If you’ve been watching British television over the past few years, there’s one name that keeps coming up Maya Jama. Whether she’s strutting onto the Love Island villa in a jaw-dropping outfit or lighting up a red carpet, Maya has become one of the most recognisable faces in the UK. But who is Maya Jama, really? Where is she from, how did she get famous, and what’s the story behind her rise to the top? Let’s get into it.
Who Is Maya Jama?
Maya Jama is an English television presenter and radio DJ who has become a true household name in British entertainment. Born Maya Indea Jama on 14 August 1994, she grew up in St Paul’s, Bristol, before moving to London as a teenager to chase her dreams. From presenting small music shows online to hosting one of the UK’s biggest primetime reality series, Maya’s journey is the kind of story that genuinely inspires.
She is best known today as the host of ITV2’s iconic dating show Love Island, a role she took on in 2023. Since then, she’s only gone from strength to strength — proving that talent, charm, and a great wardrobe can take you a very long way indeed.
Early Life & Background: Where Is Maya Jama From?
So, where is Maya Jama from? She was born and raised in St Pauls, Bristol, England — a vibrant, culturally rich neighbourhood known for its strong community spirit.
Maya Jama’s Ethnicity
What ethnicity is Maya Jama? Maya has a mixed heritage that she has always been proud of. Maya Jama’s ethnicity is Somali on her father’s side and Swedish-Scottish on her mother’s side — making her a British woman with East African and Scandinavian roots. For those who have been searching is Maya Jama Somalian, the answer is yes, in part — her father is of Somali descent.
Her name itself reflects her cultural richness. Maya was named after the legendary American poet Maya Angelou, because her mother had been reading I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings during her pregnancy — a beautiful tribute to literary greatness.
Maya Jama’s Mum, Dad & Family
Maya Jama’s mother played a central role in raising her. Maya grew up primarily with her mum after her father spent much of her childhood in and out of prison. She has spoken candidly about this in interviews over the years, describing how she eventually stopped visiting him around the age of 12. It’s a part of her story that has clearly shaped her resilience and determination.
She also has a younger brother named Omar, who has followed a creative path of his own — he’s a model. As for Maya Jama’s dad, while he was largely absent during her formative years, Maya has addressed this part of her life with remarkable maturity and grace.
How Did Maya Jama Get Famous?
This is a question a lot of people ask — how did Maya Jama get famous? The short answer: sheer hard work, natural charisma, and knowing how to talk to anyone.
In 2012, at just 18 years old, Maya packed her bags and moved from Bristol to London with one goal: to break into the media world. She initially wanted to be an actress — she even auditioned for the TV series Skins at 15 — but she quickly realised that presenting was where she truly shone. As she once told Vogue, “I didn’t have any other skills than talking. I could talk to anyone, at any time of day, from any walk of life.” And honestly? That’s exactly what has made her so brilliant on screen.
Her early inspirations included presenters Davina McCall and June Sarpong, both of whom showed her that a woman like her could have a seat at the TV table.
She began her presenting debut as a teenager, hosting the weekly music video countdown on JumpOff.TV, and also worked for Sky UK on TRACE Sports. In 2014, she hosted Maya’s FIFA World Cup Cities for Copa90, a travel series covering the World Cup in Brazil, and co-hosted Copa90’s nine-part World Cup Taxi series. That same year, she joined MTV as a presenter for The Wrap Up — and things started to snowball from there.
Television Career: Why Is Maya Jama Famous?
Why is Maya Jama famous? Because she’s built one of the most versatile and impressive careers in British TV. Here’s a look at the highlights:
Early TV Work (2015–2020)
Maya co-presented Trending Live! on 4Music from 2015 until 2017, which helped grow her audience considerably. In November 2017, she made history as the youngest person ever to present the MOBO Awards, at just 23 years old, co-hosting alongside Marvin Humes.
That same year, she co-presented the ITV Saturday night game show Cannonball alongside Andrew Flintoff, Frankie Bridge, Radzi Chinyanganya, and Ry. In September 2018, she co-presented the debut series of The Circle on Channel 4 with Alice Levine, and that October, she co-presented Stand Up to Cancer and became a team captain on ITV2’s rap panel show Don’t Hate the Playaz.
BBC & Mainstream Breakthrough (2020–2022)
Things stepped up significantly when Maya moved into BBC One territory. In June 2020, she presented Peter Crouch: Save Our Summer, and later co-presented BBC One’s New Year’s Eve show The Big New Year’s In. In January 2021, it was announced that she would take over from Stacey Dooley as the presenter of Glow Up: Britain’s Next Make-Up Star, which she hosted for two series. Also in 2021, she presented Simon Cowell’s music game show Walk The Line.
What Is Maya Jama Famous For? Love Island (2023–Present)
If there’s one thing Maya Jama is famous for above all else right now, it’s Love Island. In October 2022, it was announced that she would replace Laura Whitmore as the host of ITV2’s beloved dating series, taking over from series 9. She became the first non-white host of Love Island UK — a milestone she has spoken about with great pride.
“Growing up, I never saw an East African woman host a show,” she said. “This is definitely a big moment for all of us in that sense.”
Maya Jama and Love Island quickly became a perfect match. Her warm energy, brilliant fashion choices, and genuine connection with the Islanders gave the show a fresh new spark. She went on to present Love Island Games in August 2023, Love Island: All Stars, and returned for series 12 in June 2025.
In March 2024, she hosted the BRIT Awards alongside Clara Amfo and Roman Kemp. And from 2025, she joined ITV’s beloved guessing show The Masked Singer as a panel judge, taking over from Rita Ora and sitting alongside Jonathan Ross, Davina McCall, and Mo Gilligan.
