Maura Higgins Earns Top Score on 'Dancing With the Stars' Amidst Emotional Rehearsals

Maura Higgins achieved the highest score of the current 'Dancing With the Stars' season, earning the first nine from the judges during Tuesday night's episode. The reality television personality and her professional partner, Mark Ballas, performed a waltz to "If It's Over," earning praise for its classic execution.

Judges Carrie Ann Inaba and Derek Hough commended the performance, with Inaba describing it as transporting her "to another world" and Hough appreciating its "classic waltz" style without "gimmicks." The score of nine, alongside two eights, marked a significant achievement for Higgins, particularly following a challenging previous week.

Earlier in the season, Higgins, 35, disclosed on Alix Earle's podcast that she had been experiencing emotional distress during rehearsals, even admitting to "crying in the toilets" due to the judges' and trainers' critiques. She shared that the constant feedback, focusing on minute corrections like hand placement and posture, made it difficult to feel a sense of accomplishment. "I don't usually cry, I'm more of a suffer in silence girl," Higgins stated. "I usually wait until I get home and I can't hold in my tears and it's week two, I don't know what's happening."

Higgins also revealed that she feels additional pressure on the show because she has no prior formal dance training. She described her partner Mark as being supportive during rehearsals while also delivering critical feedback. "He's like in the rehearsal room going, 'What's that? Why is your hand like that and what's with the pigeon feet?'" she recounted.

Despite the reported difficulties, Higgins has been considered a favorite to win the competition after two strong initial dances. Her performance during "Yacht Rock Night" in week three, a Quickstep to George Benson's "Turn Your Love Around," also drew significant attention and praise from viewers.

Meanwhile, Summer House star Ciara Miller and her partner Brian Armstrong were eliminated from the competition at the end of Tuesday's episode. They had opened the show with a jazz routine.