MAYA Jama has hit back at rumours that Love Island is a “fix” after fans claimed that producers are “too involved”.
The TV presenter, who has hosted nine series’ of the ITV2 dating show, insisted that the show is all “real”, despite producers “encouraging” Islanders to have certain chats.
Appearing on The Chunkz Show, Maya also admitted she refuses to find out in advance who will be dumped from the villa, saying she only gets the results the same time as the Islanders.
Maya said: “I’ve never said the wrong name, but there are cameras constantly around and they like the dramatic pauses.
“There is a lot of me saying something and then it waits. It’s funny with the new Islanders, where they’re not used to me saying something and then pausing for ages and they’re all looking around like ‘is she frozen?’.
“I feel so awkward for them because they’re just standing there in their little outfits.”
Maya then explained that the producers do not create scenarios but simply “encourages” the Islanders to pull each other for a chat.
She continued: “I don’t know if it’s illegal or what but they can’t tell them what to do.
“The most they can do is encourage them to have a little chat, but it has to be real because it’s reality.”
Maya added: “I do this technique where I don’t let them tell me who’s going until I’m stood in front of them in my ear because I don’t want to stare at the person or give away.
“Literally as I say it, I find out one second before anyone else.”
It comes after viewers were shocked after axed Islander Remell appeared to suggest it wasn’t his decision to dump Poppy.
The Islander appeared on Aftersun to discuss his time on the show and managed to spark fix claims with his comments.
As he chatted to Poppy, who was also in the audience, he said: “It wasn’t my decision to dump you.”
Remell decided to ditch Poppy in favour of Alima after The Sleepover, despite sharing a bed with her and kissing her.
Those watching at home were confused by his comment, with one person remarking: “Remell has just said live on TV “It wasn’t my decision to dump you” so just told us that Love Island is just one big set up!”
A second said: “What did Remmel mean by “it wasn’t my decision to dump you” when speaking to Poppy?”
While a third added: “What does Remmel mean it wasn’t his decision to dump Poppy? Producers pushing the agenda? Did he let that slip?”
And another added: “Wait.. did Remell said it wasn’t his decision to dump Poppy.”
Others however were quick to clarify what he meant – that he didn’t know she would go home if she wasn’t picked.
While other fans accused bosses of “fixing” last week’s public dumping, in a bid to get rid of Megan after all the Conor drama.
Love Island 2025 full lineup
- Harry Cooksley: A 30-year-old footballer with charm to spare.
- Shakira Khan: A 22-year-old Manchester-based model, ready to turn heads.
- Megan Moore: A payroll specialist from Southampton, looking for someone tall and stylish.
- Alima Gagigo: International business graduate with brains and ambition.
- Tommy Bradley: A gym enthusiast with a big heart.
- Helena Ford: A Londoner with celebrity connections, aiming to find someone funny or Northern.
- Ben Holbrough: A model ready to make waves.
- Dejon Noel-Williams: A personal trainer and semi-pro footballer, following in his footballer father’s footsteps.
- Aaron Buckett: A towering 6’5” personal trainer.
- Conor Phillips: A 25-year-old Irish rugby pro.
- Antonia Laites: Love Island’s first bombshell revealed as sexy Las Vegas pool party waitress.
- Yasmin Pettet: The 24-year-old bombshell hails from London and works as a commercial banking executive.
- Emily Moran: Bombshell Welsh brunette from the same town as Love Island 2024 alumni Nicole Samuel.
- Harrison Solomon: Pro footballer and model entering Love Island 2025 as a bombshell.
- Giorgio Russo: The 30-year-old will be spending his summer in the sun, potentially his sister Alessia’s successful tournament at the Euros in Switzerland.
Departures:
- Kyle Ashman: Axed after an arrest over a machete attack emerged. He was released with no further action taken and denies any wrongdoing.
- Sophie Lee: A model and motivational speaker who has overcome adversity after suffering life-changing burns in an accident.
- Blu Chegini: A boxer with striking model looks, seeking love in the villa.
- Malisha Jordan: A teaching assistant from Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, who entered Love Island 2025 as a bombshell.
- Shea Mannings: Works as a scaffolder day-to-day and plays semi-pro football on the side.
- Caprice Alexandra: The 26-year-old bombshell owns a nursery in Romford.
- Poppy Harrison: The bombshell broke up with her boyfriend after finding out she would be in the villa
- Will Means: The fourth fittest farmer in the UK according to Farmers’ Weekly in 2023 entered the villa as a bombshell
- Megan Clarke: An Irish actress part of the OG line-up.
- Remell Mullins: Boasts over 18million likes and 500k followers on TikTok thanks to his sizzling body transformation videos.
