Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu has opened up about hitting rock bottom. In an exclusive interview with The Mirror, the reality TV star reflected on the public's reaction to her time in the spotlight. She said: “For me, it doesn’t really feel any different. I’m a human being,.
"I go through ups and downs in life. I’ve hit rock bottom and I’m ok now and I’m feeling happy again. I feel like because I’m in the public eye, you lot get to experience that there’s different sides to me, when I’m vulnerable, I’m defensive and unfortunately in past shows, I have become like that but you learn from them, you take accountability and you just carry on and not everyone is going to love you.”
Ekin-Su’s time in the public eye has seen her navigate a mix of love and criticism. After her first appearance on Love Island, she was loved by many, but her time on Big Brother and her return to Love Island saw her facing more criticism.
The reality TV star shot to fame after joining Love Island in 2022, entering as a bombshell on day three. She quickly formed a connection with Davide Sanclimenti, and despite their rollercoaster journey in the villa, the pair went on to win the series. They remained together for a year and a half before calling it quits last year.
In January 2024, she took to Instagram with a statement that read: "The last 18 months have been a rollercoaster of ups and downs, just like every relationship. Davide and I both wanted to make this work as we cared deeply for each other. Unfortunately, I have recently made the decision to end our relationship and to go our separate ways. Breakups are never easy.
"For any couple. And we hope that our privacy will be respected at this time. I enjoyed our time together and will cherish the memories we made.
"Thank you for your continued support. It's been so lovely to have you follow our Love Island journeys together since the villa and we hope you'll continue to follow our careers as we go off in our own directions." Following the breakup, Ekin-Su gave Love Island a second shot, where she formed a strong connection with Curtis Pritchard.
The pair are still going strong, and elsewhere in the interview, Ekin-Su revealed that her beau is incredibly supportive.
When asked how it felt to be with Curtis, Ekin-Su made it clear that their relationship feels like the right one. “Do you know when you know when you’re in the right relationship, when it feels calm, you don’t have to change who you are, you don’t have to walk on eggshells," she said.
The reality TV star added: "You don’t have to please him, you trust your man, you trust you and you love yourself more. When you’re with the right person, you fall in love with yourself even more, because they support you for who you are.
"Honestly, it feels great and I don’t want nothing to spoil it. It just feels right and healthy, there’s nothing toxic. When I don’t hear from him for a few hours, I’m not anxious, I know he’s doing his thing, I’m doing my thing.”
