Is Maya Jama single? Following her successful first stint as Love Island's host (and with the next summer season incoming), fans are desperate to know everything about her own love life—especially after recent murmurings about a reunion with her ex Stormzy. So, here's a look inside her dating sitch, past and present...
For those who don't know, the TV presenter, 27 has quite the resume behind her, from fronting BBC Three's Glow Up to hosting her very own show on Radio One. Now, she's set to return for a second go of hosting Love Island UK (yes, that means more Maya Love Island outfits!) and while this is exiting news enough, her romantic life has been getting a fair bit of attention as of late...
From her breakup with basketball pro fiancé, Ben Simmons to those wild rumors that she was seeing a certain Hollywood actor, *cough* Leonardo DiCaprio *cough*, Maya's relationship status has been a hot topic. Though, it's safe to say, no rumors caught the attention of fans quite like those reports in 2022, that she and ex-Stormzy were back on.
Now, after a few months of radio silence, it seems we have some updates in that department—here are all the latest Maya Jama boyfriend developments...
Is Maya Jama single?
At the beginning of 2023, Maya Jama officially confirmed that she was in fact, single, and since then, has not confirmed any kind of relationship—though that hasn't stopped the rumor mill from swirling...
Following her split from her fiancé Ben Simmons in 2022, Maya clarified to The Sunday Times: "I’m really, really single right now. Newly single. It’s only been a month, but it’s nice." She also gave a hard 'No' when asked if she had her eye on anybody new.
However, that definitely didn't stop the incessant speculation about her love life. In April 2023 alone, the presenter was linked to Leonardo DiCaprio, after the pair were spotted leaving two parties on consecutive days in London, around the time of the BAFTAs.
Maya swiftly debunked these rumors though, after the Daily Mail shared a story speculating that she was wearing a 'Leo' necklace inspired by her new 'beau.' She fired back on her Twitter in response to the story, explaining that the 'Leo' necklace is simply a reference to her star sign.
"I’ve been minding my business on holiday & said I wouldn’t respond/pay attention to any of the silly stories anymore but you need to stop now, that is literally my star sign. We are not dating. Move on please", she wrote.
While the Leo rumors proved to be way off base, as of May 2023, reconciliation rumors between Maya and her famous ex, Stormzy have once again stirred up—but are the pair actually back on?
Maya Jama and Stormzy 2023
Are Maya Jama and Stormzy back together?
For anyone who missed it, reunion rumors first started swirling around the pair in 2022, however, Maya's reps shut them down, confirming the reports were 'false' to Digital Spybut reassured fans that, "Maya and Stormzy remain great friends."
As of May 2023 though, we might have a different story on our hands, as a source told the Sun on Wednesday, May 10: "The truth is she’s actually back in regular contact with Stormzy and has been heading to his house to meet up away from the spotlight.
“She visited him a couple of times before her recent holiday to Thailand and it sounds as though they’ve really clicked again."
The source also added: "The connection never went away. They’re both keen to tiptoe around it a bit rather than throw themselves into anything public but they’re enjoying being close again."
Of course, as of yet, neither have commented nor confirmed the reports but we'll keep you in the loop! Until then, we have some rather exciting intel on when Love Island 2023 starts...
When did the Maya Jama and Stormzy reunion rumors start?
If you're wondering when these reconciliation rumors first sparked up, allow us to take you back to the release of the rapper's 2022 album—which many think is heavily influenced by the TV presenter, with at least four songs seemingly dedicated to her and their relationship...
Yes, as mentioned romance rumors initially began to swirl around the famous exes after Stormzy appeared to reference his relationship with Maya in his song 'Firebabe.'
More speculation was then fuelled after the pair were supposedly spotted 'hugging' in early November 2022, at Kendrick Lamar's O2 show, according to the Daily Mail. Twitter then went wild at the sight of both Stormzy and Maya at the GQ Men Of The Year 2022 Awards, with a source telling the Sun that they were infact, back on.
They said: "Stormzy and Maya are together again, they're taking it slow but are very much back in each other's lives after a long time when they didn't speak or see each other."
Another then claimed: "They spent loads of time together at the afterparty and were chatting in a corner for ages. It seemed as though they went somewhere else together afterwards because she walked out and then he followed her out five minutes later."
Alas though, we did not have a reconciliation on our hands (at that time, anyway!), as Maya's reps denied the claims to The Mirror. They also confirmed the reports were 'false' to Digital Spy but reassured fans that, "Maya and Stormzy remain great friends."
Among all the speculation, Stormzy also made his feelings very clear during a 2022 interview with GQ, where he said: "I think my break up with Maya was still really heavy on my heart. I’d never experienced a breakup and the feelings that come with a breakup.
