Maya Jama says hosting Love Island as first non-white presenter is 'big moment'
Maya Jama has opened up about taking on the role of Love Island host, which was previously held by two white women – Laura Whitmore and Caroline Flack.
The Bristol-born beauty was announced after former presenter Laura decided to step down from the job after just two years to pursue other projects.
Now Maya, 28, has said taking on the job is a "big moment for all of us" as television continues to break barriers surrounding race.
In the past, Love Island has been criticised for its casting and treatment of Black women on the show - but now Maya says her signing is a "big moment".
Maya Jama has explained that presenting Love Island is a "big moment for all of us" (ITV)
Maya is the first non-white presenter for the show (ITV)Speaking to Vogue from Johannesburg, the star 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.
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"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, born to parents Sadie and Hussein, is of Somali descent on Hussein's side, as well as Swedish descent on her mum Sadie's side.
Caroline Flack was the first person to take on the role of host (ITV/Shutterstock)
Laura Whitmore announced her departure after two years (ITV)The presenter has made no secret about her Somalian descent and has even opened up about being bullied over her heritage.
In 2020, viewers were left shocked to discover Maya's heritage at the MOBO Awards and took to social media to share their recent discovery.
Responding to one tweet, Maya penned: "I must not scream it enough cause I'm seeing a couple people just discovered!
"Yup. Proud half Somali which makes it even more special cause I don't think I've ever seen Somalis host an award show other than the Somali awards (obv) so hopefully we do you all proud."
Maya has previously stated how proud she is of her Somalian routes (ITV)Speaking previously on the Receipts Podcast, the star explained that people "ripped the s**t out of" her at school which led her to lie about her background.
She said: "I'm half-Somali and I used to get ripped the s**t out of for that, before I joined year 7, during the summer holidays or whatever, I went to some summer school club and there was these boys and they were so horrible to me because they found out I was Somalian.
"So when I joined year 7, and I met my classmates, I was like 'yeah, ummm, I'm like Spanish and Jamaican' or something like that when they asked me where I was from."
Maya went on to explain that she made up a different story to stop people from judging her.
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