Maya Jama has been catapulted to fame as the host of ITV2’s Love Island as is now gearing up for the show’s All Star spin-off.
The 29-year-old took over the coveted gig from former host Laura Whitmore and hit the ground running, winning rave reviews from fans after hosting two series.
Maya branded the role her ‘dream’ gig after years of climbing the showbiz ladder, which saw her move to London from her native Bristol as a teenager in a bid for stardom, escaping a difficult upbringing and heartbreak to amass a reported £3M fortune.
Her success does not end with TV however as Maya has also branched out into the beauty industry and most recently became the face of Dolce&Gabbana, as well as rekindling her romance with BRIT Award winning rapper Stromzy.
But how did she get here? MailOnline takes a look at Maya’s uphill journey to multi-millionaire and household name.
Maya Jama, 29, has been catapulted to fame as the host of ITV2’s Love Island as is now gearing up for the show’s All Star spin-off
She took over the coveted gig from former host Laura Whitmore and hit the ground running, winning rave reviews from fans after hosting two series
But how did she get here? MailOnline takes a look at Maya’s uphill journey to multi-millionaire and household name (pictured with boyfriend Stormzy)
Humble beginnings
Born in Bristol to her father Hussein and her mother Sadie, Maya faced a tough time during her childhood with her dad in and out of prison.
When she was just two years old, the police came knocking at Maya’s door looking for her father in relation to an attack.
In an interview with Marie Claire in 2021, Maya revealed that growing up without her father present was not something she ‘sat at home and cried about’.
Her dad spent much of her childhood in and out of prison for various sentences but Maya told how anything that seemed sad in her life, she would make a joke out of.
She said: ‘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.
‘If people said, ‘Where’s your dad?’ I’d say, ‘Oh, he’s in jail’ and I’d laugh about it. It wasn’t something I sat at home and cried about.’
She also said that she has a good relationship with her stepfather, and is ‘grateful’ that she has seen his love for her mother after they met when she was 10.
Maya faced yet more heartache when she was just 16, when her boyfriend Rico, 21, was caught in the crossfire of a gunfight in Bristol in 2011.
Born in Bristol to her father Hussein and her mother Sadie (pictured), Maya faced a tough time during her childhood with her dad in and out of prison
Maya faced yet more heartache when she was just 16, when her boyfriend Rico, 21, was caught in the crossfire of a gunfight in Bristol in 2011
Eventually overcoming her heartache, Maya moved to London in 2012 when she was 16, and for many years struggled to even earn enough money to travel to work
‘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 said
His mum Anna previously told The Sun that Maya ‘blamed herself’ for the tragedy, as he had chosen to come and see her on a whim while living in London.
Her big break
Eventually overcoming her heartache, Maya moved to London in 2012 when she was 16, and for many years struggled to even earn enough money to travel to work.
She told The Sunday Times earlier this month: ‘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.
‘But I was happy. I was working and I was living in London, I felt like I was getting somewhere. I’d just work as much as I could.’
The star landed a part-time job at the high street shop Urban Outfitters, and has also been working as a runner for the production company Jump Off.TV.
Eventually, Maya began to host its weekly music video countdown, before moving to TRACE Sports on Sky, and Rinse FM.
In 2014, Maya joined MTV on their show The Wrap Up, and in 2017, she presented the pre-Brit Awards Party as well as a Facebook Live from the red carpet.
Maya (R) landed a part-time job at the high street shop Urban Outfitters, and has also been working as a runner for the production company Jump Off.TV
In December 2021, Maya then landed a primetime gig as the host of Simon Cowell’s glitzy talent series Walk The Line
She also co-hosted Crouchy’s Year-Late Euros show alongside footballer Peter Crouch
She also co-hosted the MOBO Awards on Channel 5, Cannonball in 2017, and the first series of The Circle in 2018.
In December 2021, Maya then landed a primetime gig as the host of Simon Cowell’s glitzy talent series Walk The Line, and she went onto present ITV2’s panel show Don’t Hate the Playaz.
Maya also took over from Stacey Dooley as the host of the BBC Three series Glow Up, and co-hosted Crouchy’s Year-Late Euros show alongside footballer Peter Crouch.
As well as her television work, Maya had a regular slot hosting BBC Radio 1 until 2020, and also appeared alongside Scott Mills until he moved to Radio 2.
But, this year Maya has reached the peak of her career as the host of Love Island’s new series, a gig which reportedly earned former host Laura around £600,000.
Speaking to The Times, Maya gushed that the job is a ‘golden ticket’ for her, and she said yes to the offer ‘straight away’, before she even completed an audition.
Business success
Alongside her television work, Maya has also amassed a fortune selling makeup and drinks through her MIJ business.
Alongside her television work, Maya has also amassed a fortune selling makeup and drinks through her MIJ business
The company has also trademarked her name, meaning she can sell hundreds of products ranging including perfume, air fresheners, hair dyes, scented candles, jewellery, stationary and clothing
The company has also trademarked her name, meaning she can sell hundreds of products ranging including perfume, air fresheners, hair dyes, scented candles, jewellery, stationary and clothing.
In 2021, Maya’s debut skincare range, MIJ, sold out in the first week, with a source telling The Sun: ‘Maya is a shrewd businesswoman and is determined to make a name for herself in the cosmetics market.
‘Her debut skincare range, MIJ, has been a runaway hit, with her face masks selling out in the first week, making her around £250,000 in seven days.’
Big-money campaigns and ad deals
Alongside her own business ventures and TV work, Maya has released two sell-out collections with PrettyLittleThing and modelled for big brands such as Steve Madden.
She then went on to become the new face of luxury Italian brand Dolce&Gabbana in 2023, following in the footsteps of Kim Kardashian.
