Maya Jama has become one of the most recognizable faces on British television, known especially for her role as the host of Love Island and its spinoff Love Island: All Stars. Raised in Bristol, England, Jama dreamed of becoming an actor as a child and frequently staged homemade performances for her family. She later reflected that while she was not an exceptional singer or dancer, she loved performing and being in front of an audience in any form. That early confidence would eventually shape a media career that spans radio, television, and now scripted drama.
Who Is Maya Jama: Love Island All Stars Host and British TV Star Explained
Jama’s first serious step toward acting came at age 15, when she auditioned for the groundbreaking teen series Skins, which held school-based auditions in Bristol to find authentic local talent. She advanced to the final stage but was not cast, an experience she later described as discouraging enough to push her away from acting entirely for many years. Instead, she redirected her energy toward broadcasting, building an impressive résumé that included becoming one of the youngest DJs in the history of BBC Radio 1. Her natural ease behind the microphone translated smoothly to television, leading to high-profile presenting roles on programs such as Love Island and The Masked Singer.
Her return to acting marks a full-circle moment. As confirmed by Variety, Jama is set to make her formal acting debut in the second season of Guy Ritchie’s The Gentlemen, a critically acclaimed series that also features Skins alum Kaya Scodelario. Jama shared that Scodelario reached out to her ahead of filming with a supportive message, which she appreciated as she stepped into a new phase of her career.
