Love Island Star Ekin-Su Candidly Discusses the Psychological Toll of Fame
Ekin-Su Cülcüloglu, one of Love Island's most iconic contestants, has opened up exclusively about the significant downsides of sudden celebrity status and its profound impact on mental wellbeing. The reality television star, who rose to fame after winning the 2022 series alongside Davide Sanclimenti, reveals that life in the spotlight is far from the glamorous fantasy many perceive.
The Pressure of Public Scrutiny and Loss of Privacy
"People start to look at you as a moneymaker or an object, and start to want to know your business," Ekin-Su explains. "You become paranoid and sometimes you can't have a private life. That can be quite scary and anxiety-provoking. You have to be very strong to be in this industry."
The 31-year-old Essex native, who has remained in the public eye through appearances on Dancing On Ice, Celebrity Big Brother, and The Traitors US, describes learning to develop resilience against criticism. "If people are hating on you, it's a good thing, because if no one's hating on you, you're obviously not doing something right," she reflects with a philosophical perspective.
Reflections on Love Island Experiences and Gender Disparities
Ekin-Su returned to the Love Island franchise in January 2025 for the All Stars series in South Africa, where she placed third with partner Curtis Pritchard. Despite this success, she firmly states she would never return to the villa again. "I'm not going back on that show ever again. Those days are done and dusted," she declares emphatically.
The reality star offers insightful observations about how men and women experience fame differently within the entertainment industry. "I think men deal with fame differently," she notes. "Guys can be quite closed-in, and say to themselves, 'I've got this.'"
She references the tragic 2019 suicide of fellow Love Island contestant Mike Thalassitis as a heartbreaking example of how unaddressed pressures can accumulate. "That was because of things that were building up. He didn't speak to anyone," she observes somberly.
Industry Sexism and Unequal Consequences
Ekin-Su identifies significant gender disparities in how celebrities are treated when controversies arise. "I'd say us women have to be more careful with how we come across," she explains. "There have been several occasions where a guy has done something illegal, and he's back working with a brand in a month's time. If a woman did that, she'd be shamed, maybe even cancelled and can't get work."
She advocates for more equitable standards, stating, "I think there should be equal consequences, but there is a bit of sexism, especially in the TV world, unfortunately."
Childhood Bullying and Humble Beginnings
Despite her current jet-set lifestyle and designer wardrobe, Ekin-Su reveals a difficult upbringing marked by financial struggles and severe bullying. "It was lonely nights, bullying at school, eating my lunch in a toilet," she recalls of her teenage years. "It was constantly being picked on because of my name, so I changed it at university. It was a very hard life."
The star describes working in restaurants and bars while growing up without financial support from her parents. "I lived in Turkey for three years. I literally had £1,000 in my bank account," she shares. "Everyone was buying houses and had some sort of income and I just felt like literally nobody."
From Finance to Fame: An Unlikely Journey
Before finding television success, Ekin-Su worked a finance job in London that left her deeply unfulfilled. "I hated the job," she admits. "It was Monday to Friday working in the City, looking at a screen. It paid good money and I could afford my phone bill and go to the pub, but it wasn't something I enjoyed."
After quitting her corporate position, she purchased a one-way ticket to Istanbul where she began auditioning for acting roles, eventually landing a part on a Turkish soap opera before securing her career-making spot on Love Island.
Ekin-Su's journey from bullied schoolgirl eating lunch in toilet stalls to international reality television star illustrates both the transformative possibilities and psychological costs of modern celebrity culture.
