Maya Jama and Stormzy surprised many on Wednesday when the couple shared a joint statement confirming that they'd once again gone their separate ways after rekindling their romance last year.
However, despite their split, the duo are committed to remaining firm friends, and in their statement the former couple even joked that they were "laughing" while penning the breakup notice. "We fell madly in love in 2014, broke up in 2019, and then spent five years manoeuvring life apart," Maya explained. "We decided to try for the final time in August 2023, and we've spent this past year trying our best to make it work; however, we recently decided to call it quits.
Keep reading for the lowdown on their love story…
2014 - First meeting
During a joint interview with Vogue, the couple opened up about their first meeting in 2014. "We met in October, then we were going out by January," said Stormzy. "You know, if I'm really honest, I knew I fancied him from the start," chimed in Maya.
"But I didn't want anything yet, because, you know, you're trying to do the whole friend situation first, and then I'd do, like, obvious hints that I fancied him and then take it back because I didn't know if he definitely liked me. It was a childish phase. And then one day we just kissed, and that was that!"
© David M. Benett2015 - First dates
Crowned couple goals by fans, during their time together, Maya and Stormzy received plenty of media attention. Recalling what it was like, in 2020, the Love Island star appeared on Shopping with Keith Lemon, where she told the comedian: "I didn't ever feel like a celebrity couple.
"Everyone else made it like that. We just had a normal relationship. And then everyone was just talking about it. We met when we were like 20 before anyone cared about us. So then it was just a normal relationship. Basically, I always said it was like a normal relationship but people wanted to look at it more and talk about it more."
© Getty2019 - First break up
After four years of dating, Maya and Stormzy decided to split in 2019. Following the news of their breakup, the 'Hide & Seek' singer has since reflected on the tough times that arose after their relationship ended. In 2022, he told GQ: "I think my break up with Maya was still really heavy on my heart. I'd never experienced a breakup and the feelings that come with a breakup. And I never wanted to ever be in a position again where I felt what I was feeling. Because it showed me that I was a boy. And I do not want to go any further as a boy. I've seen how that manifests in other people. And I don't want to be like that."
In a 2023 interview with The Sunday Times, Maya also addressed their former relationship, explaining: "We were so young when we met, just beginning our careers. I don't think either of us knew it was going to be such a big thing."
© Getty2022 - Stormzy blames himself for split
Stormzy addressed his breakup with Maya a second time, while chatting to Louis Theroux on Louis Theroux Interviews...
He said: "My break-up, that was probably the biggest catalyst for growth as a man. It was like, 'Okay, you made a mistake and you lose someone you loved, someone you cared for, someone who is special to you. That's probably the biggest loss a man can have, isn't it? Away from someone passing away, that's the biggest loss you can have."
© Hannah Young/Shutterstock2022 - Maya Jama responds to rumours that she's back with Stormzy
In 2022, there were rumours that Maya and Stormzy had reconciled, especially after they attended some of the same events, including the GQ Men of the Year 2022 awards in London. While many hoped that the former couple had reconnected, Maya's team later confirmed that the rumours were, in fact, false and that the pair had become good friends. She added: "I’m really, really single right now. Newly single. It's only been a month.. but it's nice."
© Getty2023 – Reunion
In August 2023, Maya attended All Points East festival to watch Stormzy perform his headline set. Maya and the rapper could be seen chatting backstage among friends as well as engaging in a one-on-one conversation.
© Jim DysonMaya was later pictured in the crowd as Stormzy graced the stage and wowed the festival-goers with his epic set.
2023 - Holidays in Greece
© InstagramMaya and Stormzy went public with their relationship when they were photographed hand-in-hand in Greece in August 2023. The couple looked the picture of happiness in photos obtained by MailOnline, proving their relationship was very much back on.
Eagle-eyed followers on Instagram and TikTok had initially noticed that the pool Stormzy was filming himself from was incredibly similar to the infinity pool Maya had been posing in on Hydra Island. The Radio 1 presenter then filmed a tongue-in-cheek video responding to the headlines about their romance.
2024 - Stormzy supports Maya at the Love Island: All Stars final
In a show of support, Stormzy touched down in South Africa to support Maya at the Love Island: All Stars final in February. "I had a lot of people saying I should get back with my ex," she quipped in an interview with Callum Jones, Jess Gale, Molly Smith and Tom Clare. "He's over there, so it all worked out in the end," added Maya, pointing at Stormzy in the audience.
2024 - Second split
On 17 July 2024, Maya and Stormzy confirmed in a joint statement that they'd decided to split for the second time. Maya's statement read: "Hey guys. We've been laughing whilst drafting this because we never, ever, in a million years thought we'd be the couple announcing a breakup, but for the sake of clarity and, more importantly, to allow us the space and grace that's needed for us both to be able to navigate this next bit of our lives with peace, we thought it might be best to."
© InstagramThe statement addressed the former pair's close friendship and encompassed the entirety of their relationship, from its 2020 beginnings to its end. Maya noted: "We still think the absolute world of each other, we still care and respect each other, we are still grateful for the time we've had together, and we are still friends and will always be friends (so if you see us having a lil catch-up at The Brits or something, don't cause a fuss, we are dawgs!)"
