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How DWTS’ Maura Higgins Built Trust With Mark Ballas After Traitors’ Rob Rausch Burned Her
Mark Ballas didn’t have to buy Maura Higgins a Birkin to gain her trust.
Instead, that confidence between a celebrity and their pro partner is built into the very fabric of Dancing With the Stars—which came as a huge relief for Maura after being betrayed in the Traitors finale by friend Rob Rausch.
“Do you know what?” she exclusively told E! News after the DWTS season 35 cast was announced on Sept. 2. “This is actually a really nice show because I can actually put trust in. Like, I can trust Mark fully because he’s the professional.”
Though her partner—who placed sixth to Maura’s second on The Traitors season four—couldn’t help but quip, “Imagine if you’d have trusted me on Traitors.”
To which Maura retorted, “It’s too late! It’s too late, Mark.”
And indeed, he conceded, “You might not have the Birkin.”
Overall, Maura is relieved to be on a show where, unlike The Traitors they know “no one is out to get you.”
In fact, it’s the feeling of sportsmanship and camaraderie that has already been a huge breath of fresh air for the Love Island U.K. alum.
“I'm not looking at it like competition,” Maura admitted. “I don't want to go into this, like, ‘Oh, like this is a competition.’ I want to just work hard, try my best, learn how to dance, make myself proud, make Mark proud, make my family and friends proud, and just have fun. I just want to enjoy it.”
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After all, for the 35-year-old, getting a chance to be on Dancing With the Stars is nothing short of a dream come true.
“It’s so surreal,” she said. “Like the fact that I’m here—I keep having to pinch myself.”
Maura added, “I just feel very grateful. I’ve been dying to do this show. And already, I’m only one week in, everyone is so lovely. And it’s so true what everyone on the cast says—it’s literally like family.”
And as she and Mark twirl into this new chapter together, they’ll have some of their Traitors family supporting them all along the way.
“Rob Rausch is coming on week one,” Maura revealed. “And Lisa Rinna. And the Birkin.”
For a closer look at the celebrity and pro pairings hoping to sashay their way to the mirrorball trophy, read on.
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Julia Stiles & Ezra Sosa
You won't hate this news—the 10 Things I Hate About You star will be saving the last dance for her pro partner.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Giada De Laurentiis & Alan Bersten
Cha-cha-chopping away... The celebrity chef will be turning up the heat this season.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Harry Shum Jr. & Jenna Johnson
What did you miss on Glee? The actor taking his musical talents to the dance floor.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Taylor Hanson & Britt Stewart
The former '90s teen heartthrob will hope to MMMBop his way to the top of the leaderboard on season 35.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Tatyana Ali & Jan Ravnik
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air actress will be bringing her fresh moves to the dance floor.
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Jenna Dewan & Val Chmerkovskiy
Twenty years after starring in Step Up, the dancer is stepping up to the challenge.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Amber Glenn & Pasha Pashkov
The 2026 Olympic figure skater will take her skills from the ice to the ballroom.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Ezra Frech & Daniella Karagach
The Team USA Paralympic track and field athlete will show off his athleticism on DWTS.
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Sarah Jane Nader & Hailey Bills
After sister Brooks Nader competed on season 33, the Love Thy Nader star is trying her hand.
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Connor Wood & Rylee Arnold
The comedian, also known as Fibula on social media, is ready to earn more applause on DWTS.
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Conner Leavitt & Adele Zaikman
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star is following in the footsteps of wife Whitney Leavitt—who competed on season 34.
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Tyler Cameron & Sharna Burgess
The Bachelor Nation star is trading in roses for rumbas.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Jackson Olson & Emma Slater
The Savannah Bananas baseball player is stepping up to the plate, bringing his dance moves from the diamond to the ballroom.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Guillermo Rodriguez & Witney Carson
The Jimmy Kimmel Live! star is ready to learn some new moves.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Ciara Miller & Brandon Armstrong
The Summer House star is prepping for her turn in the ballrom.
"Looks are not indicative of being in shape," Ciara exclusively told E! News in June. "I do huff and puff going up the stairs, so I gotta get back into the gym and work on my stamina."
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Maura Higgins & Mark Ballas
The Love Island UK alum is hoping her love for DWTS doesn't betray her as she manifested this experience.
"I have a vision board and I redo it every year," she told E! News in May. "This year is the first year that I stayed at home by myself on New Year's Eve. I did not go out at all. I made myself a bowl of pasta and a glass of red wine and I redid my vision board for the year. Dancing With the Stars was already on it from the year before. However, I added five more Dancing With the Stars on the board."
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