OLIVIA Attwood and Maura Higgins donned very similar semi-sheer LBD’s as they stepped out at a swanky awards ceremony in New York.
The former Love Island stars – who have been locked in a high-profile clash centred on their near-identical “copycat” careers – appear to have the same taste in high-end fashion, too.
Previously, Olivia, 34, told fans she was keeping a secret that would “blow your f***ing mind” as she accused someone of copying her.
And the pair’s Red Carpet attire could be seen as another example, with both beauties choosing floor-length garments with an elegant flash of flesh.
Olivia opted for a lingerie-flashing frock paired with glam arm-length leather gloves.
The Bad Boyfriends anchor styled her blonde hair into natural waves, complete with a fringe, keeping her make-up elegant with black lashes and nude lip colour.
Meanwhile, I’m A Celeb alum Maura, chose a dress in a similar fabric, featuring a daring plunging scoop neckline.
The long-sleeve dress, which kept her snug as she posed for photographers at The Plaza, gave a flash of her toned abs.
Meanwhile the dark skirt section, in a thick fabric, added a stylish contrast.
She pulled her locks into a sleek bun with the front section left loose to frame her face.
The pair were high-profile guests at the Glamour Women of the Year event in the Big Apple, which honours female trailblazers.
It also saw the likes of Hollywood star Demi Moore and model Brooks Nader in attendance.
LOCK HORNS
It came just weeks after we exclusively told how the pair’s feud has taken a dramatic new turn.
We reported how Maura, who has been going out of her way to emulate her Love Island rival, has pulled a top-secret move that takes the “copycat” theory to a whole new level, while also tearing open old wounds.
The Sun can exclusively reveal that, behind the scenes, Irish beauty Maura has quietly parted ways with top London PR firm Dundas communications, and signed with global powerhouse Align PR, who also represent Olivia.
This is the second time Maura has done this.
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EVERY year Love Island opens its doors to more sexy Islanders who are hoping for a holiday romance that could turn into more.
Olivia was also previously on books of Dundas – who rep some of the biggest names in showbiz from Billie Piper to Dermot O’Leary and Kate Garraway, when Maura joined them.
Liv then moved over to Align, who mastermind the careers of big US names like Selena Gomez and Madonna, when she started getting more work Stateside.
Insiders tell us this latest development left Olivia stunned – even after everything that has gone before.
“Olivia’s never been Maura’s biggest fan as she always got the sense she was trying to follow in her footsteps, but initially she tried to see it as flattering.
“But when she learned Maura has signed with the same PR company as her, for a second time, she was shocked to say the least. All of us think it’s a total blindside that no one saw coming. Ultimately they are being looked after by separate teams within the company and there is no crossover, but still, it’s all quite bizarre.
“There are so many companies Maura could have signed with, so why did she sign with the same people who are masterminding Liv’s career? It feels like she wants to be the next Olivia, rather than building her own brand in her own lane.”
It’s understood that, publicly at least, Olivia will decline to comment, but privately she’s been left feeling unnerved.
Yet a source told us: “Loads of Liv’s mates have said to her that Maura is obsessed with her.
‘She’s trying to take the high road and not give it too much thought, because at the end of the day she’s super busy and very in demand, but it has left her feeling a bit frustrated.”
MAURA’S SIDE
Indeed, a mate of Maura’s insists she isn’t acting untoward.
“Maura is just moving where the opportunities are,” the friend claims. “Yes, there has been some overlap between her career and Olivia’s but that happens in this industry. Lots of former reality stars are represented by the same people and end up doing similar jobs in the industry afterwards.”
And another chimes in: “The majority of Maura’s work now is out of the US, so it makes sense that she has US-based PR. She has had US PR previously, so this is not a first, and she is re-engaging ahead of her season of Traitors USA.
“The decision to work with Align has nothing to do with Olivia.”
But still, some of Olivia’s mates believe this runs deeper than pure coincidence.
“Maura isn’t naive, she knows how this will look,” spills one pal. “It’s no accident that she has ended up treading on Liv’s toes so much. A lot of us are convinced she aspires to recreate Olivia’s success.
COPYCAT VIBES
Olivia started out in the industry working as a Grid Girl for motorsport events back in 2012.
In 2017, the same year Olivia entered the Love Island villa, Maura was working a Grid Girl herself, appearing at the Formula One finale in Abu Dhabi with energy drink firm, Monster.
Two years later, Maura also transitioned from the racing sidelines to reality TV and tried to find love in the Mallorca sunshine.
After Love Island, the County Longford lass landed her own ITV2 show, Maura Higgins: Are You Joking?, something Olivia had done previously when she and former villa beau Chris Hughes starred in their fly on the wall series, Cracking On.
In 2022, Olivia became the first Love Island star to be booked on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, but was devastated to have to leave on medical ground after just 24 hours.
Then in 2024, Maura repeated this feat by heading to the jungle herself, making the final.
