It’s difficult to name a more iconic reality star than Ekin-Su Cülcüloglu – the actress whose antics on Love Island, Dancing On Ice, Celebrity Big Brother and The Traitors US launched memes and conversations galore. Now in her 30s – and fresh from her break-up with Curtis Pritchard – she is using her headline- grabbing abilities for good.
Last month, Ekin-Su, 30, led a group of 30 women on a CoppaFeel! trek in the Isle of Skye to raise both money and awareness for the phenomenal charity that encourages women to check their boobs for any changes – one of the earliest signs of breast cancer.
Speaking about the trek exclusively with Closer, Ekin-Su admitted, ‘It was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. It was life changing, I really got a grasp of what’s important in life. And it took me away from this bubble that I’m in now of the TV world and put me into a different crowd with different people, where everyone has such a purpose in life. Either they’ve been affected by cancer themselves or they know someonewith breast cancer. It was just so magical and I’m determined to start living in the moment more.
‘I believe in the magic of your energy and the idea that doing things that are meaningful can change you. Doing TV shows and stuff, they’re great, but they’re not life-saving. It’s very different. That’s entertainment for the audience, you don’t really grow in a TV programme. You learn in a TV programme, but you’re not having the spiritual change. Plus some programmes are manipulated in ways where you can’t be your best self. But on this trip, I really let myself go and became who I was meant to be.’
Although Ekin-Su is keen to continue working with CoppaFeel! and help educate her young, mainly female, followers on the importance of checking their boobs, she hasn’t completely turned her back on her reality TV roots, especially Love Island, where it all started for her in 2022. After entering as a bombshell, Ekin-Su eventually went on to win the eighth series with Davide Sanclimenti. However, the pair split after just over a year of on/off dating. Indeed Ekin-Su loves the show so much that she returned for the second series of Love Island: All Stars earlier this year, coming in third place with Curtis.
Despite her split from Curtis, 29 – who is now rumoured to be dating EastEnders star Jazzy Phoenix – being confirmed in May, Ekin-Su admits that she wouldn’t change a thing about her return to the show.
‘I’m glad I came back,’ she explains. ‘It was unexpected, but I felt like coming back was the right thing to do, and just a chance to have fun again as a 30-year-old. I would go back every year if you put me in! Even if it wasn’t a TV show, just a retreat to find someone, I’d be there. Honestly, it’s one of the best shows in the in the universe right now.
‘I’ve been watching this series religiously, I’m absolutely obsessed with it. It’s a good series this year because there’s so much drama. Even early doors we had drama, plot twists. Thank you to the producers for doing this. They’ve smashed it.’
Giving her thoughts on this year’s cast, Ekin-Su continues, ‘Yasmin [Pettet]! I love her; she’s amazing. This girl is coming in, unafraid of stepping on anyone’s toes, throwing herself in the deep end. That is what an Islander should be doing.’
Following her introduction on Love Island, Ekin-Su made a name for herself in reality TV and doesn’t have any plans to stop. And with the news that Love Island’s Maura Higgins – coincidentally a fellow ex-girlfriend of Curtis – is set to follow in Ekin-Su’s footsteps by appearing on The Traitors US, Ekin-Su would be keen to try her hand in the I’m A Celebrity! jungle.
‘I would definitely do I’m A Celebrity, that’s not even a question. I think that and Strictly Come Dancing are the two shows I most want to do. Plus, after trekking, with all the midges, ticks and awful weather, I’m kind of like, “If I can do this trek, I can do the jungle!” I wouldn’t even be bothered about the hygiene because we didn’t wash our hair for a whole week in the tent.
‘I think, for me, I’d just really try to be who I am, the Ekin that people know from home. And I would probably just throw myself in at the deep end with the bugs and trials. But obviously, being realistic, if I couldn’t do something, you’d see me expressing that side on TV quite dramatically as well.’