Maya Jama hopes presenting 'Love Island' will open "way more doors" for others from "similar backgrounds and cultures" as her.
Maya Jama hopes her Love Island job will 'open doors' for others
The 28-year-old TV presenter - who was born to a Somali father and Swedish mother - made her debut hosting the ITV2 dating show this week when it returned for its second-ever winter edition, and she is hopeful the role could be a "big moment" for others, as well as herself.
She said: "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."
Maya says Maura Higgins and Megan Barton-Hanson are among her favourite-ever Islanders, as was Georgia Steel, who was left fuming when Josh Denzel returned from Casa Amor with Kaz Crossley, leaving Georgia single.
She added: "Maura was one of my favourite ever contestants – it’s just great to see a powerful, opinionated woman on screen. She’s an ultimate G. I loved Megan Barton-Hanson when she came and just rattled everything.
"Georgia’s reaction when Josh brought Kaz back in, because no one expected him to bring someone
back.
"Chris [Hughes] and Kem [Cetinay] - that whole series was one of my favourites. Mainly personalities have stuck out. We get some legends from 'Love Island'."
Maya believes she would be a mix of "outspoken" Maura and last year's winner Ekin-Su Culculoglu if she were ever to enter the villa as a contestant.
When asked which Islander she would be most like as a contestant, she told British Vogue magazine: "I’d be a mix of Maura and Ekin-Su. Maura’s outspoken and I’m a bit fiery myself, but then Ekin-Su’s a Leo like me, so I probably would be like, 'Let me just bring some drama, because everyone’s chilling out too much.' "
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