The curtains may have closed on the sizzling series 12 of Love Island, but the drama is far from over. Host Maya Jama, the queen of sass and style, has sent shockwaves through the fandom by revealing her top picks from the female Islanders, following only three on social media after the explosive finale earlier this month. Her bold move has sparked heated debates, drawn battle lines, and left fans buzzing on platforms like TikTok.
The 31-year-old presenter didn’t hold back after Toni and Cach were crowned winners of the 2025 season. In a clear show of support, Maya chose to follow just three women from the villa: winner Toni, runner-up Shakira, and third-place finisher Yasmin. This selective Instagram follow sent a clear message about her “favorites,” igniting a firestorm of speculation and commentary online.
Series 12 was no stranger to tension, with a stark divide forming among the female Islanders as the season unfolded. On one side stood Toni, Shakira, and Yasmin, a tight-knit trio who bonded over their unapologetic stance against the boys’ questionable behavior. Their vocal approach and fierce loyalty to each other made them fan favorites for many, but it also put them at odds with another group of Islanders.
In the opposing camp were Meg, Helena, and Megan, who clashed repeatedly with Toni’s crew. Accusations of “bullying” flew around the fire pit, and the make-up room became a battleground for catty remarks and pointed insults. The tension escalated into fiery arguments that kept viewers glued to their screens. By the time the Islanders left Mallorca, the two groups had all but drawn a line in the sand, keeping their distance until the very end.
Maya’s decision to follow only Toni, Shakira, and Yasmin sent TikTok into a frenzy, with fans dissecting her choice. Some speculated that her follows were simply a nod to the top three finishers, but Maya was quick to shut down the chatter. Responding to a TikTok user who claimed she’d followed the trio weeks earlier, Maya clapped back with her signature wit: “I followed them yesterday… after the show was finished & last time I checked I had free will to follow whoever I like lol.”
Her sharp response made it clear: this wasn’t about rankings—it was about loyalty to the women who resonated with her. Maya’s willingness to “stand on business” and back her favorites only fueled the debate, with fans praising her for staying true to herself while others questioned the snub of Meg, Helena, and Megan.
So, what sparked the villa’s great divide? According to Toni, it came down to principle. “My friends and I were the ones to stand up for what’s right and what’s wrong,” she explained. “We owned everything we said when others weren’t doing the same. We didn’t agree with a lot of people’s behavior and were always vocal about it.” Her words struck a chord with fans who admired the trio’s boldness in calling out what they saw as unfair or shady behavior.
Shakira echoed her bestie’s sentiments, shedding light on the origins of the tension. “From day one or two, I was put in a position where I had to graft, and that made me a threat,” she shared. “From then on, I was treated differently. Toni and I flocked together, and when you’re seen as a threat to someone’s relationship, you’re not going to be best pals.”
As the dust settles on Love Island series 12, Maya Jama’s selective follows have ensured the drama lives on. Her choice to champion Toni, Shakira, and Yasmin has cemented their status as the season’s standout stars for many, while leaving others to wonder about the dynamics behind the scenes. One thing’s for sure: Maya’s unapologetic stance has kept fans talking, proving that even off-screen, Love Island knows how to keep the heat turned up.