Maya Jama has become a fixture on British television as the host of Love Island, but her path to that spotlight is anything but ordinary. Born in Bristol to a Somali father and a mother of Scottish and Swedish descent, she grew up navigating a family life marked by her father’s incarceration and her own early losses.
Born: 14 August 1994 · Occupation: TV presenter, radio DJ · Instagram followers: 3 million · Known for: Hosting Love Island (2023–present)
Quick snapshot
- Started as a radio presenter on BBC Radio 1 (Wikipedia)
- Co-hosted Cannonball on ITV (Wikipedia)
- Guest panelist on various shows (Phoenix Magazine)
- Dated rapper Stormzy from 2014 to 2019 (Marie Claire UK)
- Currently single (Vogue UK)
- Has no children (Evening Standard)
Six key details, one pattern: Maya Jama’s background is a mix of public fame and private complexity.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 14 August 1994 |
| Place of Birth | Bristol, England |
| Ethnicity | Somali (Vogue UK) |
| Occupation | TV presenter, radio DJ |
| Known for | Hosting Love Island (2023–present) |
| Instagram followers | 3 million |
Is Maya Jama in a relationship?
Is Maya Jama dating anyone?
- As of 2024, Maya Jama has not confirmed a public relationship. (Yahoo News UK)
- Rumour linked her with NBA player Ben Simmons in 2024, but that ended in 2022. (Yahoo News UK)
- In 2025, a Standard article reported she is dating footballer Rúben Dias, but this is unconfirmed. (Evening Standard)
Maya Jama’s romantic life attracts intense media scrutiny, but she rarely confirms publicly. For fans, the uncertainty is part of her appeal.
Maya Jama’s past relationships
- Relationship with rapper Stormzy from 2014 to 2019. (Marie Claire UK)
- They split in 2019; the reason remains unclear. (Mirror)
The implication: Her longest public relationship defined her early fame, but the split was reportedly amicable. (Yahoo News UK)
Where is Maya Jama from? Ethnicity and Background
Maya Jama’s ethnic background
- Maya Jama was born in Bristol, England on 14 August 1994. (Mirror)
- She is of Somali descent on her father’s side, and Scottish and Swedish descent on her mother’s side. (Vogue UK)
- Her mother is Sadie Li Hadden. (Mirror)
- Her father is Hussein Jama. (Saxafi Media)
Her mixed heritage and Bristol upbringing shaped her identity as a British presenter with a global perspective.
Maya Jama’s parents: Sadie and Hussein Jama
- Her mother Sadie was 19 when Maya was born. (Phoenix Magazine)
- Her father Hussein spent much of her childhood in prison for violence-related offences. (Vogue UK)
- Maya stopped visiting her father at age 12. (Mirror)
- Her mother met her stepfather when Maya was 10. (Yahoo News UK)
The impact of her father’s absence is a recurring theme in her interviews. She has described him as a “bad” man in a Guardian profile, yet acknowledges the complexity of their relationship. (Vogue UK)
Maya Jama’s public resilience stems from a childhood marked by loss and incarceration. Her ability to compartmentalize that pain is a key part of her on-screen warmth.
Is Maya Jama a millionaire?
Maya Jama’s net worth 2024
- Estimated net worth of $1.5 million. (Mirror)
- She is a millionaire by most estimates.
Her income comes from presenting, endorsements, and a strong social media presence. (Mirror)
How Maya Jama makes money
- Love Island hosting salary (undisclosed but likely six figures)
- Brand endorsements on Instagram
- Previous radio work on BBC Radio 1
Maya Jama’s net worth of $1.5 million makes her a millionaire, but her income streams are diverse. For aspiring influencers, her path shows that combining TV with social media can be lucrative.
The pattern: Her income streams are diversified across television, social media, and brand deals.
Did Maya Jama leave Stormzy?
Maya Jama and Stormzy relationship timeline
- Began dating in 2014. (Yahoo News UK)
- Publicly together from 2015 to 2019. (Mirror)
- Split in 2019, with reports of an on-and-off dynamic. (Yahoo News UK)
- In 2024, they briefly rekindled but separated again in July 2024. (Yahoo News UK)
The relationship was one of the most talked-about in UK entertainment. Neither party has publicly confirmed who initiated the split.
Why did Maya Jama and Stormzy break up?
- The exact reason is unclear. (Yahoo News UK)
- Reports suggest it was amicable.
The trade-off: Public relationships come with intense scrutiny, and both have moved on professionally.
Has Maya Jama got a child?
Maya Jama’s children
- She does not have any children. (Mirror)
She has spoken about wanting children in the future, but currently prioritises her career.
Maya Jama’s family planning
- In interviews, she has expressed a desire to have children someday.
The implication: For now, her focus remains on her presenting career and personal growth.
Timeline signal
- : Maya Jama born in Bristol, England (Mirror)
- : Began relationship with Stormzy (Yahoo News UK)
- : Relationship with Stormzy ends (Yahoo News UK)
- : Became host of Love Island
Confirmed facts
- Maya Jama was born in 1994 (Mirror)
- She is a TV presenter and radio DJ (Vogue UK)
- She hosted Love Island from 2023 (Mirror)
- She was in a relationship with Stormzy (Yahoo News UK)
What’s unclear
- Whether she is currently in a relationship
- Exact net worth
- Why she and Stormzy split
- Her relationship with her father
- The exact details of her father’s incarceration
“I’ve always known my dad was a bad man, but I still love him.”
— Maya Jama, Vogue UK
She has said that she started dating Stormzy at age 19 and the relationship was a significant part of her life. (Marie Claire UK)
For Maya Jama, the journey from Bristol to Love Island host has been shaped by loss, resilience, and public scrutiny. The next chapter of her career and personal life will be watched closely by millions. For fans of Maya Jama, the takeaway is clear: her story is one of overcoming a difficult childhood to become one of Britain’s most recognisable TV presenters—and she is just getting started.
en.wikipedia.org, standard.co.uk, uk.news.yahoo.com, heatworld.com, mirror.co.uk, thesun.co.uk, levista.fr
Since her split from Stormzy, Maya Jama has moved on with footballer Ruben Dias, as detailed in Maya Jama and Ruben Dias relationship.
Frequently asked questions
How old is Maya Jama?
She was born on 14 August 1994, making her 30 years old as of 2024. (Wikipedia)
What is Maya Jama’s height?
She is approximately 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm) tall.
Does Maya Jama have siblings?
She has a brother, according to the Mirror. (Mirror)
What is Maya Jama’s Instagram handle?
Her Instagram handle is @mayajama.
Is Maya Jama a Muslim?
She has not publicly confirmed her religious beliefs.
Harry Thompson is Senior Reporter at PublicReport, covering breaking UK news and political stories across the country.