Stormzy reveals Maya Jama break-up made him grow up: ‘It showed me that I was a boy’
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Stormzy has spoken about his split from ex-girlfriend Maya Jama – and revealed that their break-up made him grow up.
The rapper, 29, dated the television presenter for four years before they split in 2019, although the Big For Your Boots hitmaker admitted he “made a mistake”.
The Croydon-born singer told GQ the split showed him that he “was a boy” and had much to learn.
“I’d never experienced a break-up and the feelings that come with a break-up,” he said.
“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.”
Stormzy went on to explain how he defines success.
“My version of success now requires a man: not just more music and more money,” he said.
“Now it means taking care of my family, having children, having a wife, even understanding marriage and raising kids, and that requires a man.”
His comments came before he is honoured at the 25th annual GQ Men of the Year ceremony in association with Boss on Wednesday.
Stormzy recently opened up about the devastating end of his relationship with Jama on Louis Theroux’s new BBC One interview series.
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“My break-up, that was probably the biggest catalyst for growth as a man,” he said. “It was like, ‘OK, you made a mistake and you lose someone you loved, someone you cared for, someone who is special to you’.
“Away from someone passing away, that’s the biggest loss you can have.”
The pair split amid allegations that he had been unfaithful, though at the time an insider said Jama wanted to “focus on her TV and radio career”.
Although he didn’t explain the reasons for the split, Stormzy said he regretted how he had behaved.
“There were other things in terms of mistakes I’d made. I didn’t do what a man should do to fully appreciate, love and care for his woman.”
The December/ January issue of British GQ is available on newsstands and via digital downloads on Tuesday, November 29.
