PETITION TO HAVE MAYA JAMA REMOVED AS LOVE ISLAND HOST 2023

In 2018 a series of tweets created by TV & radio presenter Maya Jama resurfaced. She made tweets spewing misogynoir, colourism, racism, homophobia, ableism, fatphobia and hatred towards black women, disabled people and also made tweets joking about r@pe. 

Love Island have announced she will be hosting the new season of Love Island UK 2023. This is completely unacceptable. 

While she did issue a blanket statement, it is still not enough. She didn’t actually issue an apology to all the people she offended, especially dark skinned black women. It was completely swept under the carpet and she has been able to continue elevate her career, make money and garner support from the very people she has mocked and abused online. She wasn’t a child at the time these tweets were made! She shouldn’t be granted opportunities where she’s allowed to work within the same spaces as people she has offended! 

Furthermore, as twitter user @anna_mulaa has rightfully pointed out, “In 2022 #loveisland bosses started background checks on their love island contestants in order to prevent contestants with “unacceptable past comments” from being selected. But looks their own new host can’t even pass that test.“ 

So, love island contestants are screened for past problematic and unacceptable comments but a known colourist, racist, homophobic, ableist and fatphobic bully is allowed to be a host. This is incredibly concerning considering Love Island are being more inclusive of contestants with disabilities and have also had dark skinned black women as contestants on the show.

We are calling and demanding Maya Jama to be removed as a host! Please sign the petition, please tag @loveisland !!!