News | Entertainment
3 Jul 2025 6:35
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 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

     Other Entertainment News
     03 Jul: Sean 'Diddy' Combs' attorney claims that allegations against the rapper have been "badly exaggerated"
     02 Jul: Sir Rod Stewart came close to cancelling his Glastonbury performance
     02 Jul: Teddy Swims has become a dad
     02 Jul: Charlize Theron is on the celebrity dating app Raya - but it hasn't helped her to find love
     02 Jul: The Comeback has been renewed for a third season
     02 Jul: Jeremy Allen White has felt the "pressure" of playing Bruce Springsteen in Deliver Me From Nowhere
     02 Jul: Ryan Reynolds doesn't pay attention to his online critics
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    The Maori All Blacks are making some strategic adjustments as they prepare to host Scotland in Whangarei on Saturday More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Prices for top-end butter are through the roof, with little recourse for shoppers More...



     Today's News

    Entertainment:
    Sean 'Diddy' Combs' attorney claims that allegations against the rapper have been "badly exaggerated" 6:06

    Law and Order:
    Investigations - into the discovery of a newborn baby's body in a wheelie bin in central Auckland - continue 5:57

    Environment:
    Parts of the country are waking up to the second bout of heavy rain in a week 5:37

    Law and Order:
    Police have charged 12 more people - over a large dangerous boy racer meet in Levin, over King's Birthday weekend 21:57

    Entertainment:
    Sir Rod Stewart came close to cancelling his Glastonbury performance 21:36

    Rugby:
    The Maori All Blacks are making some strategic adjustments as they prepare to host Scotland in Whangarei on Saturday 21:17

    International:
    Dalai Lama confirms his tradition will continue, ending doubts he could be the last 21:07

    Entertainment:
    Teddy Swims has become a dad 21:06

    Entertainment:
    Charlize Theron is on the celebrity dating app Raya - but it hasn't helped her to find love 20:36

    Entertainment:
    The Comeback has been renewed for a third season 20:06


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd