Maya Jama is a British television and radio presenter, DJ and entrepreneur whose career has moved from local radio into some of the UK’s biggest entertainment programmes. Born in Bristol in 1994, she first built an audience through broadcasting before becoming a familiar face on mainstream television. Her biggest association is Love Island, where her confident presenting style has made her one of the programme’s defining hosts. She has also expanded into other entertainment formats, fashion and business.
Early Life and Background
Maya Indea Jama was born on 14 August 1994 in Bristol, making her 32 in August 2026. She attended Cotham School and later moved to London at 16, pursuing opportunities in broadcasting. Her early interest in television was matched by practical experience in radio, including work with Rinse FM.
Her family background is mixed. Her mother, Sadie, is Swedish-Scottish, while her father, Hussein Jama, is Somali. She has a younger brother, Omar. Jama has spoken publicly about being raised mainly by her mother and about the difficult relationship with her father, making family part of her story without defining her career by it.
Career Highlights
Jama’s professional breakthrough came in her early twenties. In 2014 she landed a major television role with MTV Base, after starting in local radio, and later presented programmes across MTV, Channel 4, ITV and BBC Three. She also hosted her own BBC Radio 1 show from 2018 to 2020.
Her television work gradually moved into larger formats. She presented Glow Up: Britain’s Next Make-Up Star and became the host of Love Island from its ninth series. She has also hosted The BRIT Awards and other major entertainment events, demonstrating that her appeal extends beyond reality television.
Most Famous Work
For many viewers, Love Island remains Jama’s most recognisable work. She took over as presenter from Laura Whitmore in 2023 and has since fronted both the main summer series and Love Island: All Stars. ITV brought her back for the thirteenth summer series in 2026, reinforcing her position at the centre of the show.
Another notable role is The Masked Singer. Jama joined the ITV panel in 2025, replacing Rita Ora, alongside Jonathan Ross, Davina McCall and Mo Gilligan. The role gave her a different presenting challenge, requiring quick reactions and playful guessing rather than the direct hosting style associated with Love Island.
Family and Latest Career
Jama’s close relationship with her mother has been publicly discussed, while she generally keeps her personal life more private than her professional work. Her parents separated when she was young, and her mother played a major role in raising her and her brother.
As of summer 2026, Jama remains closely linked with ITV’s entertainment slate. She returned to host Love Island series 13 and its companion programme Aftersun, while also continuing as a panellist on The Masked Singer. Her career now spans television, radio, entrepreneurship and fashion, with presenting remaining the central thread.
