Maya Jama has shared how her friends make her feel "invincible" following her split from Ben Simmons around a year ago. The Love Island host has secured a new brand partnership with Gordon's Premium Pink in her latest career move in what has been a huge year for the star so far.
Bristolian beauty Maya, 28, made her debut as the new face of Love Island back in January and is currently hosting her first summer series under the Spanish sun in Majorca. Maya, who attended Cotham School, said ahead of her first slow-mo walk into the South African villa that she was "really, really single", and has since been busy jetting around the world for both work and leisure.
Maya's last public relationship was with NBA star Ben Simmons, 26. The couple were first romantically linked in May 2021, with the pair going official two months later and Ben popping the question to Maya when she spent Christmas with him in the US that year.
Read more: Love Island's Maya Jama destroys clueless troll after 'no apparent talent' comment
It was reported last summer that Ben and Maya had called time on their relationship in August following a "difficult time" over their conflicting work schedules and long-distance relationship. "It’s been a difficult time for them," a source told The Sun at the time.
"While they both care for each other so much, they truly gave it their all and realise that they just come from two different worlds. They now understand they don’t have the time they thought to dedicate to this relationship."
After calling off her engagement to Ben, Maya has been linked to actor Leonardo DiCaprio and a possible rekindling of a relationship with rapper Stormzy, which she has denied. With interest and speculation regarding her personal life is expected to continue, Maya has gushed about the support she has received from her nearest and dearest friends as she celebrates her new brand partnership with Gordon's Premium Pink, The Evening Standard reports.
Discussing her new brand deal and how it reminds her of her best friends, Maya said: "When I’m spending time with my friends I feel invincible. Knowing your people are going to be there through whatever, not having to act any different way and be loved for every inch of you through the good, the bad, the ugly, the cute.
"I find it quite difficult to act any other way than myself which is sometimes fantastic, sometimes, ‘shut your mouth’. What you get is what you see, unapologetically myself, [I] can’t pretend so hopefully you like it."
Maya's glimpse into what it's like to be friends with her comes as she flaunts her collaboration with the gin brand. The star's "Clink with Pink" collection features two limited edition bottles of Premium Pink gin emblazoned with the Maya-esque catchphrases, "You're a Limited Edition, My Love" and "Cling Cling, My Honeys".
"The brand wanted to focus on bringing people together, which is how I approach all my work, so I couldn’t wait to get started," Maya said of her collaboration. "Clink With Pink is all about being unapologetically yourself and having the best time with friends."
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