Maura Higgins' Birkin Bag Steals the Show on 'Dancing With the Stars' Premiere

Maura Higgins made her "Dancing With the Stars" debut on the Season 35 premiere, but it was a high-profile accessory that captured significant attention: a Hermès Birkin bag.

The bag, a gift from "The Traitors" co-star Rob Rausch, made an early appearance during Higgins and professional partner Mark Ballas' Foxtrot routine, set to Alannah Myles' "Black Velvet." As Ballas emerged from a coffin in a "Traitors"-themed segment, he was seen holding the burgundy Birkin before tossing it into the audience.

The bag reappeared later in the episode, held by Rausch in the audience alongside Lisa Rinna. Voting details for Higgins and Ballas were pinned to the accessory.

Social media lit up with reactions to the Birkin's prominent role. Fans expressed delight, with comments on X (formerly Twitter) calling the bag's appearance "first appearance in the ballroom" and its presence during Higgins' dance "iconic." One user noted the significance of Rausch holding the bag with voting information, stating it "actually brought tears to my eyes."

Higgins, Ballas, Rausch, and Rinna were all cast members in the Emmy-winning fourth season of "The Traitors." Rausch famously betrayed Higgins in his strategy to win the competition. He later gifted her the Birkin bag, a promise he had made, with assistance from Rinna.

Higgins and Ballas' Foxtrot performance earned them a score of 21 out of 30, placing them at the top of the leaderboard for the night. The female celebrities and their partners performed a No. 1 song from their birth year during this episode.

The two-night Season 35 premiere concluded with the elimination of "Love Thy Nader" star Sarah Jane Nader and her professional partner, Hailey Bills. The previous night saw the elimination of "Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" star Conner Leavitt.

New episodes of "Dancing With the Stars" air Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+, with subsequent streaming on Hulu.