"And I never wanted to ever be in a position again where I felt what I was feeling. Because it showed me that I was a boy. And I do not want to go any further as a boy. I’ve seen how that manifests in other people. And I don’t want to be like that."
He then went on to say: “So what is the necessary work I have to do to make sure I’m not in this position again? That means growth, accountability, changing my character, changing my routines, my habits, my tradition, my values, my morals. Because how I feel right now and how I’ve made someone else feel and how I’ve devastated a world that I was living in—I just never want to be in this position again."
As of yet, neither Maya nor Stormzy have commented on the speculation but watch this space...
A timeline of Maya Jama and Stormzy's relationship
For anyone who needs a debrief on their relationship and split—before dating and getting engaged to basketball player Ben Simmons, Maya and Stormzy's relationship began in 2016, when she was 20 years old.
In 2017, at the age of 23, the musician told the Sunday Mirror that he had plans to make their relationship official. "I’m still so young but I want to propose, it’s going to happen and I will do it right," he said. "She is so sick, she is the best."
When they went their separate ways in 2019, both insisted that it had been amicable. However, Maya was noted to have unfollowed Stormzy on Instagram, and in a track 'Lessons' from his subsequent album 'Heavy Is The Head', he appeared to admit that he had cheated and "done the dirt".
Now though, they seem to be on good terms, with fans desperate for them to rekindle their relationship—especially after Stormzy described their split as the 'biggest loss a man can have' in his interview with Louis Theroux.
"My break-up, that was probably the biggest catalyst for growth as a man. It was like, OK, you made a mistake and you lose someone you loved, someone you cared for, someone who is special to you," he said.
What do we know about Maya Jama and Ben Simmons' split?
When did Maya Jama and Ben Simmons get engaged?
A little while after her relationship with Stormzy ended, Maya got engaged to NBA basketball player Ben Simmons. Ben proposed on December 18th, 2021, reportedly after just a couple of months of dating. So is Maya Jama still engaged?
Sadly, after another few months, it was reported by The Sun in July 2022 that the pair had called off their engagement. A source said: "It’s heartbreaking for both of them, especially as they were so committed to each other."
They suggested that the split was due to them each wanting to focus on their own careers, with Maya having to divide her time between the UK and the US, where her 26-year-old fiancé lived. The insider added: "Maya has a bright future ahead of her with job offers coming in all over the world and is feeling positive. She has been hitting the gym a lot and spending time with her good friends.”
The time frame for their split is a little hazy however as the presenter appeared to deny the suggestions in a post on August 7th, 2022—a day after the allegations had been published. She wrote: "Stop believing ‘sources’ in papers plz."
Stop believing “sources” in papers plzAugust 7, 2022
Similarly, her other half Ben shared on August 8th a sweet black and white selfie of the pair together. The sportsman shared the picture on his Instagram with a red love heart emoji and the caption: "Almost a year older." This referenced her then-upcoming 28th birthday.
Their split was then seemingly confirmed again, despite neither party addressing the news. The New York Post reported their break-up at the end of August, with a source telling the publication: ''It’s been a difficult time for them. While they both care for each other so much, they truly gave it their all and realize that they just come from two different worlds."
It's also worth noting that in her recent interview with The Sunday Times in January 2023, she hinted that it had only been a short time since her last relationship—which we would assume refers to her engagement to Ben. Regardless, they are definitely no longer together.
Maya Jama engagement ring—what happened?
In early 2023, news reports swirled that Maya has been hit with a legal letter from her ex-beau Ben, demanding his (reportedly) £800,000 engagement ring back. Eek!
A year after the former couple called it quits, it seems that the revelation that he wanted the ring back was news to Maya. A source reportedly told The Sun, "Given Ben has never, until now, asked for the ring back, you can appreciate the letter came somewhat as a surprise to Maya.
"Ben was really shocked when she left and didn’t give him the ring back. It cost around $1million and they were engaged less than a year." Awkward!
Chunkz and Maya Jama—were the pair ever together?
Back in 2020, rumors circled around Maya Jama and YouTuber Chunkz (Amin Mohamed), after the two were seen spending some quality time together.
The pair first bonded at a Soccer Aid charity match, after which Chunkz posted a picture of himself and the presenter with the caption 'Good day out w/ my babes, 2 weeks strong xx', prompting fans to speculate whether they were an item.
Later, Chunkz also joked, ‘Missed a pen but i bagged Maya Jama, so who really won?’. Despite this, it seems the pair were never anything more than friends, with Maya sharing a pretty clear response to her pal.
She replied, ‘We’re def prob related but we can be BFFs for life chunkell.’
