Maura Higgins Impresses on Dancing With The Stars, Audience Eyes Final Spot

Maura Higgins is generating buzz among "Dancing With The Stars" viewers, with many tipping her for a place in the competition's final. Higgins, 35, secured second place on the leaderboard during the show's third week after performing an "exquisite" Quickstep with her professional partner, Mark Ballas, 40.

The duo danced to George Benson's "Turn Your Love Around" for the "Yacht Rock Night" theme. Higgins donned a sparkling white gown with long evening gloves, and her hair was styled in classic Hollywood waves. Judges Derek Hough described her topline as "exquisite" and the dance a "masterclass in elegance," while Bruno Tonioli noted her channeling of classic Hollywood glamour. The performance earned them a score of 22 out of 30.

Viewers took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to express their admiration. Comments included "Maura Higgins is going to be in that final. I am sure of it," "Next level Maura Higgins. Could watch you dance all day!" and "Maura Higgins is an international treasure."

Another viewer wrote, "Literally never would have guessed Maura Higgins would consistently be my favourite star to watch. She's just phenomenal, maybe we got to give her that mirror ball." The sentiment was echoed by others who called her dancing "beautiful" and herself an "icon."

Higgins's performance placed her just behind the top-scoring pair, which was a tie between Amber Glenn and Harry Shum Jr.

Meanwhile, Hanson frontman Taylor Hanson, 43, and his professional dance partner Britt Stewart became the fourth celebrity couple eliminated from the competition. They faced elimination after ending in a three-way tie for the bottom spot with Guillermo Rodriguez and Witney Carson, and Jackson Olson and Emma Slater.

"This has been everything. This has been incredible," Hanson said following the announcement, attempting to maintain an upbeat demeanor despite his partner's visible disappointment.