Who is Maya Jama? Everything to Know About Peacock's Love Island Games Host

Love Island fans can rejoice because a new version of the popular dating reality show is coming in the form of a spinoff: Love Island Games.

The show heads to the tropical island of Fiji and features former Love Island contestants from the U.S., the U.K., Australia, and more international locales as they return to the villa to battle it out for a second chance at finding love. Between the three franchises, there have been over 15 seasons, resulting in seemingly endless possible combinations (even if we have the full cast list here. Feel free to speculate wildly about who will be paired up). The Peacock dating series' host, however, has been revealed as the United Kingdom’s Maya Jama. She'll be joined by the voice of U.K. comedian Iain Stirling, who reprises his role as narrator. 

RELATED: The Love Island USA Season 5 Finalists Reveal If They’re Still Together

Here’s everything you need to know about Maya Jama, the host of Love Island Games. 

Who is Maya Jama?

Maya Jama is a 29-year-old presenter from England. Born to a Somali father and Swedish mother, Jama was the first non-white host of Love Island U.K.

“Growing up, I never saw an East African woman host a show, and no Black or mixed-race woman hosts such a big primetime TV show, other than June Sarpong. This is definitely a big moment for all of us in that sense, and I hope it just opens way more doors for other people from similar backgrounds and cultures as myself,” Jama told Vogue. In a previous interview, she revealed her estranged father was in and out of prison during her childhood. Her parents chose the name Maya after the poet Maya Angelou because her mother read “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" when she was pregnant. 

Has Maya Jama hosted other shows?

Photo: Peacock

Maya Jama is no stranger to hosting television or radio shows. She got her start after moving from Bristol to London at the age of 16. Her YouTube channel landed her a role as a host of JumpOff TV. After that she became the host of MTV’s The Wrap Up, and later MTV Essentials and MTV News. She has hosted several different popular television and radio shows throughout her career, with credits including The Circle, Glow Up: Britain’s Next Make-Up Star, and her BBC Radio 1 show Maya Jama.

Jama stepped in to host Love Island on ITV in its ninth season last October after Caroline Flack and Laura Whitmore. Jama is also a fan of the show, so it makes it all the more special that she can host both Love Island U.K. and Love Island Games. Jama has said the best thing about working on Love Island is the fact that she is "able to have a bit more of a personal relationship with the Islanders and being able to see all the behind-the-scenes of what goes into making the show."

Is Maya Jama single?

Maya may be watching as islanders find their perfect match, but the TV host has been rumored to have circled back to an old flame. She and her ex, British rapper Stormzy, originally dated for four years but broke up in 2019. Most recently, they have been seen out and about together, with him even picking her up from the airport after filming Love Island Games. Earlier this month, the couple made it Instagram official with their relationship status. 

Prior to rekindling the flame with Stormzy, Maya Jama was engaged to Brooklyn Nets basketball player Ben Simmons for a year before they went their separate ways in 2022. 

Love Island Games will begin on Peacock on November 1.