Maya Jama Shares Touching Mother's Day Tribute to Her 'Twin' Mum Sadie
Love Island presenter Maya Jama has celebrated Mother's Day in a heartfelt fashion, posting a series of nostalgic photographs with her mother Sadie Jama on social media. The 31-year-old television host affectionately referred to her 51-year-old mother as her 'twin', gushing over the many traits she has inherited from her.
Striking Resemblance and Glamorous Snapshots
Maya took to her Instagram Stories on Sunday to share a particularly striking image from last year's Mother's Day celebrations. The photo showcased the mother-daughter duo looking remarkably alike, both sporting matching clip-in fringes and holding hands tenderly. This snapshot was part of a joint campaign for Maya's Beauty Works hair extensions range, where Sadie displayed her age-defying beauty in a elegant white strapless gown, radiating a smooth and youthful complexion.
Captioning the glamorous photo 'Happy Mother's Day twin', Maya followed it with a more playful and humorous shot. This second image featured both women pulling funny faces at the camera, with Maya attributing her sense of humour directly to her mother. 'My unseriousness comes from you and grandad lol', she wrote, highlighting the lighthearted dynamic they share.
Early Bonds and Festival Memories
Further enriching her Mother's Day tribute, Maya posted an adorable childhood photograph showing Sadie holding her as a baby while attending the iconic Glastonbury Festival. With this nostalgic throwback, Maya humorously noted 'Made me a Festival and music lover from early', underscoring how her mother's influence shaped her passions from a very young age.
The television personality has frequently spoken about her exceptionally close relationship with Sadie, who became pregnant with Maya at just 18 years old. Sadie named her daughter after the legendary poet Maya Angelou, having read the famous autobiography I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings during her pregnancy.
A Unique Mother-Daughter Dynamic
Due to their relatively small age gap, Maya has described their relationship as 'a bit different', with Sadie granting her considerable freedom while growing up. In a past interview with the Evening Standard, Maya explained, 'She had me at 18, so our relationship was a bit different. I rebelled less because I was quite free. My mum's always been like, 'I want you to have your experiences — just tell me. I'm not going to judge you or shout at you'.'
Maya also humorously admitted that her mother possesses a wild side, joking that 'She's banned from my parties though. She gets too drunk.' This candid revelation adds another layer to their relatable and affectionate bond.
Overcoming Family Challenges with Humour
The Love Island host has been open about her father Hussein's absence during much of her childhood, as he spent time in and out of prison from when she was just two years old. In an interview with Marie Claire, Maya shared how she used humour to cope with these difficult periods. 'Anything that seems tragic or could make people feel sorry for me, I make a joke out of,' she stated. 'I guess it's because I'm OK with it. I've accepted it and I don't want you making me feel like you're sorry for me.'
She elaborated, 'If people said, 'Where's your dad?' I'd say, 'Oh, he's in jail' and I'd laugh about it. It wasn't something I sat at home and cried about.' This resilient attitude has clearly been shaped by her upbringing and the strong support system around her.
Gratitude for a Loving Stepfather
Maya also expressed deep gratitude for her stepfather, who entered her life when she was ten years old. She credits him with providing a positive example of a loving relationship. 'When I was 10, my mum met my stepfather and he is the loveliest man. So I got to see a loving relationship, which I think is what can affect young women growing up without a dad – not experiencing love first-hand and seeing how a healthy relationship should be,' she reflected.
Concluding her thoughts on family, Maya affirmed, 'Dad wasn't around, but I had all the love I needed from elsewhere.' Her Mother's Day posts serve as a poignant tribute to the enduring bond with Sadie and the family love that has supported her throughout her life and career.
