Love Island host Maya Jama stopped by airport immigration officers for very unusual reason
MAYA Jama has revealed she was hauled in by immigration when jetting into the US recently – because the officer wanted to talk Love Island.
The jetsetter, 28, can’t escape the ITV2 show, which returns for its tenth series next week.
She said: “It’s not even celebrities, it’s just everywhere I go.
“I was in the airport recently going to America and the woman at immigration was telling me how much she loved the show.
“She was asking me questions about all of the Islanders.
“I wasn’t asked any questions about why I was in the country, but instead everything that went down last series.”
Maya travels the world for business and pleasure, this month alone travelling to Thailand and Cannes Film Festival in France.
She was grilled by the security officer on her way to New York.
Now she’s poised to strut into the telly villa in Majorca to welcome the latest sizzling batch of singles.
It’s the Bristol-born presenter’s second series as host of the dating show, but her first time in its original setting.
Maya said: “It feels so exciting, I was full of nerves for my first series because I was wondering what it would be like.
“Now, I know I feel really ready and excited, there’s a bit more of an expectation so I just want to make sure that I live up to that expectation again.
“I’m excited to add even more to it. More opinions, more fun, more vibes.”
Maya, whose star has rocketed since she signed up to replace Laura Whitmore, has now become the face of beauty brand Rimmel and dresses she wore in the South African villa have sold out worldwide.
She broke the internet in the £1,575 black cut-out dress she donned on the first night.
Maya said: “The pressure is on for my stylist because the dresses did very well last series.
“We haven’t decided yet, but I’ve said that I want to look beachy, sexy and fun.
“I’d say ‘Ibiza summer’ is the vibe I’m going for.”
It wasn’t just the frocks that ruffled fan feathers, with viewers also embracing her more relaxed presenting style.
Maya took time out to chat to the Islanders, including eventual series winners Kai Fagan and Sanam Harrinanan, and coach them through big decisions.
She added: “I love being able to have a bit more of a personal relationship with the Islanders.
“It’s a nice feeling to be involved in a show that I’ve loved and been a fan of for so long.
“I learnt that everything can change so quickly, you can have an idea of who you think may win one minute and then it can all change the next day.”
The starting line-up of ten hopeful singles include a beautician, gas engineer and an estate agent.
Maya will welcome them into the villa this weekend ahead of the show’s launch on Monday night.
ITV2 last week revealed a raft of duty of care measures, including a permanent freeze on Islanders’ social media accounts to stem trolling.