Olivia Attwood Brands Maura Higgins a 'Stalker' Over Alleged Career Copying
Former Love Island stars Olivia Attwood and Maura Higgins are reportedly embroiled in a bitter feud, with sources claiming Attwood has privately labelled Higgins a 'stalker' for allegedly mirroring her professional path. The tension comes as Attwood, 34, navigates her recent split from footballer husband Bradley Dack, adding to her sensitivity over the situation.
Sources Reveal Private Frustrations and Public Snubs
Friends close to Olivia Attwood say she has vented frustration about Maura Higgins stepping into similar career spaces, with the similarities becoming increasingly hard to ignore. The pair have reportedly become skilled at ignoring each other at red carpet events and parties, with no love lost between them. A source told The Sun: 'Olivia is obviously going through a lot at the moment and trying to piece her life back together, but she has been left bemused that Maura has continued to mirror her playbook. She even jokes with her friends that Maura is her stalker.'
Recent Incidents Fuel the Feud
The latest alleged incident occurred when Maura Higgins, 35, currently appearing on the US version of The Traitors, shared an Instagram photo with Parisian fashion influencer Michael Coste. This post came just days after Olivia Attwood had posted a near-identical image with him, sparking further irritation. This follows a pattern of professional overlaps, including both women signing with the same PR agencies and securing similar media opportunities.
Background of Career Parallels and Personal Turmoil
Olivia Attwood first appeared on Love Island in 2017, two years before Maura Higgins. Sources claim Attwood became irritated last year when Higgins signed with PR agency Align, which specialises in developing careers in the US, as Attwood had been working with them first. Both were previously represented by Dundas Communications, leading to awkward situations where they were put forward for similar opportunities. Attwood is said to have moved on due to the uncomfortable overlap.
Their professional similarities have extended to shoots for The Times and regular appearances on reality and daytime television, including both competing on I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! and growing their profiles in the US. Awkwardness reportedly peaked at the Glamour Women of the Year Awards in New York last November, where they arrived wearing strikingly similar black dresses.
Divorce and Emotional Struggles Add to the Strain
Olivia Attwood's personal life has been tumultuous, with her marriage to Bradley Dack ending after a reported 'breach of trust'. In an Instagram Story at the end of January, she shared a photo of boxes in her new home, having moved out of her marital property. She wrote: 'I cry myself to sleep, then business as normal when the alarm goes off at 5am and it has been like that for a long time.' This emotional backdrop is said to make her more sensitive to Higgins' actions.
Pete Wicks Complicates the Dynamic
Another source of tension is Pete Wicks, who dated Maura Higgins in 2024, the same year he competed on Strictly Come Dancing. Their relationship ended after six months, with Higgins later suggesting he had 'probably cheated'. Following their split, Wicks announced a new Kiss FM radio show, The Sunday Roast, co-hosted with Olivia Attwood. Sources claim Higgins was unhappy about their friendship and questioned his decision to work with Attwood, feeling his loyalties should lie with her.
A source explained: 'Pete didn’t help the situation with Maura and Olivia, as Maura wasn’t happy with their friendship. She asked him if he really had to do the radio show with Olivia, as she felt his loyalties should lie with her. The whole situation left her feeling uneasy.'
As both women continue to navigate their careers in the public eye, this feud highlights the competitive and often overlapping nature of celebrity industries, with personal and professional lines frequently blurred.
