Maura Higgins is reportedly landing a £500,000 deal to host the US version of I’m a Celebrity alongside Rob Rausch in South Africa.
Maura Higgins is continuing her rapid rise in the United States after reportedly landing a major new television role as the host of the US version of I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!.
The Irish reality star, 35, is set to present the upcoming series alongside her The Traitors US co-star Rob Rausch, with the show expected to be filmed in South Africa’s Kruger National Park.
According to a report in The Sun, Higgins has secured a reported £500,000 fee for the high-profile hosting job, giving her another major opportunity as she expands her television career across the Atlantic.
The reported deal comes after a particularly successful year for Higgins, who has steadily built a profile among American audiences following her breakthrough on the UK version of Love Island.
Higgins first became widely known after appearing on Love Island in 2019. Since then, she has established herself as a television personality, presenter and social media star, with her distinctive Irish accent and outspoken personality becoming key parts of her public image.
Her latest US opportunity comes after she competed on The Traitors US, where she reached the final stages of the reality competition and finished as the runner-up in February.
She has also been announced as a contestant on the upcoming season of Dancing With the Stars, where she will be partnered with professional dancer Mark Ballas, the son of choreographer Shirley Ballas.
Maura Higgins continues US television breakthrough
Higgins’ reported I’m A Celebrity hosting role represents another significant step in her attempt to establish herself as a familiar face on American television.
She has already spent years building connections with US audiences, including work connected to Love Island USA.
According to the report, people close to the television star believe her growing popularity in America has helped create lucrative opportunities.
One source described Higgins as being “on fire” and claimed that American audiences have responded particularly well to her personality, fashion sense and Irish accent.
The source also suggested that her authenticity has helped her stand out in an increasingly competitive US entertainment market.
Higgins has previously spoken about her ambitions to build a career in the United States, and she has increasingly divided her time between the UK and America.
She purchased a five-bedroom property in Essex for approximately £1.2 million last year and is currently renting in Los Angeles while working on her growing list of television projects.
With her latest hosting role and upcoming appearance on Dancing With the Stars, however, Higgins could potentially spend even more time in the US.
US version of I’m A Celebrity gets another chance
The upcoming series will mark another attempt to establish I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! as a successful US television format.
Previous American versions have struggled to achieve long-term success.
The first US adaptation was broadcast in 2003 and was filmed in Australia. A second version followed in 2009, this time filmed in Costa Rica.
Neither version continued beyond its first season.
This time, producers are hoping that South Africa will provide the right setting to give the format a fresh start.
The South African location has already been used successfully for ITV’s I’m A Celebrity spin-off programs involving former contestants.
Kruger National Park is also expected to provide the dramatic wildlife and outdoor setting associated with the franchise.
The combination of a recognizable reality television format, an established production team and Higgins’ growing US profile could give the new version a stronger chance of connecting with American viewers.
The show is expected to air through Peacock, NBCUniversal’s streaming service.
Why Maura Higgins could be a good fit
Higgins has experience both in front of the camera and inside reality television, giving her an understanding of the type of personalities who typically take part in shows such as I’m A Celebrity.
Her own reality television background could also help her connect with contestants and viewers.
Since appearing on Love Island, Higgins has developed a reputation for being outspoken and confident, qualities that have helped her become one of the better-known former contestants from the franchise.
Her time on The Traitors US further increased her visibility among American viewers.
The reality competition gave US audiences an opportunity to see Higgins outside the Love Island format, while her run to the final demonstrated her ability to become an important part of a reality television cast.
Her upcoming participation in Dancing With the Stars will provide another opportunity to introduce her to a broader American audience.
The combination of those appearances means Higgins could already have a recognizable profile among the viewers Peacock is hoping will tune into I’m A Celebrity.
A major year for Maura Higgins
The reported £500,000 hosting fee would make the new I’m A Celebrity role another lucrative milestone in Higgins’ increasingly international career.
Her rise has been notable because she has moved beyond the traditional reality television route followed by many Love Island contestants.
Rather than relying solely on social media endorsements and appearances, Higgins has built a career across reality television, presenting and entertainment.
Her growing presence in the US could ultimately make America an important part of her long-term career plans.
The reported hosting role also comes at a time when reality television formats continue to attract significant audiences on streaming platforms.
For Peacock, launching another US version of I’m A Celebrity represents an opportunity to bring a familiar international format to American viewers while using a new location and a new presenting team.
Higgins and Rausch will be tasked with guiding viewers through the South African adventure as celebrities face the challenges associated with life in the wilderness.
Details about the full cast and premiere date have yet to be confirmed.
Higgins’ career continues to expand
The new hosting opportunity could also give Higgins an even larger platform ahead of her Dancing With the Stars debut.
Her involvement in multiple major US programs demonstrates how quickly her profile has grown since she first appeared on Love Island six years ago.
While her Irish roots remain an important part of her identity, Higgins has increasingly become a familiar figure in American entertainment.
Her supporters will now be watching to see whether she can successfully make the transition from reality contestant to television host.
If the new I’m A Celebrity series proves successful, the role could become an important part of Higgins’ career and potentially lead to further opportunities in American television.
For now, her reported £500,000 deal places her at the center of another ambitious attempt to bring the I’m A Celebrity format to the US — and gives the reality star yet another major project on the other side of the Atlantic.