Irish reality star Maura Higgins has revealed she has forgiven her “Traitors US” co-star who betrayed her in the show’s dramatic finale — after he surprised her with a luxury Hermès Birkin handbag worth around $16,000 (€14,000).
The 35-year-old finished runner-up on the reality competition The Traitors US, losing out on the £165,000 prize when fellow contestant Rob Rausch revealed he was secretly a Traitor during the final moments of the show.
However, Rausch, 27, made good on a promise to apologise by gifting Higgins the designer bag during an appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen hosted by Andy Cohen.
During the March 5 episode, Cohen even asked the studio audience whether they would forgive someone if they bought them a Birkin bag. Moments later, Rausch stood up, put on gloves and produced the iconic orange Hermès box containing the luxury gift.
“I didn’t really know a lot about Birkins,” Rausch admitted as he presented the handbag. “No one has touched this bag. Only the owner is supposed to touch it first.”
The bag — a burgundy Hermès Togo Birkin 30 with gold hardware — left Higgins visibly stunned as she opened the box. Covering her face in disbelief, she carefully lifted the bag from its dust cover before hugging her former rival.
Cohen joked from the sidelines: “All is forgiven.”
Higgins quickly agreed, telling Rausch: “You’re forgiven.”
Showing off the handbag on the show, Higgins laughed that the designer item was her real victory from the competition.
“See this is my win. I knew I’d have my moment,” she said. “I love her. She’s beautiful.”
The former Love Island star also poked fun at herself for failing to realise Rausch was a Traitor during the series, wearing a T-shirt reading “I’m dumb?” on the programme.
Speaking later to Elle about the dramatic finale, Higgins admitted she was completely blindsided.
“The crazy thing about it is, I always have something to say,” she said. “And in that moment I was genuinely speechless. I couldn’t speak.”
Despite missing out on the prize money, Higgins said she has no regrets about the experience.
“Honestly, winning best-dressed of the castle, being runner-up on a show that I have never watched, and getting a free Birkin — for me, that’s a win,” she said. “I genuinely don’t need anything else.”
The TV star was later photographed leaving the Bravo studios in New York wearing a striking white outfit with a dramatic fur collar and cuffs, proudly carrying the coveted handbag.
Meanwhile, Higgins’ film debut in The Spin has had a slow start, reportedly taking just £12,000 during its opening weekend in the UK and Ireland.
