This year's Love Island villa antics are set to get even hotter as Bristolian bombshell Maya Jama makes her debut as the ITV2 show's host. Maya, 28, was officially announced as Love Island's new host in October 2022, sending fans into a frenzy as they can't wait to see her slow-mo walk into the villa for the first time next week.
Maya's glitzy new role on Love Island was speculated for some time following the departure of Laura Whitmore from the show. The Irish presenter announced that she was leaving Love Island after the eighth series wrapped up last summer, and has since claimed that she would have stayed on the show if she had more freedom.
Whilst a lot of fans were upset to hear of Laura's departure, many were thrilled to hear of Maya's arrival. The TV personality has been in the limelight for some time, having appeared on many shows, including Celebrity Juice and Glow Up: Britain's Next Make-Up Star, over the years. She was also previously one half of a celebrity power couple alongside Stormzy.
Read more: Love Island host Maya Jama said yes to ‘golden ticket’ job straight away
Maya was introduced to Stormzy at the Red Bull Culture Clash in October 2014, before the rapper had achieved mainstream success and when Maya was slowly making a name for herself in the television industry. The pair became official in early 2015 and were together for four years before announcing their break up in August 2019.
Since calling it quits, the former couple haven't touched on their relationship much, although Stormzy has answered questions about their separation in a few interviews. In January 2020, the grime artist was asked if he was unfaithful to Maya during an interview on Charlamagne tha God's YouTube channel.
Stormzy replied: "Do you know what? I actually didn't cheat. I swear to God, I didn't cheat. So we had broken up and I was out publicly being a rapper, being very inconsiderate to the fact that I've just come out of the most public relationship.
"We'd broken up and I went out and I acted disrespectfully. I was just out in clubs. I knew the world still thought I was in a relationship and I was out looking like I didn't give a f**k. It didn't need to be cheating for it to be a disrespect."
Stormzy also claimed during the interview that he still loved Maya with 'all his heart'. More recently, in October 2022, Stormzy reflected on his relationship with the Bristolian TV presenter during a conversation with Louis Theroux.
Louis explained the break up to viewers before asking Stormzy about it. Stormzy replied: "My break-up, that was probably the biggest catalyst for growth as a man. I was like: 'Ok, you've made a mistake, and you [lost] someone you love, someone you cared for, someone that is special to you.
"That's probably the biggest loss a man can have. Away from someone passing away, away from actual death, that's the biggest loss you can have."
In November 2022, shortly after Louis interviewed Stormzy, the rapper was spotted at the same events as Maya, and was reportedly seen talking to her at a concert in London. The Love Island host was spotted hugging her ex at a Kendrick Lamar concert at the O2 Arena as they stood in the exclusive VIP section, fuelling rumours that they had got back together.
Exclusive footage obtained by MailOnline shows the former flames enjoying the concert from the O2's exclusive VIP area, standing next to one another as Kendrick performs. An onlooker who saw the pair at the concert told MailOnline: "Stormzy approached the VIP area in good spirits, looking cool with his hoodie over his head. As soon as he saw Maya, he approached her and they embraced, proving there is no bad blood between them. After sharing a hug, Stormzy re-joined his party before returning to the VIP area later in the gig, where Maya was standing."
Fans thought they had good reason to believe that Stormzy and Maya had rekindled their relationship as Maya was rumoured to have split from her NBA star fiancé Ben Simmons last summer. Maya and Ben got engaged over Christmas 2021, with MailOnline reporting that their split came as a result of conflicting schedules as Ben lived in the United States whilst Maya was pursuing her career in the UK.
Days after Maya and Stormzy were reportedly spotted talking and hugging at the Kendrick Lamar show, the rapper released a song called 'Firebabe', which focuses on him being completely lovestruck and infatuated by his 'firebabe', who is his 'miracle', 'happy place', and 'heart and soul'. Fans suggested that Maya was the muse for the rapper's release, due to the fact she is a Leo - a fire zodiac sign.
On November 13, the former couple attended the European Music Awards in Germany, with Maya presenting an award whilst Stormzy secured a selfie with Taylor Swift. The following week, representatives for Maya quashed rumours that she was back with Stormzy after it was claimed that the pair were spotted chatting in a quiet corner at the GQ Men of the Year Awards 2022 before leaving moments apart.
Click here to subscribe to the South West TV Talk newsletter, bringing you the latest showbiz news, gossip and features from across the West Country every week.
Read more:
Love Island's Maya Jama recalls 'terrifying' bridge jump which left her furious
Emma D’Arcy: Award nomination ‘implies space for trans actors is getting bigger’
Harry: I did not boast about my Taliban kills - the spin is 'dangerous'
With BBC's The Traitors finished, here's a Netflix game show for you to check out
