From presenting the Brit Awards red carpet, to hosting her first show as the newest member of the BBC Radio 1 team, as well as her podcast 'When Life Gives You Melons', Maya Jama is one busy woman at the moment. Or, as she put it herself on Instagram, 'gahhh it's all happening this week'.
Chilling out pre-Brit Awards in a swish river view suite at The Mondrian Hotel, we caught up with the 23-year-old whilst she practiced her interview skills (using a perfume bottle in place of a microphone) had final dress alterations by Henry Holland himself and revealed the secrets to her going out out routine...
On choosing the right outfit:
'I don't really like wearing black, especially to red carpet events, and because the Brits is kind of the biggest one of the year, I wanted something that stood out; an eye-catching, memorable outfit.
'Originally, I thought I wanted to wear white, because I'm tanned at the moment, but then [Henry Holland] asked [to dress me]. I've always loved everything he does and used to work at Urban Outfitters and buy House of Holland from there.'
On her pre-party routine:
'Disco music is a must - it's feel-good and gets you in the happy vibes. I always do eye masks before getting ready. I'm not actually sure what they do exactly, but I'm convinced they do something, or it's just a placebo effect that makes you think that your eyes look fresher!
'I have a little drink and a dance around too. It's not actually a disco song, but my favourite tune to get ready to at the moment is 'Come Breed Me' by Vybz Kartel. It's a bit explicit, but it's a good song!'
On her red carpet essentials:
'I would always have a translucent powder, because I get quite oily and if you're nervous you sweat; a concealer - that's my key thing because I get tired eyes; a little mini deodorant is good if you can fit it in; then chewing gum and a little mini hair brush.'
On matching outfits with Stormzy:
'Oh my gosh, we haven't ever planned to, but I suppose you should never say never. We dress quite differently, so I can't imagine what matching look we'd go for. I don't want to do a full on same outfit match, but maybe we'll match so the tones and colours go well together one day, something like that.'
On the best thing about the Brits:
'I'm most excited about the actual job, because I've never done this show before and it's quite a big deal. I get to do it with Professor Green, which is also exciting. Then just watching all the performances. There are people performing that I would really like to see live, so it's kind of like a free concert at the same time.'
On the music industry having a #MeToo moment:
'I don't know, because I haven't personally experienced it myself. I don't know how heavy it is in the music industry, because presenting is a bit aside from it and I haven't spoken to anybody who has experienced it. But because of how many people have come out and spoken about it in the fashion and movie scene, it wouldn't surprise me if there was.
'If it is happening, I think it's good that people do speak out about it. The more awareness there is about it, hopefully the less people feel like they can get away with it.'
