Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu

Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu
Cülcüloğlu in 2022
Born (1994-08-21) 21 August 1994 (age 30)
Islington, London, England
EducationEpping Forest College
Alma materUniversity of Central Lancashire
Occupations
  • Television personality
  • actress
  • model
Television

Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu (Turkish pronunciation: [e.cin.su dʒyl.dʒy.ɫoo.ɫu]; born 21 August 1994) is a British-Turkish television personality, actress and model.

Born in Islington, she competed in various beauty pageants before going on to study performing arts at the University of Central Lancashire. After starring in the Turkish soap opera Kuzey Yıldızı İlk Aşk (2020), she won the eighth series of the ITV2 reality series Love Island (2022), along with Davide Sanclimenti. Following her win, she appeared on Dancing on Ice (2023), where she was paired with Brendyn Hatfield, The Wheel (2023), The Traitors US (2024) and Celebrity Big Brother (2024).

In 2022, she became a brand ambassador to fashion retailer Oh Polly and makeup brand BPerfect Cosmetics.

Early life

Cülcüloğlu was born on 21 August 1994 to Turkish parents in Islington, London.[1][2] She moved to Loughton, Essex at the age of 10.[3][4]

Career

In 2011, Cülcüloğlu competed in Miss Asia Pacific World, representing Ireland.[5] She competed in various other beauty pageants before going on to study performing arts at the University of Central Lancashire, graduating in 2015.[6] At the beginning of her career, Cülcüloğlu went by the stage names Susie Hayzel, Su Hayzel and Su Ekin Cülcüloğlu.[5][7][8]

In 2020, Cülcüloğlu was cast in the Turkish television series Kuzey Yıldızı İlk Aşk, in which she portrayed Işıl, a photographer from London who saves the life of leading character Kuzey (İsmail Demirci).[9][10] She also portrayed a serial killer in a Turkish soap opera.[11]

In June 2022, Cülcüloğlu became a contestant on the eighth series of the reality dating show Love Island on ITV2.[12][13] She entered the villa as a "bombshell" on Day 3 and won the series.[14][15] Following her victory, she starred in a travel series with fellow winner Davide Sanclimenti on ITV2.[16] Cülcüloğlu claimed she was offered the job of hosting Love Island after Laura Whitmore's departure, however this was debunked as false.[17] She was in talks to become a Loose Women panelist.[18] In September 2022, she signed a deal with fashion retailer Oh Polly to be their brand ambassador, walking for them at New York Fashion Week.[19][20] She also signed a deal with makeup brand BPerfect Cosmetics to become their brand ambassador.[21] The following month, it was announced that Cülcüloğlu would compete in the fifteenth series of Dancing on Ice in 2023. She was paired with Brendyn Hatfield.[22] She was eliminated in Week 4.[23] Cülcüloğlu was a celebrity expert (beauty) on The Wheel on 7 October 2023.

In 2023, Cülcüloğlu took part in a debate at the University of Oxford, speaking out in favour of the positive impact of influencers in society. She debated against Mark-Francis Vandelli; Lord Parkinson; and Sophia Smith Galer.[24]

In 2024, Cülcüloğlu competed on the second season of the American version of The Traitors on Peacock. She was eliminated in episode 4.[25][26] In March, she entered the Celebrity Big Brother house, taking part in the twenty-third series, and was the fourth housemate to be evicted.[27][28] Unlike other evicted housemates, she did not return for the live final.[29]

Cülcüloğlu's first book "Be Your Own Best Friend: And other lessons from a life lived in and out of the limelight" was published in August 2024.[30]

Cülcüloğlu has appeared on the cover of publications such as Women's Health and Grazia.[31][32] She has also been on the cover of several newspaper weekend magazines.[33][34]

Personal life

Cülcüloğlu splits her time between Essex and Istanbul.[35] Her hobbies include ice skating, reading, walking, and going to the gym.[36][37]

In 2023, relatives of Cülcüloğlu were caught up in the 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquakes. Cülcüloğlu urged members of the public to help relief efforts following the earthquake. She donated money to the British Red Cross and took part in an appeal video for the organisation.[38] She has since became an ambassador for the organisation.[39]

In June 2023, Cülcüloğlu and fellow Love Island winner Davide Sanclimenti split up.[40] They got back together in the same year before breaking up for a second time in January 2024.[41][42]

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2020 Kuzey Yıldızı İlk Aşk Işıl Regular role; 7 episodes [43]
2022 Love Island Contestant Series 8 winner [44]
2022 Ekin-Su & Davide: Homecomings Herself Main role; 2 episodes [45]
2023 Dancing on Ice Contestant Series 15, 9th place [46]
2023 The Wheel Celebrity expert 1 episode [47]
2023 Celebrity Antiques Road Trip Guest 1 episode [48]
2024 The Traitors US Contestant Season 2, 17th place [49]
2024 The Weakest Link Contestant 1 episode [50]
2024 Celebrity Big Brother Contestant Series 23, 9th place [51]
2024 What Happens When Guest 1 episode, "What Happens When You Win A Reality Show" [52]

