Love Island presenter Maya Jama is recognized for occasionally donning outfits as revealing as those worn by contestants on the ITV2 series. Observers may have spotted some of her tattoos and wondered about their significance.
Maya’s tattoos are a blend of personal symbolism, deep emotional meaning, and lighthearted, spontaneous designs. At 31, her body art goes beyond mere aesthetics, serving as reflections of relationships, identity, heritage, and significant emotional milestones. Learn more about her individual tattoos, such as the poignant tribute to her late partner Rico Gordon and the whimsical matching friendship tattoos.
Fans of Love Island might have noticed Maya unveiling a new heritage tattoo in 2025. The tattoo showcases the outlines of three countries — Scotland, Sweden, and Somalia — on her upper arm.
This tattoo celebrates Maya’s diverse cultural background, encompassing her Scottish and Swedish lineage from her mother’s side and her Somali heritage from her father’s side. It stands as a personal and proud symbol of her roots.
Among her collection is a lion silhouette tattoo on the back of her ankle/foot, representing her zodiac sign, Leo. This tattoo was acquired impulsively during a hangover-induced trip with a friend, a decision she later joked about but still values for its astrological connection.
In a clip shared on TikTok in January 2024, Maya was seen getting a tattoo at a parlor, choosing a lion design on a whim. Despite the discomfort, she added to her tattoo collection in South Africa, sporting a smile throughout the process.
Additionally, Maya bears the initials “RG” inked beneath her ribcage as a personal homage to her late boyfriend Rico Gordon, who tragically passed away in 2011. This tattoo holds immense sentimental value for her, although it is rarely displayed in public photos.
Rico, hailing from London, lost his life in a tragic incident in July 2011, leaving Maya, who was 16 at the time, devastated. Reflecting on his death, Maya expressed how the experience drove her to pursue her career with greater determination, finding solace in her work during that challenging period.
Moreover, Maya shares a set of cartoon-style faces with her two close friends, symbolizing their enduring friendship. These tattoos, inked in November 2023, serve as a light-hearted token of their long-lasting bond, as Maya captioned the online post, ‘For life gang.’
There are speculations about a script tattoo running vertically down Maya’s hip/side, reportedly translating from Arabic to, ‘Love like you’ve never been hurt, dance like nobody’s watching.’ However, Maya has neither confirmed this tattoo nor shared images of it.