Maya Jama opens up on pain of ex-boyfriend’s death after he was shot

The TV host was just 16 when her boyfriend lost his life

Maya Jama

by Nathan Katnoria |
Updated on

Maya Jama has spoken out about the death of her ex-boyfriend, Rio Gordon, who was shot and killed outside a Bristol pub when she was aged just 16.

The TV and radio presenter opened up about how the tragedy made her more “fearless” and spurred her on to achieve her dream of making it in showbiz.

Maya, who later dated Stormzy for four years before they split in August 2019, admitted she could have “gone off the rails” if it wasn’t for her career.

“I went through a lot. With my boyfriend passing, it gave me a fearless approach. I felt like life was really short,” she told Cosmopolitan.

“At 16 you think the world is a fairytale and it took me out of that. It made me even more determined. If it hadn’t been for going through those difficulties, my whole perception of life would be different.

“Statistically I should have gone off the rails then, and it feels like my career was the thing that saved that from happening. I had hope and there was something to look forward to.”

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Maya, who’s currently hosting BBC One’s Save Our Summer with Peter Crouch, added, “I don’t let myself get wound up over smaller things because I know what it’s like to feel actual pain.”

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The 25-year-old hit the headlines last week when she received a surprise shoutout from Drake in his new song Only You Freestyle.

He collaborated with Headie One on the track which mentions Maya in the opening lines as Drake raps, “Chubbs might jam this yute for a chain. And gave it to a sweet one, called that Maya Jama.”

Fans also couldn't believe Drake's shoutout with many mentioning Maya's ex-boyfriend Stormzy. One person tweeted, "Drake called Maya Jama a sweet one, I wonder how Stormzy’s doing at these hard times."

Someone else said, "No way has Drake just mentioned Maya Jama, go to bed Stormzy."

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