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6 Jul 2025 4:51
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  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Maya Jama used to feel "embarrassed" about her upbringing

    The 25-year-old TV and radio 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.'"

    Maya stressed the importance of being true to yourself in the latest Nando's 'Booth Truths' episode, which also featured Aitch, Jay1 and Jasmine Jobson.

    The 'Top Boy' actress has had to overcome personal heartbreak prior to realising her professional ambitions.

    But according to Jasmine, losing out on various roles has proven to be a blessing in disguise.

    She explained: "The biggest downfall throughout the whole of my upcoming career would probably be when my foster carer passed away in 2014, because that basically meant that I lost a mum. I lost a household, I lost a family.

    "But all at the same time, I also lost 'X-Men' and 'Star Wars' - I ended up losing both of them. I would have been working alongside John Boyega ... And I would have been Storm in 'X-Men'. Life just completely changed from there."

    Nando's 'Booth Truths' is a series that brings together some of the UK's most recognisable faces to talk life and banter over PERi-PERi Chicken.

    © 2025 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

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     Today's News

    Accident and Emergency:
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    Basketball:
    The basketball might of the United States isn't fazing the Junior Tall Blacks ahead of their historic Under-19 World Cup semifinal, overnight in Switzerland 21:57

    Entertainment:
    Jessie J is feeling "positive and grateful" following her breast cancer surgery, but she is "missing being an active mum" and has stopped taking pain medication 21:36

    Rugby:
    An agonising three-point defeat for the Maori All Blacks ... but a historic win for Scotland ... on Sky Sport 21:17

    Entertainment:
    Olivia Munn has alleged a director tried to "ruin her chances" of working after a disagreement on set 21:06

    Entertainment:
    Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson has thanked Jelly Roll for helping him through a "very hard" time 20:36

    Entertainment:
    Annabelle Dexter-Jones and Daniel Humm are married 20:06

    Entertainment:
    Martin Short was stunned when Meryl Streep admitted she was nervous on her first day filming Only Murders in the Building 19:36

    Entertainment:
    Quinta Brunson is "looking forward" to her future away from Abbott Elementary 19:06

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    Torrential rain has unleashed deadly flash floods along the Guadalupe River in south-central Texas 18:37


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