Maura Higgins made a notable appearance at the US Open in New York on Monday, accessorizing her ensemble with a distinctive Chanel tennis racket bag. This sighting comes shortly after the announcement that Higgins will host the upcoming reboot of the dating show "Blind Date."
Higgins, 35, is set to take on the role of host for the "Blind Date" revival, stepping into the shoes of the late Cilla Black. The show is scheduled to return to screens next year. In addition to this, the Irish television personality is also slated to compete on "Dancing With The Stars" this autumn, with filming for the "Blind Date" reboot planned for later this year.
Her presence at the US Open, where she was seen in a light grey Chanel co-ord set, white headband, and white-rimmed sunglasses, aligns with her ongoing presence in the United States. Higgins had flown into New York from Los Angeles, where she had been training for "Dancing With The Stars." Her appearance at the event was facilitated by IHG Hotels & Resorts, the official hotel partner of the US Open.
The "Blind Date" hosting gig signifies a significant step in Higgins's television career. Her rise began after participating in the reality dating show "Love Island" in 2019. She has since hosted "Love Island US: Aftersun" and appeared as a contestant on "The Traitors US."
According to Angela Jain, head of content at Disney+ EMEA, Higgins was selected for the "Blind Date" role due to her "straight-talking humour" and experience in reality dating shows. Jain stated that Higgins possesses the "gravitas plus the wit to bring Blind Date to new audiences."
The upcoming "Blind Date" reboot aims to retain the original format, where contestants select potential dates from behind a screen based on their answers. However, the new iteration is expected to incorporate "innovative format twists and a spicy dose of drama" to appeal to contemporary viewers. The show's revival was first reported last June, with earlier rumors linking other personalities to the hosting role.
Prior to her "Blind Date" announcement, Higgins gained further traction after reaching the final of "The Traitors US." Her prior television credits also include "Dancing On Ice," "Glow Up Ireland," "Supermarket Sweep," and appearances on the "National Television Awards" and "Loose Women."