
Maya Jama has stated that she hopes her Love Island experience will inspire others from “similar cultures” to pursue a career in show business.
The 28-year-old, who formerly dated Stormzy, has a long list of noteworthy professions, including presenting a Radio One show and making regular appearances on Celebrity Juice.
More recently, the host has been in charge of her own shows, often in prime time, such as Peter Crouch: Save Our Summer and the competition series Glow Up: Britain’s Next Make-Up Star.
Maya takes over presenting duties for the first time on winter Love Island, which began this week, after Laura Whitmore left the ITV2 behemoth series last year.
Reflecting on her illustrious career, Maya said: ‘Growing up, I never saw an East African woman host a show, and no Black or mixed-race woman hosts such a big primetime TV show, other than June Sarpong.
‘This is definitely a big moment for all of us in that sense, and I hope it just opens way more doors for other people from similar backgrounds and cultures as myself,’ she continued to Vogue Magazine.
Maya also mentioned that Maura Higgins and Megan Barton-Hanson are two of her favourite Islanders of all time, as is Georgia Steel, who was enraged when Josh Denzel returned from Casa Amor with Kaz Crossley, leaving Georgia unmarried.
She added: ‘Maura was one of my favourite ever contestants – it’s just great to see a powerful, opinionated woman on screen. She’s an ultimate G. I loved Megan Barton-Hanson when she came and just rattled everything.

‘Georgia’s reaction when Josh brought Kaz back in, because no one expected him to bring someone back.
‘Chris [Hughes] and Kem [Cetinay] – that whole series was one of my favourites. Mainly personalities have stuck out. We get some legends from Love Island.’
Maya said she believed she would be a mix of ‘outspoken’ Maura and last year’s winner Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu if she were ever to enter the villa as a contestant.
When asked which Islander she would be most like as a contestant, she explained: ‘I’d be a mix of Maura and Ekin-Su. Maura’s outspoken and I’m a bit fiery myself, but then Ekin-Su’s a Leo like me, so I probably would be like, “Let me just bring some drama, because everyone’s chilling out too much.”‘
Maya Jama’s debut appearance as Love Island host was a huge success, and the diva took to Instagram to thank fans for their overwhelming support.
Uploading several pictures of herself in her already-iconic black cut-out dress, she wrote in the caption: ‘Overwhelmed from last night, thank you so much for you’re kind words.’
Love Island continues tonight at 9pm on ITV2.