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DWTS: Maura Higgins Opens Up On Beating Julia Stiles In Emotional Exit

By Louise Ducrocq
04/11/2026
Est. Reading: 2 minutes

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Maura Higgins. Photo credit: Ovidiu Hrubaru, Shutterstock

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Maura Higgins has secured another week on Dancing with the Stars in the US, but admitted the latest results show was an emotional one after actress Julia Stiles was sent home.

The Longford native was among the contestants fighting to keep their place in the competition during Monday night's Disney on Broadway-themed episode.

Dressed as Tinkerbell, Higgins joined professional partner Mark Ballas on the dancefloor for a jive to You Can Fly! You Can Fly! You Can Fly! from Disney's Peter Pan.


The performance earned the pair 32 points out of 40, with all four judges awarding them eight points each.

They later returned to the ballroom for a group routine with Team Slaytopia, picking up another 36 points.

However, their overall tally of 68 points left them at the bottom of the leaderboard, putting their future in the competition in doubt.

As the results were revealed, Higgins and Ballas were left awaiting the final announcement alongside actress Julia Stiles and her professional partner Ezra Sosa.

Stiles and Sosa were ultimately sent home, meaning Maura has made it through to another week of the competition.

Speaking to ET after the results, Higgins joked about the pressure of the evening, admitting it had been difficult to face the possibility of leaving.

"It's hard to describe. It was Tinker-hell!" she said.


She also reflected on the emotional moment when she discovered she had beaten Stiles, paying tribute to the actress and her efforts throughout the competition.

"In that moment, we just felt sad for Julia. She gave it her all. She was injured as well. To come out and give a performance like that - wow," Maura said.

The result comes just a week after the former Love Island star impressed the judging panel with a contemporary routine inspired by The Lost Boys during Horror Movie Night.

Her performance earned high praise from judge Derek Hough, who described her as a "phenomenal performer".

With another elimination behind her, Maura will now prepare for the next round as she continues her bid to win the competition.

Louise Ducrocq

Written by Louise Ducrocq

Louise is an expert content creator, and online author for Ireland's Classic Hits Radio. She's evolved in a few different fields, including mental health and travel, and is now excited to be part of the wonderful word of Radio.

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