Maya Jama has lifted the lid on the hidden story behind her very first tattoo — an inking she got at just 15 years old during what she now admits was a rebellious teenage phase, and one she kept secret for years before finally revealing its true meaning.
The Love Island host, now 31, confessed that the tattoo sits in a discreet and intimate place across her upper thigh, stretching along the bikini line area, meaning it is rarely visible unless she is in swimwear or lingerie. She explained that she deliberately chose placements that would stay hidden from public view, adding that many of her other tattoos follow the same pattern and are only seen when she is on the beach or in front of a camera wearing minimal clothing.
Speaking candidly, Maya admitted the decision to get inked so young was impulsive and far from professional. She revealed that she and a group of friends travelled to a woman’s home in Bristol, where the tattoo session took place under far-from-legal circumstances. According to Maya, the setting was unusual to say the least, with a parrot flying around the room as they went ahead with their first pieces of body art. She acknowledged the situation would not meet any official standards, but at the time it felt like a bold rite of passage among teenagers pushing boundaries.
Maya has since joked that the influence of global stars played a role in the craze at the time, pointing out that Rihanna had popularised similar thigh and bikini-line placements, which inspired many young women to follow suit. She admitted that she and her friends were swept up in the trend without fully thinking through the long-term consequences, something she now looks back on with a mix of humour and disbelief.
The tattoo itself is written in Arabic and carries a motivational message that Maya says still resonates deeply with her today. The phrase translates to: “Love like you’ve never been hurt and dance like nobody’s watching.” She explained that the words have stayed with her over the years and have become something of a personal philosophy, guiding her outlook on life, relationships, and her career in the public eye. Despite getting it in a spontaneous teenage moment, she feels the message has aged well and reflects the way she chooses to live.
In earlier interviews, Maya revealed that she has several other tattoos that remain largely unseen by the public. She explained that most of her ink is positioned along her ribs, hips, and thighs, meaning they are only visible in more revealing outfits or private moments. This, she said, was partly intentional, as she likes the idea that her body art is personal rather than constantly on display.
The revelation comes as Maya continues her high-profile role on Love Island, where she has become one of the show’s most recognisable faces. Fans had recently been questioning her whereabouts after noticing she had not appeared in the villa for several episodes following the series launch. Some viewers even took to social media to joke about her absence, suggesting she was working “flexible hours” or questioning whether production had reduced her screen time.
Maya later responded to the speculation in a light-hearted way, reassuring fans that she would be returning to the villa soon. She told followers she had been eager to get back to filming, easing concerns that her role on the hit dating show had been reduced. True to her word, she later made her return to the villa in scenes that aired to relief and excitement from viewers.
Outside of Love Island duties, Maya has also been spotted enjoying a whirlwind schedule of appearances and travel. In one particularly busy week, she shared glimpses of herself heading to a high-profile Bad Bunny concert in London. According to her social media posts, she travelled directly from a private jet before quickly changing outfits in a car on the way to the venue, highlighting the fast-paced lifestyle she currently leads.
The presenter even made an appearance in Bad Bunny’s famous La Casita segment on stage during the show, adding another high-energy moment to her already packed week. Her social media updates suggested she was balancing filming commitments, travel, and nightlife appearances all at once, reinforcing her reputation as one of television’s busiest personalities.
Despite her hectic schedule and constant public attention, the recent tattoo revelation offered fans a more personal glimpse into Maya’s past. The story of a teenager sneaking into an unofficial home tattoo session, surrounded by friends and a flying parrot, stands in sharp contrast to her polished image today as a major television presenter and fashion figure.
Now, years later, what began as a rebellious decision at 15 has turned into something she describes as meaningful and grounding. The Arabic phrase inked on her skin remains a reminder of her younger self, her growth, and the unexpected journey that took her from a Bristol living room tattoo session to international television screens.
