Maya Jama Celebrates Mother’s Day with Her “Twin” Mum, Sadie
Love Island presenter Maya Jama recently marked Mother’s Day by sharing a heartwarming collection of photos and anecdotes with her mother, Sadie. The 31-year-old TV personality has frequently surprised fans with images of her 51-year-old mother, highlighting their striking resemblance and Sadie’s remarkably youthful appearance.
Taking to her Instagram Stories on Sunday, Maya reminisced about last year’s Mother’s Day celebration, posting a picture where she and Sadie were virtually indistinguishable. Both were sporting matching clip-in fringes and holding hands, a testament to their close bond.
This joint campaign for Maya’s Beauty Works hair extensions range saw Sadie showcasing her age-defying looks. Pictured in a white strapless gown, she radiated a smooth and glowing complexion. Maya affectionately captioned the image: “Happy Mother’s Day twin.” She followed this with a more candid, less polished shot of the pair pulling comical faces, demonstrating their shared sense of fun.
Maya revealed that her own sense of humour is a direct inheritance from her mother. “My unseriousness comes from you and grandad lol,” she quipped, attributing her lighthearted nature to Sadie and her grandfather.
Adding to the nostalgic tribute, Maya shared an adorable childhood photograph. The image captured Sadie cradling a baby Maya while attending the Glastonbury Festival. Maya playfully remarked, “Made me a Festival and music lover from early,” suggesting her musical inclinations were sown from infancy.
The presenter has previously spoken openly about her exceptionally close relationship with her mother. Sadie fell pregnant with Maya at the tender age of 18. In a touching tribute, Sadie named her daughter after the celebrated poet Maya Angelou, inspired by reading Angelou’s autobiography, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” during her pregnancy.
A Unique Mother-Daughter Dynamic
The relatively small age gap between Maya and Sadie has fostered a relationship that Maya describes as “a bit different.” This unique dynamic meant Sadie offered Maya a significant degree of freedom during her upbringing.
In an interview with the Evening Standard, Maya elaborated on this: “She had me at 18, so our relationship was a bit different. I rebelled less because I was quite free.” She continued, “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 alluded to her mother’s spirited personality, admitting with a laugh, “She’s banned from my parties though. She gets too drunk.” This humorous anecdote paints a picture of a mother who is not only a confidante but also a lively presence in Maya’s life.
Navigating Fatherless Childhood and Finding Love
Maya has also been candid about her father, Hussein’s, intermittent presence in her life. He spent time in and out of jail from when Maya was just two years old, and her younger brother Omar was a baby.
Despite the challenges, Maya has consistently portrayed a resilient outlook. In an interview with Marie Claire, she explained that growing up without her father present wasn’t something she dwelled on: “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 recalled a pragmatic approach to the situation, saying, “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.”
Adding another layer of warmth to her family narrative, Maya expressed gratitude for her stepfather, who entered her life when she was ten. She credits him and her mother’s relationship with providing her with a crucial understanding of love.
“When I was 10, my mum met my stepfather and he is the loveliest man,” Maya shared. “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 concluded, “Dad wasn’t around, but I had all the love I needed from elsewhere.”
