LOVE is said to be better the second time around – and that certainly seems to be the case for Stormzy and Maya Jama.
Since reuniting in October – four years on from their 2019 break-up – the rapper has splashed a fortune on the Love Island host, 29, and appears to be her biggest cheerleader online.
This week, Maya revealed Stormzy booked a spa day for her and a pal because she was “feeling down”. On arrival, she was greeted with a beautiful bouquet with a note that read: “I pray you smile a little bit more today, X.”
It’s one of many touching gestures from the “humbled” Own It rapper, 30, who previously described losing her as “probably the biggest loss a man can have”.
As the romance cranks up a notch, relationship expert Jo Hemmings predicts it could be a sign that a proposal is on the cards.
She tells The Sun: “Back together after a four-year split, it seems that this Stormzy truly appreciates his wonderful girlfriend.
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“He’s showering her with lavish gifts, but more importantly he is thoughtful and considerate these days, even treating Maya to a spa day when she was feeling down.
“He knows he’s seriously lucky to get a second chance with her – and there’s no let up on the effort he’s putting in with being thoughtful, considerate and putting her needs before his.
“As well as lavish gifts and generous, complimentary posts on Instagram, this feels like ‘proposal prep’ to me.
“He’s taking his time, there’s no need to rush into it – he wants her to be as sure as him – but the romantic direction of travel is definitely pointing to making that ultimate commitment.”
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Here we look back at Stormzy and Maya’s romance and how since reuniting the rapper, he has been the ‘perfect boyfriend’.
‘Couple goals’
Maya and Stormzy were both fledgling stars when they met back in 2014 at an event in London, but the future Love Island host later admitted: “If I’m really honest, I knew I fancied him from the start.”
It was a big year for them both, with her cast as the presenter for MTV’s The Wrap Up and him gaining notoriety on the UK music scene.
After what Maya described as “a childish phase” where she dropped “obvious hints” about liking him and then “taking it back” they started dating a year later.
Fans branded them “couple goals” and they quickly became one of showbiz’s hottest powerful pairing – but to them, it was “just a normal relationship”.
Maya told Shopping With Keith Lemon: “I always said it was like a normal relationship but people wanted to look at it more and talk about it more.”
During their four-year romance, Stormzy celebrated his beau in the lyrics of his songs including 2016 hit Birthday Girl and she appeared in the music video for his hit Big For Your Boots a year later.
‘I was a boy’
But by 2019, the romance ended and Maya moved out of the south west London pad they shared amid claims Stormzy was unfaithful.
It was alleged that he cheated on the star with friend Jorja Smith, which he denied but admitted to being “disrespectful” to his beau in candid interviews.
Stormzy told GQ: “It showed me that I was a boy and I do not want to go any further as a boy. I’ve seen how that manifests in other people and I don’t want to be like that.”
Also on the BBC show Louis Theroux Interviews…, the rapper admitted he “didn’t do what a man should do, fully appreciate love and care for his woman”.
I would love to be the man who she needs, I would love to do all the things that make this work. I want to marry her, I want to have her children.
Stormzy
He added: “You make a mistake and you lose someone you loved, someone you cared for, someone who is special to you.”
Jo says that “fame crept up on the both of them” but Stormzy’s admission that he behaved badly set him on a path to growing up and winning back Maya’s heart.
She explains: “While he denies that he was unfaithful he did admit to Louis Theroux that his behaviour could have been better and that he made mistakes.
“By owning those errors of judgement, he claimed it ‘was probably the biggest catalyst for [his] growth as a man.’ He also said he didn’t want to ever feel like that again.”
During an interview with Charlamagne Tha God, Stormzy hinted at his hope for a second chance.
He said: “I would love to be the man who she needs, I would love to do all the things that make this work. I want to marry her, I want to have her children.”
While Stormzy worked on himself, Maya had moved on with NBA star Ben Simmons in 2021 and got engaged – but a year later, the pair had broken up.
5* getaway
Rumours of a reunion began to swirl in August last year, when Maya watched Stormzy headline at All Points East festival and that same month they jetted off on a luxury holiday.
