Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu

Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu (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. She moved to Loughton, Essex at the age of 10.

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

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). She also portrayed a serial killer in a Turkish soap opera.

In June 2022, Cülcüloğlu became a contestant on the eighth series of the reality dating show Love Island on ITV2. She entered the villa as a "bombshell" on Day 3 and won the series. Following her victory, she starred in a travel series with fellow winner Davide Sanclimenti on ITV2. Cülcüloğlu was offered the job of hosting Love Island after Laura Whitmore's departure, however she turned down the role and it was instead given to Maya Jama. She was also in talks to become a Loose Women panelist. 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. She also signed a deal with makeup brand BPerfect Cosmetics to become their brand ambassador. 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. She was eliminated in Week 4. 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.

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

Cülcüloğlu announced that her first book "Be Your Own Best Friend: And other lessons from a life lived in and out of the limelight" will be published in August 2024.

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

Personal life
Cülcüloğlu splits her time between Essex and Istanbul. Her hobbies include ice skating, reading, walking, and going to the gym.

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.

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

Filmography
Guest Appearances:

Loose Women, 1 episode (08/08/2022)

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

Lorraine, 1 episode (15/08/2022)

This Morning, 1 episode (05/09/2022)

Good Morning Britain, 3 episodes (25/11/2022, 09/05/2023 & 08/06/2023)

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

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.