Backlash is just a part of being in the public eye'

Reality star Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu on dealing with haters, taking a break from dating and finding new confidence at 30

- KENZI DEVINE

For Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu, it’s been a rocky ride on the way to finding self-acceptance. The former Love Island star has four million Instagram followers and a booming reality TV career, but has been working on finding a balance between work and time for herself.

Her recent 30th birthday came at the perfect time to begin a new chapter, with Ekin-Su describing the milestone as a “fresh beginning” as she chats with OK!.

“In the last few months, especially around my birthday, I felt this shift between 29 to 30. You see things differently. It’s true what they say: things can change overnight,” she tells us, glowing with new-found confidence. “I have a lot more boundaries now. I feel like life is so short, the little things don’t really bother me any more.”

Two years ago, Ekin-Su was catapulted into the limelight following a winning stint on Love Island. The London-born star left the ITV2 villa with Italian boyfriend Davide Sanclimenti and a string of exciting opportunities awaiting her.

But as 2024 kicked off, things got tough for Ekin-Su. First, she announced her break-up from Davide. Two months later, she entered the Celebrity Big Brother house, but despite being excited about the experience, Ekin-Su was the fourth person to be evicted, after housemates accused her of being “fake”. Upon leaving, she was greeted with boos from the live audience.

This shook the star and, shortly afterwards, she described herself as “damaged”. So how is she doing now?

“I’m much better than I’ve ever been,” she beams. “It’s crazy how much everything’s changed. That was the past and I don’t regret anything. I just smile at it now. I’m great.

“At the time, you blame yourself for things not going right, and you take accountability – I’ve used that word a lot: accountability – but now I’m kind of at the stage where I’m past everything. Backlash is just a part of being in the public eye.