Maya Jama reveals shock split from Stormzy saying ‘it just didn’t work’
MAYA Jama and Stormzy have announced their shock break up – ten years after they first started dating.
The Love Island presenter, 29, and rapper, 30, shared a statement today – leaving fans blindsided after their romantic display just days ago.
Maya, who is currently filming the hit ITV2 dating show in Spain, posted a lengthy message about their break-up revealing they had failed to make it work – and telling fans they would remain friends.
It read: “We’ve been laughing whilst drafting this because we never, ever, in a million years thought we’d be the couple announcing a breakup, but for the sake of clarity and, more importantly, to allow us the space and grace that’s needed for us both to be able to navigate this next bit of our lives with peace, we thought it might be best to.”
Describing their love story, she wrote: “We fell madly in love in 2014, broke up in 2019, and then spent five years manoeuvring life apart.”
During that break up, Maya dated basketball player Ben Simmons and ended up getting engaged to him.
We are still grateful for the time we’ve had together
Maya Jama
But the romance would be short-lived, when the couple reportedly ended their engagement back in August 2022.
In August 2023, The Sun told how Maya reunited with Stormzy, after the former lovebirds were snapped holding hands in Greece and on a date night in London back in October 2023.
Maya continued: “We decided to try for the final time in August 2023, and we’ve spent this past year trying our best to make it work; however, we recently decided to call it quits. “
She continued: “We were 21 and 20 when we first met-both at the beginning of our careers-and spent five years growing together and then five years growing separately.
“So this final attempt required a whole lot of figuring out, relearning, and We still think the absolute world of each other, we still care and respect each other, we are still grateful for the time we’ve had together, and we are still friends and will always be friends (so if you see us having a lil catch-up at The Brits or something, don’t cause a fuss, we are dawgs!).
“Love you guys and thank you for all the love you’ve showered us with, it’s been beautiful! Mike & M x”
The couple were last seen earlier this month at the F1 Grand Prix of Great Britain at Silverstone and Glastonbury.
In June fans were convinced they had secretly got engaged after they shared a series of romantic snaps from a trip to Paris – showing them kissing on a balcony.
On/off romance
Fans have been invested in their romance since the start – and the couple have invited fans in at times, thanks to songs, interviews and photoshoots.
Three years into their relationship, Stormzy‘s music career took off.
The Vossi Bop star even penned the song Birthday Girl to his current flame back in 2016, with the TV presenter even appearing in the music video.
In 2017, the rap king revealed to The Mirror, that he had been thinking about proposing to Maya.
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 the best.”
However, two short years later, fans were left heartbroken as the two abruptly split-up after 4 years together.
Their break-up inspired the musician to write heartfelt 2019 song Lessons.
In the song Stormzy admits he had “done the dirt” during their four-year relationship
The lyrics also include “the greatest love I ever knew” and “it’s too hard to forgive”.
Maya addressed the reunion earlier this year on AfterSun when speaking about Molly and Callum’s situation – and admitted she wasn’t sure about getting back together at first.
She said: “I mean I can relate, I had a lot of people saying I should get back with my ex and sometimes it is just not what you’re ready for.”
Maya Jama and Stormzy's relationship timeline
2016 – Stormzy and Maya Jama first got together when she was 20 and the couple quickly won over the hearts of the public.
2018 – The couple moved in together in southwest London with the dog they shared, Enzo.
2019 – They announced their split after a four year romance.
2021 – Maya meets and gets engaged to basketball player Ben Simmons.
July, 2022 – Maya calls off her engagement.
November, 2022 – Maya and Stormzy kissed at the MTV VMAs in Dusseldorf, Germany.
May, 2023 – The Sun revealed how Maya had been visiting Stormzy at his London home.
August, 2023 – Maya and Stormzy confirmed their relationship was back on when they were spotted strolling hand-in-hand on holiday.
December, 2023 – Maya goes Instagram official again with her man.
July, 2024 – Maya and Stormzy announce their split