Maura Higgins didn't just survive her "Dancing With the Stars" debut — she led the leaderboard by the end of the night. Competing on the second night of the season 35 premiere, Higgins and professional partner Mark Ballas earned a 21 out of 30 for a foxtrot to Alannah Myles' "Black Velvet," the highest score of the eight female celebrities who performed and a tie with the night-one high set by Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson. All three judges, Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli, gave the pair a 7, putting Higgins two points clear of second-place finisher Jenna Dewan.
Mark Ballas getting out of the coffin with the Birkin in hand during Maura's dance how can you not say iconic 🤣👏🏽 #DWTS pic.twitter.com/2w3xBy9Snx
— Giselle//💥⏳ 💍💫 (@giselleb1234) September 17, 2026
The routine leaned fully into Higgins' reality TV history rather than shying away from it. Built around her run on "The Traitors," the number opened with Ballas emerging from a coffin dressed as one of the show's hooded Traitors, and at one point in the choreography he lifted Higgins' real-life burgundy Hermès Birkin bag before tossing it into the studio audience. The bag had the night's voting instructions pinned to it, reading "Text MAURA 21523," turning the prop into a functional part of the broadcast. It landed with Rob Rausch, Higgins' former "Traitors" castmate, who was seated near fellow Bravo personality Lisa Rinna.
Maura Higgins might not have won 'The Traitors' but she did win a Birkin Bag courtesy of Rob Rausch 👏 pic.twitter.com/kzKvnRoXxj
— Chicks in the Office (@ChicksInTheOff) March 5, 2026
The judges were unanimous in their praise. Inaba called the performance "mesmerizing," Hough said the routine felt smooth and in control for a first-time dancer, and Tonioli, who has judged the show for years, said he hadn't seen that quality of movement from a debut performer. Hough added that the strong start raises expectations for Higgins heading into the weeks ahead.
The Birkin cameo carried its own built-in backstory for viewers who followed "The Traitors" earlier this year. Rausch won the show's fourth season by betraying Higgins at the final round table, and he promised on air that he'd use part of his $220,800 prize to buy her a Birkin as an apology. He delivered in March, presenting Higgins with a burgundy Hermès Togo Birkin 30 with gold hardware, estimated between $16,000 and $22,000, during a joint appearance on "Watch What Happens Live." Higgins has said Rinna helped Rausch navigate Hermès' notoriously difficult purchasing process. She accepted the bag on air and declared him forgiven.
Maura Higgins had her beloved Birkin — and her Birkin's daddy, Rob Rausch — front row in the 'DWTS' ballroom as she earned the top score of the night. 😭 pic.twitter.com/2NpdgD1N9F
— Entertainment Tonight (@etnow) September 17, 2026
Bringing that same bag into the "DWTS" ballroom, and building a full plot beat around it, turned Wednesday's performance into more than a strong scorecard. It gave "Traitors" fans a direct callback to one of that show's more talked-about storylines, while giving "DWTS" viewers unfamiliar with the history a self-contained moment built around one recognizable accessory. Combined with the top score of the night, it made Higgins' debut one of the most complete moments of the two-night premiere, pairing genuine competitive momentum with a visual hook that extended well beyond the dance floor.
Season 35 continues next week, with Higgins now sitting at the top of the women's leaderboard heading into her second week of competition. Whether the Birkin makes a repeat appearance remains to be seen, but Wednesday's debut gave her a clear head start on both fronts.
