Maya Jama has hilariously revealed that she was stopped by US immigration to talk about Love Island.
The 28-year-old explained that Love Island fever has spread throughout the globe, and it isn’t just celebs who are interested in the series, which is returning for its 10th instalment next month.
The TV presenter, who took over the show’s hosting duties this year from Laura Whitmore, said: “It’s not even celebrities, it’s just everywhere I go.
“I was in the airport recently going to America and the woman at immigration was telling me how much she loved the show. She was asking me questions about all of the Islanders.
“I wasn’t asked any questions about why I was in the country, but instead everything that went down last series.”
Jama’s comments come as a semi-professional footballer, a musical theatre performer and a girl turned off by boys with lunchboxes were revealed among the cast of the new Love Island series.
It's a date! 🫶 #LoveIsland returns Monday 5th June pic.twitter.com/P0xiSnCaV8
— Love Island (@LoveIsland) May 24, 2023
They will be joined by an estate agent, a model who has appeared in a Burna Boy music video and a boy who does not like it when a girl counts out coins to pay for a drink.
Looking for love will be Tyrique Hyde, 24, from Essex, a semi-professional footballer and childhood friend of Toby Aromolaran, who appeared on the show on 2021.
Asked what he wants his fellow contestants to know about him, he said: “That I’m deaf in my right ear.
“I’ve got a tattoo next to my left one that symbolises strength and power in my good one.”
He follows in the footsteps of model and dancer Tasha Ghouri, who became the first deaf contestant to appear on the show in 2022 and wears a cochlear implant to allow her to hear.
Will semi-professional footballer Tyrique score big in the Villa? ⚽️ #LoveIsland @TyriqueHyde pic.twitter.com/mUbuVtjaNp
— Love Island (@LoveIsland) May 29, 2023
Hyde will be joined by Molly Marsh, 21, from Doncaster, a musical theatre performer and social media creator who has already been to Love Island villas in South Africa and Majorca on press trips thanks to her online following.
Also hoping to find romance is Jess Harding, 22, an aesthetics practitioner from London.
Asked what turns her off, she said: “When a guy stunts for money, that’s an ick. Showing off all their designer clothes because most of the time they’re probably fake anyway.
“Another one is when a boy runs for the train and the train goes without him.
“Lunch boxes also – just go to Tesco and get a meal deal.”
Calling Mr Right, Jess is looking for you but beware of her long list of icks... 📝 #LoveIsland pic.twitter.com/SG55tFOVD1
— Love Island (@LoveIsland) May 29, 2023
Estate agent Catherine Agbaje, 22, from Dublin, is also joining the line-up, as are model Ella Thomas, 23, from Glasgow, and gas engineer Mitchel Taylor, 26, from Sheffield.
Discussing his turn-offs, Taylor said: “Food in your teeth and counting coins in your hand. When a girl stands at the bar counting out the coins to pay for a drink, it’s not for me.”
Finishing the line-up are Mehdi Edno, 26, from Bordeaux in France, beautician Ruchee Gurung, 24, from Sutton, business development executive George Fensom, 24, from Bedford, and business owner Andre Furtado, 21, from Dudley.
