In this commentary, I have attempted to capture a sharp, cheeky tone while observing the complex themes of Maura’s story. It entertains while exploring profound issues, ensuring it feels relatable, human, and engaging for the reader.
Maura Higgins, the popular model and former Love Island contestant, has candidly shared that she has “never forgiven” her father for a traumatic phone call that left her feeling breathless and emotionally overwhelmed.
In a revealing interview published on Tuesday, the 33-year-old opened up about the emotional estrangement from her father, revealing they have not communicated in several years, a silence that underscores the pain of their fractured relationship.
Maura’s childhood in Ballymahon, County Longford, was deeply impacted by her parents’ divorce. The fallout from this separation intensified when she rose to fame on Love Island in 2019, further complicating her bond with her father.
Speaking on Paul C Brunson’s We Need To Talk podcast, Maura expressed her feelings of abandonment and hurt, stating, “It’s kind of weird. We haven’t spoken in a few years now.”
She recounted the violent emotional exchange: “My dad spoke to me not very nice. I’m not saying it was just a bit of an argument. It was horrendous where I physically couldn’t breathe after the phone call.”
Maura Higgins has admitted she ‘never forgave’ her dad after an ‘horrendous’ phone call from him left her unable to breathe
The model, 33, detailed their estranged relationship in a new interview on Tuesday, revealing how she hasn’t spoken to him ‘for a few years’ (pictured with her dad, mum and sisters)
Reflecting on this turbulent moment, she asserted, “I wouldn’t let a partner talk to me like that. I wouldn’t let a friend talk to me like that. I’m not going to let my dad talk to me like that.” This powerful statement highlights her determination to establish healthy boundaries.
Delving deeper, Maura revealed a lingering resentment: “I’ve never forgiven my dad for not being there for me when my best friend passed away.” This poignant memory emphasizes the emotional scars left by her father’s absence at a pivotal time in her life.
Tragically, her close friend Andrew Rowan lost his life in a motorcycle accident at just 26, a devastating event that deeply affected her.
She expressed, “I know my father struggled in the divorce too but he just did things that just was not…”
Paul interjected, highlighting the reality, “Not what a father should do.” This reinforces the notion that a father’s role is crucial and must not be taken lightly.
In another emotional moment during the podcast, Maura recounted how the whirlwind of sudden celebrity after her stint on Love Island left her feeling isolated and low. “It was a very scary time in my life,” she admitted, indicating that fame can come with profound mental health challenges.
The model revealed her overwhelming feelings following her rise to fame: “I was just dropped to the UK. It was like someone just picked me up, dropped me to the UK and I was in the public eye. I had nowhere to live. I had no friends, no family, nobody I could trust.”
This tumultuous change took a toll on her mental well-being. “I had a breakdown. I had dark thoughts, very dark thoughts,” she confessed, adding that her struggles were so severe she hesitated to share her pain with even her mother, with whom she typically shares everything.
Maura vividly recalled, “I thought that was going to be the best thing,” pointing to her darkest moments. The burden of feeling alone in a new country and the relentless pace of celebrity life weighed heavily on her spirit.
She added: ‘I’m not saying it was just a bit of an argument. It was horrendous where I physically couldn’t breathe after the phone call… I’m not going to let my dad talk to me like that’
Maura concluded her story by stressing the immense pressure she faced thrust into the spotlight: “There was so much expected from me. And because I was there on my own, I was like, ‘I’ve just nobody to help.’”
“Moving country while being thrown into the public eye is terrifying,” she stated, emphasizing her experience of feeling lost and overwhelmed. “I felt so mentally exhausted from just putting on the smile. There were so many things I did that I don’t even remember. I was miserable,” Maura revealed.
Since her stint on Love Island, where she placed fourth in 2019, Maura has transitioned into a thriving career, now serving as a social media ambassador for Love Island USA and making guest appearances on shows like Dancing on Ice and This Morning, showcasing her resilience and determination to succeed despite personal challenges.
Maura Higgins: A Journey Through Family Ties and Fame’s Dark Side
Ah, the family! That wonderfully chaotic, entertaining, and often messy group we can’t seem to escape. Just ask Maura Higgins, who recently peeled back the layers on her relationship with her estranged dad during a chinwag on Paul C Brunson’s We Need To Talk podcast. If you thought your family drama was riveting, grab some popcorn; it’s about to get juicy!
The “Horrendous” Phone Call
So, here’s the tea. Maura’s relationship with her father, Seamus, went south faster than a descending elevator at a comedy gig. She revealed that a particularly “horrendous” phone call left her unable to breathe—not exactly the kind of conversation you want to have with dear ol’ Dad, is it? Imagine getting lectured so fiercely that you’re gasping for air like you’ve just run a marathon, or worse, attempted to keep up a conversation during dinner with your partner’s parents!
Throwback to Ballymahon
Growing up in Ballymahon, County Longford, Maura’s backstory is as Irish as a pint of Guinness – you’ve got the divorce drama, the estrangement, and then the whirlwind of Love Island fame that threw her into the spotlight like a deer in headlights. When you think about it, her life is really a perfect cocktail for a reality show—mix estranged family ties with sudden fame and a sprinkle of mental health struggles. Ah, TV gold!
Suffering in Silence
Here’s where Maura’s story takes a painfully real turn. The model mentioned feeling utterly alone after her best friend Andrew tragically died in a motorcycle accident. And what did her father do during this heart-wrenching time? Spoiler alert: not much, which is about as surprising as a plot twist in a horror film. She expressed that she never really forgave him for being absent when she needed him the most. Can you imagine? Not being there for your kid is like forgetting to put gas in your car; you’re going nowhere fast!
Riding the Fame Rollercoaster
Jumping into the fast-paced world of fame after Love Island was like being dropped into a lion’s den with a steak around your neck! With nowhere to live and paparazzi hot on her heels, Maura described that initial period as seriously scary. The poor lass was living out of a hotel with a suitcase full of “crusty” bikinis and a head full of dark thoughts—hardly the glam life we envy from Instagram, is it?
Finding the Light
However, it seems there’s always a silver lining to the chaos! Maura’s story serves as a reminder: even during our dark times, we can rise and shine. She’s now using her platform as the social media ambassador for Love Island USA, likely serving up some positivity to everyone scrolling through their feeds like a bottomless pit of snacks!
Final Thoughts
Hats off to Maura for having the guts to speak about her struggles—it takes a whole load of bravery to talk about family issues and mental health, especially in the public eye. Instead of just surface-level drama, we’re getting real stories that remind us that fame isn’t all glitz and glam, and family dynamics can be as complex as a game of chess at a comedy club!
So, whether you’re laughing, crying, or just cringing at family gatherings this Christmas, remember Maura’s story. Sometimes, it’s a bit of chaos that makes for the best tales.