They were spotted hand-in-hand in Greece while staying at a plush £2,700 a night Peloponnese villa, at the Amanzoe resort.
There they were said to be “waited on hand and foot” at the fancy hotel, which boasts a personal chef and butler, as well as a pool with a terrace and the use of speedboats.
She means the world to him and he wants her to be treated like a queen
A source close to the couple
A source told The Sun: “He chartered a private jet to Greece then they flew into the resort by helicopter. It’s all very romantic.
“She means the world to him and he wants her to be treated like a queen.”
Fans were thrilled by the hope of them reconciling and later, it was claimed that Stormzy’s mum, Abigail Owuo, played a key role in getting them back together.
A pal told The Sun: “Stormzy is really open about wanting to settle down and have kids one day and he knows Maya is ‘The One’.
“Stormzy is really close to his mum Abigail who has always been Maya’s biggest fan. Abigail wants the best for her son and motivated him to make amends with Maya.”
#1 fan
By October, Maya confirmed they were an item when she shared a snap of Stormzy picking her up from the airport after filming Love Island Games, in Fiji.
The rapper was seen holding two handmade signs, one read “Maya Jama #1 fan” and another had a sketch of her in the red dress she wore for her Dolce and Gabanna campaign.
“You are so cute! Thanks! Put it down now… I’m shy,” she said during the Instagram video.
The following month they attended the British Fashion Awards, which Maya hosted, and the couple were seen staring adoringly into each other’s eyes backstage.
Jo says: “There was always a hope that they could reconcile… and since they got back together, their relationship has gone from strength to strength, with lots of smitten posts and PDA’s when out and about together.”
Lavish dates followed, with Stormzy picking Maya up in his £350,000 Rolls Royce for a trip out to Winter Wonderland and the duo taking a trip to Los Angeles.
Valentine’s Day gestures
Since then it appears the rapper has continued to pull out all the stops.
On Valentine’s Day, he splashed out £45,000 on a Hermès Birkin handbag – named after the actress Jane Birkin. Some rare and limited editions sell for more than £200,000.
“Never seen anything so stunningggg,” Maya gushed in a caption, sharing a photo of the nude-coloured bag.
They were also seen cuddling in a taxi after enjoying a romantic meal with two heart-shaped desserts.
It was topped off by a sweet Valentine’s Day challenge on TikTok, where the couple answered ‘Who’s more likely to’ questions about their romance.
In the clip, Stormzy was revealed to be more likely to apologise first and for the question “Who’s more romantic?” they both pointed to him without hesitation.
Jo adds: “Stormzy is not just flashing the cash with Maya – though what girlfriend wouldn’t be thrilled with a much-coveted Hérmes bag and a smart Roller to pick her up.
“He’s been so lovely with her, from sharing a cute ‘couples challenge’ on TikTok for Valentine’s Day, to being kind and generous with his compliments to her and showing her just how she now means to him.”
Later that month, while filming Love Island, Maya shared sweet and supportive messages her other half sent her on WhatsApp.
After she shared two mirror selfies, Stormzy responded: “Yeah brazy (sic), sexy and classy simultaneously. World class.”
Maya posted a screenshot of their conversation online along with the words “show outfit approved”.
Stormzy also flew out to Franschhoek, in South Africa, where she was filming, to support her and spend time together after the Love Island: All Stars final.
“Someone had a good night last night, woo!” Maya said in an Instagram video while enjoying a cute date with her other half.
Earlier this week, Maya revealed Stormzy had booked the spa day, where she enjoyed an ice facial and sauna session.
“So lovely and now I feel like a zen ball of fluff ready for the week,” Maya wrote in an online post.
Jo believes the romantic and sweet gestures by Stormzy “all point to him making the ultimate commitment”.
She adds: “He’s really put the effort in to prove that he has matured and changed to finally become that man who is worthy of her.
“Now he’s shown his commitment, will we see a proposal coming next for the couple that (we knew) were always meant to be?”