Guest Appearances:

Loose Women, 1 episode (08/08/2022)[53]

The Big Breakfast, 1 episode (13/08/2022)[54]

Lorraine, 2 episodes (15/08/2022 & 09/09/2024 )[55][56]

This Morning, 1 episode (05/09/2022)[57]

Good Morning Britain, 3 episodes (25/11/2022, 09/05/2023 & 08/06/2023)[58][59][60]

Love Island: Aftersun, 1 episode (Series 9, Episode 7)[61]

Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, 1 episode (27/09/2024)[62]

Discography

Under the name "Su", Cülcüloğlu was featured on and appeared in the music video for the single "Yeniden Başlasın" by Turkish artist Seçil Gür [tr].

Title Year Artists Ref.
"Yeniden Başlasın" 2018 Seçil Gür feat. Su [63]

References

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  2. ^ "Love Island: Ekin-Su's mum defends her against haters and boasts that she's proud of daughter for 'stealing show'". MyLondon. 21 June 2022. Archived from the original on 28 June 2022. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
  3. ^ "Love Island star Ekin-Su's acting career, role as serial killer and different names". Daily Mirror. 18 July 2022. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
  4. ^ "Love Island star Ekin-Su's family win over fans who demand they get their 'own reality show'". Digital Spy. 27 June 2022. Archived from the original on 27 June 2022. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
  5. ^ a b ""Ireland – Su Ekin Culculoglu"". Archived from the original on 28 September 2013. Retrieved 13 February 2017.
  6. ^ "Video Of Love Island Star Ekin-Su In Student Reality Series 10 Years Ago Resurfaces". Capital FM. 15 June 2022. Archived from the original on 20 June 2022. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
  7. ^ "Su Hayzel". StarNow. Archived from the original on 10 June 2022. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
  8. ^ "Love Island star Ekin-Su unrecognisable in university snap with different name". Birmingham Mail. 15 June 2022. Archived from the original on 20 June 2022. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
  9. ^ "Kuzey Yıldızı Işıl kimdir? Gerçek Adı ve Oynadığı diziler". Finansajans. 2 October 2020. Archived from the original on 28 June 2022. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
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  11. ^ "Watch Love Island's Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu show off acting talents in Turkish soap opera after confirming she played a serial killer". Metro. 10 June 2022. Archived from the original on 16 June 2022. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
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  20. ^ "Love Island's Ekin-Su reveals favourite gym gear as she makes her catwalk debut at NYFW". Women's Health. 16 September 2022. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
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  31. ^ "Ekin-Su on her bumpy journey to body love, forgoing filler + why she's unfazed by new Love Island winners". Women's Health. 21 March 2023. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  32. ^ "Issue Issue 845 - Grazia". www.zinio.com. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
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  37. ^ "Ekin-Su talks daily wellness habits, wise advice and her £16 secret for looking radiant on TV". Heatworld. 29 October 2023. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  38. ^ "Ex-Love Island winner calls for help with Turkey quake relief efforts". 8 February 2023.
  39. ^ "Instagram- Ambassador: @britishredcross". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
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  50. ^ Hibbs, James (13 November 2023). "Weakest Link confirms celebrity line-up". Radio Times. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
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  54. ^ Novak, Kim (9 August 2022). "Love Island's Ekin-Su and Davide among first Big Breakfast guests". Metro. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  55. ^ Lorraine (15 August 2022). Love Island's Ekin-Su Reveals Exclusive Life Update with Davide & About Their New ITV2 Show | LK. Retrieved 28 June 2024 – via YouTube.
  56. ^ "Ekin-Su on Lorraine, 09/09/2024". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  57. ^ This Morning (5 September 2022). Love Island's Davide Addresses 'Cheating' Rumours As Ekin-Su Claims She 'Knows The Truth' | TM. Retrieved 28 June 2024 – via YouTube.
  58. ^ Good Morning Britain (25 November 2022). Ekin-Su And Davide Talk Romance, Tiffs & New Show 'Homecomings' | Good Morning Britain. Retrieved 28 June 2024 – via YouTube.
  59. ^ Good Morning Britain (9 May 2023). Ekin-Su Returns From Heartbreaking Earthquake Visit | Good Morning Britain. Retrieved 28 June 2024 – via YouTube.
  60. ^ Good Morning Britain (8 June 2023). Ekin-Su: Turkey Rebuilds | Good Morning Britain. Retrieved 28 June 2024 – via YouTube.
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  62. ^ "Tamra Judge and Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu Think Mercedes "MJ" Javid Had a Right to Be Upset". Bravo TV Official Site. 27 September 2024. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  63. ^ Seçil Gür feat. Su - Yeniden Başlasın, 21 September 2018, retrieved 21 March 2024