Maura is set to follow in the footsteps of huge supermodels like Naomi Campbell and Cindy Crawford.

Maura Higgins has signed a new deal with A-List modelling agency Elite Models, leaving reality-TV behind to pursue a career on the runway. Taking to instagram to announce the news, Maura shared a snap of herself standing outside Elite's London office wearing a white bodysuit and black blazer. https://www.instagram.com/p/CWif-DVjG3r/ Flashing a peace sign to the camera, she wrote "Here's to new beginnings." Elite Models is one of the world's best known modelling agencies, representing numerous superstars such as Kendall Jenner, Cindy Crawford, Claudia Schiffer, Naomi Campbell and Linda Evangelista. The former Love Island star has also got her sights set on making it in the modelling world overseas and will be represented by Elite's sister agency EWG Management in New York and LA. The agency's models feature in campaigns for massive fashion houses like Chanel, Dior and Yves Saint Laurent. Fans and friends rushed to the comments to congratulate Maura and wish her luck on her new endeavour. "Ladies & Gentlemen… ELITE! So so proud of you," one person wrote. "Amazing! And so well deserved," another said. "Absolutely ELITE news this is! So so amazing!!!! Onto big things," a third said. According to MailOnline, Maura had been trying to distance herself from reality TV after her stint on Love Island in 2019 and then her time on Dancing On Ice that same year. After successful brand partnerships with the likes of Anne Summers, insiders revealed that Maura wanted to keep modelling but take her career in a different direction. https://www.instagram.com/p/CWWLThXr5xT/ "Maura has left the management company she signed with after coming out of the Love Island villa," insiders told MailOnline. "They have supported her from the beginning but now she's ready to start a new chapter in her career and wants to focus on modelling. "She's desperate to move away from reality TV – she wants a new challenge and has always thrived off her fashion and beauty campaigns. "It's important for Maura to claim back some of her personal life, her recent breakup from Giovanni hit her hard and she knows for her next relationship to work she will need to keep it private."