Maya Jama’s Age & Height
How old is Maya Jama? Born on 14 August 1994, Maya Jama’s age is currently 31 years old as of 2026.
How tall is Maya Jama? Maya stands at approximately 5 feet 8 inches (172 cm) — a height that makes her an effortlessly commanding presence both on screen and on the red carpet. So for those asking how tall is Maya Jama in feet, the answer is roughly 5’8″.
Radio Career
Before dominating TV screens, Maya was a force to be reckoned with on the radio too. Between 2014 and 2017, she hosted #DriveWithMaya, a weekday drive-time show on Rinse FM, building a loyal audience in the process. In January 2018, she joined BBC Radio 1, co-presenting Radio 1’s Greatest Hits on Saturdays and eventually hosting her own self-titled show, Maya Jama, on Fridays and Saturdays. In May 2020, she made the decision to leave Radio 1, citing exciting new commitments on the horizon — and she wasn’t wrong about that.
Maya Jama’s Net Worth: How Much Does She Earn?
Maya Jama’s net worth is estimated at over £2 million as of 2025, a figure built from a diverse range of income streams. Interestingly, Maya has revealed that she became a millionaire at just 24 years old.
As for how much does Maya Jama get paid for Love Island, exact figures haven’t been officially confirmed, but reports suggest her salary for the show is significant — and well-deserved. Beyond presenting, her income comes from brand endorsements, her own businesses, and media appearances.
Fashion, Business & Brand Collaborations
What is Maya Jama famous for beyond television? Her style. Full stop. Maya has become a genuine fashion icon, earning features in British Vogue and partnering with major labels including Dolce & Gabbana and Rimmel London.
She launched her first clothing collection with PrettyLittleThing in June 2018, followed by a second collection in February 2019. She is an ambassador for Adidas, appeared in the European JD Sports Christmas campaign, and is also an ambassador for American hair care brand Aussie. She has appeared in global campaigns for GAP and Kurt Geiger too.
Perhaps most impressively, in December 2020, she launched her own skincare line — MIJ Masks — which sold out within 24 hours of launch. Not bad for someone who once just wanted to chat on camera.
Awards & Recognition
Maya’s impact on British media has not gone unnoticed:
- Nominated for Celebrity Personality of the Year and Best TV Presenter at the 2023 National Reality TV Awards
- Listed in Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe in April 2024 — a testament to her influence as an entrepreneur and media personality
- Recognised on the London Evening Standard’s Progress 1000 list, which celebrates the UK’s most influential people across all industries
Philanthropy & Social Impact
Away from the glitz of television, Maya uses her platform for good. She became an ambassador for Savera UK, an organisation that supports individuals who have experienced or are at risk of Honour-Based Abuse and Harmful Practices across the United Kingdom.
In June 2019, she donated blood for an NHS campaign and discovered she has the rare Ro blood subtype, which is in particularly high demand. She shared the news publicly to encourage others to donate.
Maya has also been consistently vocal about representation in the media, particularly for Black and mixed-race women in primetime presenting. Her appointment as Love Island host was widely praised as a landmark moment for diversity in British broadcasting.
Maya Jama’s Boyfriend: Who Is Maya Jama Dating?
Now for the question everyone seems to be asking — who is Maya Jama dating? As of 2026, Maya Jama’s boyfriend is Ruben Dias, the Manchester City and Portugal international defender.
Maya Jama and Ruben Dias
Ruben Dias and Maya Jama first met at the MTV European Music Awards in Manchester in November 2024. After months of swirling rumours, they finally confirmed their romance in April 2025, when they were photographed sharing a kiss at KSI’s Baller League event at the Copper Box Arena in East London. Shortly after, they went fully Instagram official with holiday photos from a sun-soaked Mediterranean trip — and the internet collectively lost its mind.
Maya Jama and Ruben Dias have since been seen at football matches, on romantic trips around Europe, and have even moved in together, reportedly sharing a stunning property in Alderley Edge, Cheshire. Maya has spoken warmly about the relationship, and the couple celebrated Valentine’s Day 2026 together with roses, Chanel gifts, and competitive portrait drawing. The connection is clearly very real.
For anyone still searching who is Maya Jama with or who’s Maya Jama dating — it’s Ruben, and they look very happy together.
Maya Jama and Stormzy
Before Ruben, many people remember Maya Jama and Stormzy as one of the UK’s most beloved celebrity couples. The pair dated from around 2014 to 2019, sharing a five-year relationship that played out very publicly. They briefly rekindled their romance in 2023, but ultimately parted ways again in July 2024. Maya Jama and Stormzy will always be fondly remembered, but she has clearly moved on to a new and exciting chapter.
Is Maya Jama Single?
Is Maya Jama single? No — as of 2026, she is happily in a relationship with Ruben Dias. For those asking who is Maya Jama’s boyfriend right now, that’s your answer.
Legacy & Cultural Influence
From a teenage presenter making music videos online to the face of British television’s biggest show, Maya Jama’s story is one of genuine grit, talent, and perseverance. She has built a career that spans TV, radio, fashion, entrepreneurship, and philanthropy — and she’s only 31.
She is widely regarded not just as a great presenter, but as a trailblazer for representation in British media. Her influence as a style icon and her entrepreneurial spirit have made her a role model for a generation of young women — particularly those from mixed or marginalised backgrounds — who want to see themselves reflected in the people on their screens.
Whether she’s hosting Love Island in the Mallorca sunshine, cheering on Ruben from the stands at the Etihad, or launching her next business venture, one thing is certain: Maya Jama is nowhere near done.
Also Read: Huda Kattan: The Makeup Artist Who Built a Billion-Dollar Beauty Empire
