Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu Reflects on Celebrity Big Brother, Toxic Relationships, and Her Journey to Self-Love
Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu opens up about her tumultuous Celebrity Big Brother experience, her toxic relationship with Davide Sanclimenti, and her journey towards self-love and healing.
Bollywood Fever: Six months ago, Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu entered the Celebrity Big Brother house riding high on her newfound fame. Fresh off her victory on Love Island 2022 and a successful appearance on The Traitors US, her profile was skyrocketing.
But her time in the CBB house was short-lived, as she became the fourth contestant to be evicted, facing accusations of being “fake” and “playing a role” from her fellow housemates.
Leaving the house to jeers and boos, Ekin-Su admits the reaction was devastating. “I felt like my career was over,” she confides. “I was getting death threats. I told my family I had been canceled, packed a bag, and left the country.”
Rather than blaming others, the nearly 30-year-old star spent the last few months in therapy, taking ownership of her experience. “I made a wrong decision to go in there, and I know that,” she says. “I didn’t expect it to be so intense… I wasn’t in the right headspace and I admit I wasn’t myself.”
Reflecting on her time in the CBB house, Ekin-Su explains that her defensive behavior stemmed from unresolved issues, particularly related to her tumultuous relationship with Davide Sanclimenti, her Love Island co-winner. “Everything felt linked to him. My anger was for him, not the [CBB] housemates,” she admits.
The challenges of CBB were compounded when she was grilled on Big Brother: Late And Live by a celebrity panel, where she felt attacked by people she once admired. “I was so disappointed… People were so angry with me,” she recalls.
Ekin-Su’s relationship with Davide was a rollercoaster, filled with allegations of infidelity and emotional turmoil. Despite attempts to reconcile, they ultimately broke up for good in January 2024. “I’m glad it’s over,” she says. “It was a toxic relationship that left a lot of emotional scars.”
Now, Ekin-Su is focused on healing and self-love. She’s preparing for a month-long trip to the United States, including attending the Emmys, where The Traitors US is up for four awards. Her friends have even nicknamed her “The Comeback Kid” as she looks forward to potential new work opportunities in Hollywood.
In her upcoming book, Be Your Own Best Friend, Ekin-Su opens up about past toxic relationships, including a terrifying experience with a controlling ex who hacked her phone and blackmailed her. “I was really traumatized,” she admits.
Today, Ekin-Su is enjoying single life, dating cautiously, and learning to prioritize her own happiness. “I have to learn to give myself the love that I seek from other people,” she says.
As for a potential return to reality TV, Ekin-Su isn’t ruling anything out but acknowledges the emotional toll it can take. “I love Love Island but Big Brother scarred me… Forget Love Island, it would be more like an episode of EastEnders!”
With a renewed focus on self-worth and growth, Ekin-Su is ready to leave the past behind and embrace whatever comes next.
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