She had some big shoes to fill after taking on the iconic role of Love Island presenter, but Maya Jama has proven she’s more than up to the challenge.
Dropping into the show via helicopter in the first episode, Maya, 28, slo-moed her way into the new South African villa as well as the nation’s hearts, with even Iain Stirling complimenting his wife Laura Whitmore’s replacement. He admitted, “Maya is absolutely amazing. She did such a good job. Those slow-motion walks are something else. Amazing appearance.”
Viewers echoed Iain’s sentiments, taking to social media in their droves to show their appreciation for the show’s new host. One fan tweeted, “Maya Jama: the hottest woman to ever step foot into the villa”, while another said, “So basically we are all in agreement that Maya Jama was won this Love Island series.”
Wearing three separate outfits – rumoured to have cost £6,000 – in the first episode alone, Maya’s black cut-out dress from Monot set Twitter alight, with people joking that Maya should have been the first bombshell, especially after footballer Tom Clare failed to make things interesting.
Someone even joked, “The person I want to couple up with is Maya Jama in that black dress.” And off the back of her incredible debut, producers are apparently keen to sign Maya up for a multi-series deal said to be worth seven figures – before any rival TV channel snaps her up.
A TV insider revealed, “The reaction to the launch was electric. It was the stuff that a marketeer’s dreams are made of and will undoubtedly mean a boost in viewers.” They continued, “One thing’s for sure – there will be a lot of urgent conversations around renewing her contract already under way.”
Having previously hosted the short-lived series Walk The Line, as well as Glow Up: Britain’s Next Make-Up Star, Maya has made herself a household name with her Love Island gig. Brand expert Jonathan Shalit even went so far as to say, “She is now a major TV force to be reckoned with.”
Prior to going into the villa, contestant Tanya Manhenga said what everyone was thinking when she admitted, “I think I’m more excited for Maya Jama than anything else, honestly. I’m obviously excited for the boys, but Maya Jama is gonna be a babe.” And, boy, was she right…