'You have to be strong to do Love Island'

Ekin-Su Cülcüloglu reveals how mentally challenging the villa can be, with a warning for this year's new housemates

- OLIVIA WHEELER

Ekin-Su Cülcüloglu soared to fame on Love Island in 2022, which she won with boyfriend Davide Sanclimenti, and her star has been shining ever since.

Ekin-Su, 28, has appeared on Dancing On Ice, filmed her own travel show with Davide, also 28, and signed numerous record- breaking brand partnerships.

However, if any hopefuls are aiming to follow in her Louboutins, Ekin-Su has some advice. “It is a very mentally hard place to be in, you have to be strong to apply and I am not just saying that, you have to be,” she warns.

But she would still encourage other young women to apply, if they think they can handle the pressure. “You just have to be yourself, that is all I can say. If you don’t know who you are, then that is something else you have to work on,” Ekin-Su told students at the Cambridge Union Society.

Being herself was something that helped Ekin-Su during her time in the villa as she claims she often felt “bitchy vibes” on the ITV set.

“You don’t have to look like a model or Barbie to go on there, as I didn’t! When I looked in the mirror, I felt bitchy vibes [around me],” Ekin-Su tells new.

“I am not going to lie, and I was older [than the others] so I just said it straight. I am not just that girl who is nice to you. I wasn’t there to make friends, I wasn’t there to mess around.”