone he has never met.
The 2024 fallout between Savchenko and Brooks Nader
The tension between the parties is rooted in the complicated romantic history between Savchenko and Brooks Nader. According to reports from US Weekly, the couple's relationship, which began during their time on Dancing With The Stars in 2024, was marked by instability and a "messy" split.. This history was further complicated when Savchenko made disparaging remarks about his intimacy with Nader during a conversation with Dakota Mortensen.
This pattern of public fallout is a recurring theme in the ballroom's history, where professional partnerships often blur into personal drama. The relationship between Savchenko and Nader saw multiple breaks and reconciliations,including a period where Nader's family expressed concern over the intensity and frequency of Savchenko's presence at her home.
Will Valentin Chmerkovskiy be the partner Maura Higgins seeks?
While Higgins has made her preferences known,the official casting for the ABC show remains a point of speculation. Higgins has publicly teased the possibility of being paired with Valentin Chmerkovskiy, a fellow professional dancer, in a video shared with her followers. However,it remains unverified whether the show's producers will honor her preference or if she will be forced into a partnership that conflicts with her stated values.
Beyond the specific pairing of Higgins and Chmerkovskiy, several questions remain regarding how the production will manage the brewing tension. it is currently unknown if Savchenko will address the specific nature of Higgins' complaints regarding his views on women, or if the production will attempt to mediate the conflict behind the scenes to avoid further tabloid scrutiny.
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