'I have a video of myself on my phone that nobody has seen', explains Maura Higgins over the phone. If a certain kind of man was eavesdropping our conversation then their blood pressure might rise exponentially. But she's talking about that kind of video. 'If they did, they'd be petrified.' She continues. I'd just asked her if she'd every pursue a role in a horror film. 'A lot of close friends say I can act out the girl from The Ring, and it's creepy', she continues. 'If that video of me got out, people would be terrified. I'd be really good in a horror movie.'
Slasher movies are not necessarily the obvious topic of choice when talking to the Love Island star, who grabbed the attention of the nation in 2019 thanks to her time spent on the reality TV romance. But her post-show career has seen her work with high street lingerie brand Ann Summers, with the latest campaign arriving in time for Halloween. Hence: horror movies. 'I used to be a horror fan but now I just feel like, "no". I don't get scared, so there's no point. I like more realistic things - like true stories.' Who needs horror when 2020 has thrown so much at us, right?
'Lockdown has been quite strange for everyone,' she concedes. 'But for me, I actually enjoyed the time to myself. Since I came out of the villa, I haven't had much of a break. Lockdown was a breather, to reflect on everything I've done. Now though, I'm like come on! I'm definitely ready to just be out all the time, and go to events and all the rest.' She kept sane - and in physical shape - by following Joe Wicks' famous YouTube videos. 'I'm not one who loves exercise. So I'd rather just get it done quickly', she says.
Maura's work with Ann Summers is, for her, a 'pinch-me' moment. 'They promote female sexual empowerment, which, obviously I'm very passionate about it', she says. 'I definitely own myself. I never feel powerless. There is never a moment where I have doubt. I feel like confidence is from within. Once you get there, that's going to show to everyone else.' She cites Rihanna as top of her list if she ever got the chance to recruit a star for a campaign. 'She is the definition of female empowerment,' she suggests. 'I think we can all agree on that.'
For Maura, a campaign with Ann Summers does seem a pretty organic collaboration. She shocked and delighted Love Island viewers simply be displaying something rarely seen on television: honesty and frankness when talking about desire and arousal. The phrase 'fanny flutters' went viral, and may be forever associated with her. 'I've never felt uncomfortable talking about any of that type of stuff', she explains. 'Like, it's a natural thing and it's just never bothered me really. I've noticed now that a lot more people are feeling more comfortable talking about all of that stuff, which is great. I think everyone should be.' I suggest that she may have had a real hand in this, and ask if people approach her to applaud her for removing the stigma attached to women who enjoy sex and don't mind saying it.
'A lot of people have, actually', she confirms. 'Honestly, I could have cried the first time a young girl said that to me. I couldn't believe it.'
The purpose of this latest campaign, though, may feel slightly dampened by our inability to go to parties this Halloween, or even meet friends in a larger group than six. 'It's such a shame', she proclaims in exasperation. 'I have dressed up a lot over the years. It's a chance to look as sexy as we can and not get judged for it, which I love. I mean, I really want to dress up, I think everyone does.' She would never, she says, mimic Cady Heron in Mean Girls, who shows up to a party dressed as a zombie bride, unaware of the unofficial rules of Halloween in teen world. 'What Lindsay Lohan done, I would not do that', she laughs. 'I would be in the bunny costume.'
Maura Higgins fronts the Ann Summers Halloween campaign, in store and online at www.annsummers.com
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