Maura Higgins had 'very dark thoughts' after Love Island
Maura Higgins has opened up about having' dark thoughts' after leaving Love Island in 2019.
The show catapulted her to fame but behind it all, she was struggling to cope. Maura opened up about how she joined the show as a 'revenge strike' after her ex cheated on her and wasn't looking for love.
She was also completely unprepared for the pressure of suddenly leaving home and being in the public eye, and at her lowest point, she admits that she didn't want to be here anymore.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Anthony Harvey/REX/Shutterstock (14801327ul) Maura Higgins Pride of Britain Awards, Arrivals, London, UK - 21 Oct 2024Chatting to Paul C. Brunson on his podcast We Need To Talk, Maura said: 'Life after Love Island was a very hard time in my life.
'I was dropped to the UK. It was like someone just picked me up, dropped me to the UK and I was in the public eye. I had nowhere to live. I had no friends, no family, nobody I could trust.'
She went on to explain how she had always been very independent but that this was another level again.
Maura said: 'That was scary. Very, very scary. I remember a lot of times I was faking a smile. Work was so busy. I was getting barely any sleep.
'I was chased by the paps everywhere I went. I had no clothes. I had a suitcase with just Love Island bikinis that were probably crusty.'
At the time she was living out of a hotel as she had nowhere to live and was saying yes to every opportunity that came her way. Eventually, it became too much.
Maura recalled: 'People will say, "Why didn't you say no? " But you're in this new world... I had a breakdown. I had dark thoughts, very dark thoughts.
'And it got to the stage where I don't even think I told my mam. I tell my mam everything. I didn't tell her how bad it was.
'I didn't want to be here anymore. I thought that was going to be the best thing. There was so much expected from me. And because I was there on my own I was like "I've just nobody to help.'
It was her friend back home who proved to be her saviour. She called Maura's agent behind her back and demanded that the reality star come back to Ireland for a break.
Being around home comforts and those closest to her helped her to get back on track.
Her appearance on the podcast comes as it was revealed that Maura will replace Tommy Fury on I'm A Celebrity.
