News | Entertainment
15 Dec 2025 4:57
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Maya Jama is "happy" with where she is in life

    The 25-year-old television and radio presenter has revealed she's learning how to "love" herself, and hit out at the idea that society tells people to accept themselves, but only if they conform to beauty standards


    Speaking to Rollacoaster magazine, she said: When someone loves themselves, and seems fully open and accepting with themselves, people don't like to see it.

    "Constantly, society is pushing the message of, 'Love yourself! But, actually, not like that. Do it differently'.

    "I think, now, I'm pretty sure I love myself, and I'm happy with where I am."

    Maya - who previously dated grime star Stormzy for four years before their split in August - spoke about pressures in society last month, when she said social media is a "blessing and a curse".

    She explained: "I wouldn't have half my jobs if it wasn't for social media, but then everything you do is under a massive microscope. It's not natural to hear so many other people's opinions about yourself."

    The presenter also bemoaned her aggressive work schedule at the start of her career, saying she didn't feel able to take any time off.

    She added: "There's a mentality of no days off.

    "I didn't take a holiday for the first two-and-a-half or three years [of my career] because I was scared I was going to miss out on a job; and that could be my big break.

    "Now I feel fortunate that I can take time off but there are probably people just starting out who are in the same state of mind."

    Meanwhile, the beauty previously revealed she used to feel "embarrassed" about her upbringing.

    The presenter was raised on a council estate in Bristol, South West England, and during her younger years, Maya felt reluctant to acknowledge her modest upbringing.

    She shared: "I used to be so shy or embarrassed for anyone to find out if I came out from a council house, or if my dad's been to jail ... and actually that's what makes me different."

    Now, Maya is keen to encourage young people to be open and honest about their own upbringings.

    She said: "I want people to know [those things], so that if there are other people that are in the same situation I was in, they can be like ... 'I thought there was no way I'd be able to do that, but she's done it.'"

    © 2025 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     14 Dec: Best female actor - musical or comedy:
     14 Dec: Best male actor - musical or comedy:
     14 Dec: Best supporting female actor:
     14 Dec: Best supporting male actor:
     14 Dec: Best director:
     14 Dec: Best screenplay:
     14 Dec: Best original song:
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    The Tauranga Whai have defended their Tauihi national women's basketball league title with a resounding 93-66 win over the Mainland Pouakai in the final in Christchurch More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    New Zealand's economy is set to expand next year, as several key indicators point to economic recovery More...



     Today's News

    Politics:
    Air New Zealand short-haul crew have withdrawn their strike notice for before Christmas 21:57

    Entertainment:
    Best female actor - musical or comedy: 21:50

    Entertainment:
    Best male actor - musical or comedy: 21:20

    Environment:
    Crews on the ground and in the air are fighting to put out a vegetation fire in rural Whanganui 21:17

    Entertainment:
    Best supporting female actor: 20:50

    Entertainment:
    Best supporting male actor: 20:20

    Law and Order:
    Two students killed, nine injured in shooting at Brown University — as it happened 20:17

    Entertainment:
    Best director: 19:50

    Entertainment:
    Best screenplay: 19:20

    Soccer:
    Liverpool are keeping the door open for Mohamad Salah as he prepares to go on a brief secondment 18:57


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd