News | Entertainment
24 Dec 2025 12:16
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
     24 Dec: Sydney Sweeney plans to "travel" over the festive season
     24 Dec: Travis Kelce has been urged to "step away from the game for a little bit" before making a decision about his future
     24 Dec: Michelle and Barack Obama were due to meet Rob Reiner and his wife Michele on the day they died
     24 Dec: Nick Reiner is set to be formally charged with the murders of his parents
     24 Dec: Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky have experienced some "complicated times" in their relationship
     24 Dec: Amanda Seyfried's stage fright is stopping her from performing on Broadway
     24 Dec: Gwyneth Paltrow tries to avoid reviews of her work
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Jonny Tata's quest to become the first kiwi to advance to the third round at the world darts championship has been dashed More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Pressure builds on Milano Cortina organisers amid climate concerns and funding issues More...



     Today's News

    National:
    West Antarctica’s history of rapid melting foretells sudden shifts in continent’s ‘catastrophic’ geology 12:07

    Law and Order:
    Investigations are underway after an early morning house fire in New Plymouth 11:57

    Entertainment:
    Sydney Sweeney plans to "travel" over the festive season 11:50

    Entertainment:
    Travis Kelce has been urged to "step away from the game for a little bit" before making a decision about his future 11:20

    Environment:
    The South Island's West Coast is set to be lashed by rain this Christmas....for the rest of the country it's a mixed bag 11:07

    Entertainment:
    Michelle and Barack Obama were due to meet Rob Reiner and his wife Michele on the day they died 10:50

    Rugby League:
    Two-time former champion Gary Anderson is through to the last 32 at the world darts championship .. 10:47

    Law and Order:
    A Christmas miracle in Nelson - a cat stolen in a break-in at the SPCA ten months ago has been found 10:27

    Entertainment:
    Nick Reiner is set to be formally charged with the murders of his parents 10:20

    Rugby League:
    An epic on the oche at Ally Pally .. 10:07


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd