Maya Jama took over Love Island’s coveted hosting gig from Laura Whitmore in 2023 and has since been catapulted into the spotlight, earning widespread praise from the show’s fans.
Before landing her “dream” role, Maya came from a humble background, growing up in Bristol with her father Hussein and mother Sadie. Her dad was in and out of prison for most of her childhood, after committing a series of violence-related crimes.
Maya decided to stop visiting her dad in prison when she was 12 years old. Speaking to Marie Claire in 2021, the star revealed that growing up without a present father-figure wasn’t something she “sat at home and cried about”.
“Anything that seems tragic or could make people feel sorry for me, I make a joke out of. I guess it’s because I’m OK with it. I’ve accepted it and I don’t want you making me feel like you’re sorry for me,” she explained.
Maya’s challenges continued in 2011 when her 21-year-old boyfriend Rico Gordon was killed by a ricocheting bullet during a gunfight in Bristol. Rico’s mum Anna previously told The Sun that Maya “blamed herself” for the tragedy.
After overcoming her heartache, Maya moved to London in 2012 to pursue a career in media, but initially struggled to earn enough money to travel around the city.
“I was broke, pretending I’d lost my Oyster card every day so I could get to work. Hustling my little way around London, having £1 chicken-shop meals every day,” she told The Sunday Times in 2023.
Maya eventually became a runner at production company Jump Off TV, before hosting its weekly music video countdown. Her experience then earned her a stint on MTV’s The Wrap Up show.
It wasn’t long before Maya started landing primetime TV gigs, which included hosting Simon Cowell’s talent series Walk the Line, The Circle, Don’t Hate the Playaz, BBC Three’s Glow UP, the BRITs and the MOBO Awards.
As well as her illustrious television career, Maya has also made a name for herself selling skincare through her MIJ business. Products notably sold out within a week of the company’s launch in 2021.
Maya has also released two successful clothing collections with PrettyLittleThing, before becoming the new face of Dolce & Gabbana in 2023. She is an ambassador for various brands including Adidas and American hair care brand Aussie. The presenter also signed a multi-million pound deal to replace Kate Moss as Rimmel London’s global brand ambassador.
During her rise to fame, Maya was in a relationship with British rapper Stormzy. The couple split in 2019 after four years together, as they decided to focus on their respective careers.
Two years later, it was reported that Maya was dating NBA player Ben Simmons, with the pair ending their engagement in 2022.
In 2023, Maya and Stormzy rekindled their romance, shortly before jetting off to Greece for a sun-soaked getaway. The couple confirmed their amicable split with a joint statement in July 2024, after spending a year “trying our best to make it work”.
“We still care and respect each other, we are still grateful for the time we’ve had together, and we are still friends and will always be friends,” they added.
Maya is currently on the judging panel of The Masked Singer UK, which airs on Saturday nights on ITV1. She is also set to return to the South African villa for the second series of Love Island: All Stars tonight (January 13) on ITV2.