Believed to be worth thousands, the deal catapulted the Bristol-born beauty to the forefront of fashion around the world.
The stunner was also Vogue’s August 2023 cover star and mingled with A-Listers at the brand’s decadent unveiling of their latest Alta Moda collection in Puglia in July last year, posing for selfies with Dolce himself.
She become the new face of luxury Italian brand Dolce&Gabbana in 2023, following in the footsteps of Kim Kardashian
The TV host posed for selfies with Dolce himself at the brand’s decadent unveiling of their latest Alta Moda collection in Puglia
In August 2023 she became Vogue’s August 2023 cover star
A source close to the star revealed: ‘This is an amazing deal for Maya and it takes her career to the next level.
‘It has been in the works for a while, and she is so happy that it is finally done, and she can tell people. It’s the start of something really big for her and Dolce & Gabbana.’
It came after the glossy mag named her one of their most influential stars in 2019, Maya is also a longstanding ambassador for Adidas, and also appeared in JD Sports’ Christmas campaign for three years.
In 2022 she joined forces with two more major brands Bacardi and McDonald’s, helping launch the fast food chain’s McCrispy in a memorable advert starring Keith Lemon.
Unlucky in Love
In the midst of her rise to fame, Maya was in a long-term relationship with grime superstar Stormzy from 2015 to 2019, but the couple split when she decided to focus on her career.
The rapper always denied infidelity in the relationship but admitted he had to learn hard lessons about his behaviour, describing it as ‘disrespectful’.
Speaking to Louis Theroux in his interview series, the rapper admitted to making mistakes during their four-year relationship but revealed he has since grown.
He explained: ‘My break-up, that was probably the biggest catalyst for growth as a man. It was like, OK, you made a mistake, and you lose someone you loved, someone you cared for, someone who is special to you.
In the midst of her rise to fame, Maya was in a long-term relationship with grime superstar Stormzy from 2015 to 2019, but the couple split when she decided to focus on her career (pictured in 2017)
Then in 2022 Maya also broke off her engagement to basketball star Ben Simmons, after the pair struggled to maintain a long-distance relationship, eight months after getting engaged
A source said: ‘As much as they love each other, their nonstop careers and endless travel have made it incredibly impossible to make it work,’
‘That’s probably the biggest loss a man can have, isn’t it? Away from someone passing away, that’s the biggest loss you can have.’
Then in 2022 Maya also broke off her engagement to basketball star Ben Simmons, after the pair struggled to maintain a long-distance relationship, eight months after getting engaged.
‘While they both care for each other so much, they truly gave it their all and realize that they just come from two different worlds,’ a source told NY POST at the time adding that it was ‘one of the hardest decisions of their lives.’
‘It’s been a difficult time for them,’ the insider went on. ‘They now understand they don’t have the time they thought to dedicate to this relationship.’
‘After many long nights and hours of heartfelt talks, they finally realized as much as they love each other, their nonstop careers and endless travel have made it incredibly impossible to make it work,’ the source added.
Despite calling an end to their romantic relationship, it’s believe the pair hope to stay in each other’s lives, as ‘there is a lot of love between them.’
Rekindled romance
August 2023, saw Maya and Stromzy end months of speculation by confirming that they were well and truly back together after jetting to Greece for a romantic getaway, following their initial split in 2019.
Before the couple were spotted together, Maya had been linked to Hollywood heartthrob Leonardo DiCaprio, 49, despite the pair denying the rumours.
The couple’s reunion was said to be the work of Stormzy’s mother Abigail Owuo, who recently spoke out about whether the rapper and girlfriend Maya will have children.
August 2023, saw Maya and Stromzy end months of speculation by confirming that they were well and truly back together after jetting to Greece for a romantic getaway (pictured in December 2023)
The couple’s reunion was said to be the work of Stormzy’s mother Abigail Owuo, who recently spoke out about whether the rapper and girlfriend Maya will have children
With the grime star is said to have told pals he’s ‘determined’ to show his commitment to the presenter after winning her back
And his mother has hinted starting a family could be on their mind, saying: ‘It’s up to them.’
With the grime star is said to have told pals he’s ‘determined’ to show his commitment to the presenter after winning her back.
And his mother has hinted starting a family could be on their mind, saying: ‘It’s up to them.’
She said: ‘Will they get married and have children? Oh, I don’t know. For now, it’s up to the two of them.’
Insiders told The Sun that their relationship was secretly rekindled a year ago as they were reportedly seen kissing in an extra special VIP area in Germany, days before the GQ bash in London.
The couple dated for four years before parting ways in 2019, with the rapper publicly declaring he had ‘never loved anyone how I’ve loved her’.
Model behaviour
Maya showcased her model credentials after taking over from Kate Moss to be the global brand ambassador for Rimmel London.
Maya showcased her model credentials after taking over from Kate Moss to be the global brand ambassador for Rimmel London
The presenter signed a multi-million pound deal to replace the 49-year-old supermodel (pictured) who had been the role for almost 20 years
The presenter signed a multi-million pound deal to replace the 49-year-old supermodel, who had been the role for almost 20 years.
Showing off her model looks, Maya posed for a stunning photoshoot to debut her partnership with the brand.
Of joining the brand, she said: ‘I grew up with this brand and have dreamed about saying the iconic ‘London look’ line on tv one day and now it’s happening I don’t even have the words, following in the footsteps of Kate Moss, Adwoa and more doesn’t even make sense in my mind but I am honoured.
’16-year-old me who moved to london from Bristol with a bag of dreams would not have believed you if you said 12 years later I would be a part of such a legendary London staple.
‘London is my home and now you can catch me living the London Look’.
