IN CONVERSATION WITH EKIN-SU CÜLCÜLOĞLU
interview by JANA LETONJA
photography by KYLE GALVIN
Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu has entered 2025 in full reinvention mode—transforming from UK reality royalty into a cross-continental it-girl redefining modern beauty, influence, and creative leadership. Fresh off speaking at the United Nations’ Creative Women Assembly on “Creativity, Innovation & Next-Gen Leadership,” the British-Turkish actress, author, and cultural figure is embracing a new era that prioritizes storytelling, substance, and self-expression. With a journey spanning ‘Love Island’ fame, Netflix’s ‘Inside: USA’, Venice Film Festival appearances, and a fast-growing slate of acting and passion projects, Ekin-Su is carving out a multidimensional global presence. As a British Red Cross ambassador and the author of ‘Be Your Own Best Friend’, she uses her platform to champion confidence, individuality, and purpose-driven influence.
2025 has been your year of transformation. What sparked this reinvention, and what does this new chapter feel like for you?
I think I just reached a point where I wanted to stop waiting for people to “get” me and start showing them who I really am. I’ve grown up a lot in the public eye. People have seen me fall in love, fall apart, and rebuild myself. This new chapter feels lighter, freer, more me. I’m doing projects that excite me, working with people who inspire me, and I feel like I’m in the driver’s seat of my own story.
You’ve evolved from reality star to actress, author, ambassador, and global it-girl. How do you define yourself today?
Honestly, I’d say I’m a storyteller. Whether it’s through acting, writing or fashion, I love connecting with people through emotion and story telling. I’m proud of the “it-girl” side, but there’s also a lot of depth behind it. I’ve learned you can be ambitious and emotional, and you can also be bold and kind. I’m a mix of all of it.
When did you first feel ready to take control of your own narrative rather than let the public define it for you?
Probably after CBB. That show came with a lot of opinions and labels. I realized that if I didn’t define myself, someone else would do it for me. So I started saying yes to opportunities that reflected who I actually am, such as my book, speaking at the UN, or taking on international projects. Once I stopped trying to please everyone, things started falling into place.
You’ve moved between British television, Turkish drama, and global streaming hits. How has each environment shaped you as an artist?
Every country has such a different energy. In Turkey, the acting world is incredibly emotional and expressive, and it taught me intensity. The UK gave me discipline and drive. Now, working on international projects in the US has shown me how powerful it is to mix all those influences. I feel lucky that my background lets me move between cultures and countries.
You’ve become a fixture at fashion weeks and film festivals. How do these worlds fuel your creativity?
Fashion and film both tell stories, just in different languages. I see a runway look the same way I see a character. There’s a mood, a message, an emotion behind it. I love dressing up and experimenting with different aesthetics. Whether I’m at the Venice Film Festival or NYFW, I always take inspiration from the people, the art, the energy.
Your book ‘Be Your Own Best Friend’ resonated deeply with readers. What was the most vulnerable part of writing it?
Honestly, admitting the moments when I didn’t feel confident. People assume I’ve always had it together, but that’s not true. Writing about heartbreak, rejection, and learning to pick myself up again, that was hard. But it was also healing. I wanted people to see that even when life feels messy, you can still find strength within.
How do you personally practice self-love and resilience on challenging days?
It’s the little things. I’ll journal, go for a walk, call my family or friends, do a face mask, anything that helps me reconnect with myself. I remind myself that I’ve overcome so much already, and one bad day doesn’t define me. I also talk to myself kindly now. I used to be so hard on myself, but I’ve learned to speak to myself like I would a best friend.
Social media can both empower and overwhelm—how do you navigate being so publicly visible?
It’s definitely a balance. I love connecting with people online. It’s how I built so much of my career. I also know when to switch off. I’m not afraid to take breaks or post less when I need space. At the end of the day, I share what feels right. I think people can feel when you’re being real versus when you’re performing.
As British Red Cross ambassador, what humanitarian issues are most important to you right now?
For me, it’s all about using my platform to help people feel seen and supported. I’ve been focusing a lot on women’s safety initiatives. I come from a Turkish background, and giving back to communities affected by a crisis means a lot to me. Even small acts of kindness can have a huge ripple effect and I really believe in that.
You’ve said 2026 will be your biggest creative year yet. What can you tease about what’s coming?
Let’s just say there’s a lot to look forward to. Acting is very much back on the cards. I’ve been in talks for a few projects I’m really excited about. I would love to do ‘Dancing With the Stars’. I think it would be such a fun way to show a different side of me. There are also some fashion and beauty projects in the works that feel very aligned with where I am now. 2026 is my fearless era. I’m creating, I’m growing, and I’m having fun with it.
