Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu has revealed she is quitting reality TV to pivot back to serious acting, with ambitions to crack America. The Love Island winner, 31, previously starred in a Turkish TV series and soap before rising to fame on ITV's Love Island in 2022, and she says she intends to return to scripted projects.
She told The Sun she is keeping plans private while acknowledging that reality television is where she started, but she prefers a return to roots with more scripted work. She also revealed plans to spend a month in the United States and expressed a dream of breaking into Hollywood, noting that while it is a common aspiration, it is not easy.
Her appearance at New York Fashion Week marked another career pivot. She attended the Bronx and Banco Spring 2026 show on Tuesday, sitting on the front row with fellow Love Island alum Grace Jackson. Her outfit drew attention for its bold silhouette and cutouts, underscoring her push into fashion-forward appearances as she shifts professional focus.
On the US front, Ekin-Su has been tapped for Inside: USA, a Netflix reality series based on a Sidemen format. The 2025 premiere date is September 21. The show brings together internet personalities who live under one roof and compete for a shared prize, with basic necessities available at a cost. Ekin-Su will share the house with a mix of American celebrities, including Selling Sunset's Breana “Bre” Tiesi, and a lineup of streamers and YouTubers such as Sketch, Jay Cinco, Sydney Thomas and Max Fosh.
Her decision to pursue acting comes after a challenging period in early 2024, including the aftermath of Celebrity Big Brother. She said she endured death threats after the show aired and described the experience as a low point, which led her to seek therapy for her mental health.
With Inside: USA in the works and renewed attention on her acting ambitions, Ekin-Su is positioned for a new chapter away from reality TV. Comment requests to her representatives were not immediately answered.