Longford native Maura Higgins has been named as one of Time Magazine’s top 100 creators of 2026. Time 100 “highlights digital creators across multiple domains, celebrating their impact on culture, entertainment, education, and social influence”.
The American magazine explained how Higgins “became a fan favourite because for her deep Irish brogue, straight up delivery and cheeky sense of humour”.
The reality star was born in 1990 in Ballymahon, where she attended a school with just three other people. Higgins has described the school as resembling a “shed”. She left school at 16 to become a hairdresser, but instead became a brand ambassador for Monster energy drinks and then a ring girl in the boxing world.
When Love Island came around in 2019, Higgins described her decision to participate as a way to get revenge against an ex-boyfriend.
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Love Island eats up and spits out many of its competitors, however Higgins has become a rare exception to this. Lucrative deals and opportunities were waiting for her when she returned to Ireland despite not winning the competition.
Higgins has had many titles in her life, a Monster girl, a ring girl, a Love Island bombshell. Now she finds herself with a new one: Time 100 most influential creator.
So what is it about the Longford woman that continues to win over audiences? And could a recent move into acting signal where her career might go next?
In today’s episode of the In the News podcast, journalist Kate Demolder discusses Higgins’ rise to stardom.
Presented by Bernice Harrison, produced by Andrew McNair and Suzanne Brennan.
