What happened between Maya Jama and Stormzy? It’s the question that’s been on their fans’ lips for years, more so with Maya fronting yet another season of Love Island—not to mention those recent reconciliation rumors. Here’s a full recap of their past relationship and everything that’s happened since their split…
While Maya Jama’s Love Island outfits caused our jaws to drop over and over again during season 9 of Love Island (we can’t wait to see what season 10 has in store!), Maya’s boyfriend sitch also got fans talking—especially in regards to her split from Ben Simmons and her famous former relationship with rapper, Stormzy.
In fact, Maya and Stormzy actually sparked reconciliation rumors back in 2022, with Stormzy sending fans into overdrive on Twitter after he dropped his new album This Is What I Mean, which he’d previously described as being heavily influenced by his past relationship with the TV presenter. Since then though, despite Maya confirming she was single in January 2023, their relationship has been back in the headlines, with claims that they’ve been back in contact.
So, on that note, let’s take a look back at the Maya Jama/Stormzy relationship history and investigate which of Stormzy’s tracks are supposedly about her…
Maya Jama and Stormzy first started seeing each other all the way back in 2015, though they didn’t go public with their relationship until the following year. The pair were together for four years before announcing their break-up in 2019—and it wouldn’t be a stretch to say that fans have been pining for a reunion ever since.
It’s not clear why the pair split exactly but at the time, rumors were swirling that the rapper had perhaps been unfaithful to his TV presenter girlfriend, causing their separation. However, Stormzy quickly dispelled those rumors during a YouTube interview at the beginning of 2020, saying, “Do you know what? I actually didn’t cheat. I swear to God, I didn’t cheat.
“So we had broken up and I was out publicly being a rapper, being very inconsiderate to the fact that I’ve just come out of the most public relationship. We’d broken up and I went out and I acted disrespectfully. “I was just out in clubs. I knew the world still thought I was in a relationship and I was out looking like I didn’t give a f**k.”
The couple’s split proved to be a shock to their fans, given that the pair had, in 2018, bought a property together and that Stormzy had admitted he was keen to propose to his girl. Speaking to the Sunday Mirror at the time, he said, “I’m still so young but I want to propose, it’s going to happen and I will do it right. She is so sick, she is the best.”
Following the release of his 2022 album ‘This Is What I Mean,’ Stormzy addressed their split again, in an interview with GQ, saying: “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.”
WELL! There has been some recent speculation that Maya and Stormzy might be back in contact. But before we get to that, let’s take a deep dive into when these dating rumors first cropped up…
Speculation around the couple first began back in 2022, after the release of Stormzy’s ‘This Is What I Mean’ album, which is believed to have been influenced by his relationship with the TV presenter.He also touched on their relationship in September 2022 in an interview with presenter and documentary maker, Louis Theroux. At the time, Stormzy confirmed he was indeed single, before revealing that his split from Maya was one of the biggest losses he has ever experienced.
Speaking candidly, Stormzy shared, “It was like, okay, you made a mistake and you lose someone you loved, someone you cared for, someone who is special to you.“That’s probably the biggest loss a man can have, isn’t it? Away from someone passing away, that’s the biggest loss you can have…I didn’t do what a man should do to fully appreciate love, and care for his woman.”
Maya also went on to debunk the romance rumors in January 2023, telling The Sunday Times, ahead of her first Love Island stint (one of Maya Jama’s many TV shows): “I’m really, really single right now. Newly single. It’s only been a month, but it’s nice.” Of course, referring to her previous engagement to NBA player, Ben Simmons.
A rep for Maya also denied rumors that the couple had reconciled in late 2022, telling Digital Spy that reports are “false” and that “Maya and Stormzy remain great friends.”