Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu’s net worth is estimated at £1.6 million as of 2026, a remarkable achievement for a reality star who went from Turkish soap operas to becoming one of Britain’s most commercially successful Love Island alumni. Within weeks of winning the 2022 series, she had already secured a £1 million deal with fashion brand Oh Polly — the largest brand partnership ever awarded to a Love Island contestant at that time.
Born to Turkish-Cypriot parents in London but shaped by years working in Istanbul’s competitive television industry, Ekin-Su brings a unique combination of professional acting experience and unscripted reality gold that has made her one of the most recognisable British-Turkish personalities in entertainment. Her Love Island arc — from controversial early weeks to series winner — became appointment viewing for eight million viewers nightly.
| Full Name | Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | May 21, 1994 |
| Age | 31 years old (2026) |
| Nationality | British-Turkish |
| Profession | Reality TV star, Actress, Model |
| Net Worth | £1.6 Million (~$2M, 2026) |
| Partner | Curtis Pritchard (2025–present) |
| Known For | Love Island 2022 winner, Oh Polly deal, Dancing on Ice |
Early Life & Background
Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu was born on May 21, 1994, in Dagenham, East London, to a Turkish-Cypriot family with roots in the Muğla region of Turkey. Growing up in a culturally rich household where Turkish was spoken at home, Ekin-Su developed a deep appreciation for her heritage from an early age. Her parents, who worked tirelessly to provide opportunities for their children, recognised Ekin-Su’s natural charisma and enthusiasm for performance.
She attended school in East London before enrolling in a performing arts programme, where her talent for acting became increasingly apparent. Unlike many of her British contemporaries who aimed for stage or screen work in the UK, Ekin-Su made a bold and unconventional choice in her early twenties: she relocated to Istanbul, Turkey, to pursue a career in the lucrative Turkish television drama industry.
Turkish soap operas — known as “dizi” — are among the most-watched television programmes in the world, with audiences spanning the Middle East, the Balkans, and Latin America. Breaking into this competitive industry as a British-Turkish actress was no small feat, and it required Ekin-Su to dedicate years to perfecting her Turkish language skills and navigating an entirely different television culture. She landed roles in several productions, building a professional résumé that would set her apart from typical reality TV contestants.
Career Timeline
Turkish Television Years (2016–2022)
Between 2016 and 2022, Ekin-Su built her acting credentials in Turkey, appearing in multiple drama series. Her time in Istanbul gave her not only professional experience but also a resilience and work ethic that she would later channel into her television appearances in the UK. She developed a profile on social media during this period, accumulating a modest following thanks to her striking appearance and engaging personality.
Love Island 2022: The Game-Changer
Everything changed in the summer of 2022 when Ekin-Su entered the Love Island villa in Majorca, Spain. Initially entering as a bombshell — a late addition designed to shake up existing couples — her dramatic early weeks generated enormous social media debate. A scene in which she crawled along the terrace to speak to a fellow contestant became one of the most meme-shared moments in the show’s history, simultaneously making her a target for criticism and earning her a devoted following.
As the series progressed, Ekin-Su’s authentic personality, sharp wit, and dramatic flair won over both the public and her fellow islanders. She coupled up with Italian model Davide Sanclimenti, and the pair’s fiery, passionate dynamic captivated viewers. They won the series with 63.7% of the public vote — the highest winning margin in recent series history. The £25,000 prize money was almost a footnote compared to what followed.
Post-Love Island: Brand Deals and Television (2022–2025)
Within weeks of leaving the villa, Ekin-Su signed with Oh Polly in a reported £1 million deal — the largest single brand partnership in Love Island history at that time. The collaboration, which included a clothing range bearing her name, sold out multiple times and demonstrated her extraordinary commercial appeal. She also partnered with BPerfect Cosmetics for a highly successful makeup range that resonated particularly strongly with her British-Turkish fanbase.
In early 2023, she was announced as a contestant on Dancing on Ice, where she reportedly earned £100,000 — making her the highest-paid Love Island alumna to appear on the show at that point. Though she did not win, her performances were warmly received and extended her mainstream television appeal beyond the reality TV genre.
In 2024, she entered Celebrity Big Brother, adding another high-profile television credit and significant appearance fee to her growing portfolio. By 2025, she appeared on Love Island All Stars alongside Irish professional dancer Curtis Pritchard — forming a new romantic relationship that quickly became public.
Net Worth & Income Sources
Ekin-Su’s £1.6 million net worth has been built primarily through brand partnerships rather than traditional television salaries. Her commercial savvy — demonstrated by the calibre of brands she has associated herself with and the speed at which she monetised her Love Island win — marks her out as one of the more strategically minded reality TV alumni of her generation.
| Income Source | Estimated Amount | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oh Polly Brand Deal | £1,000,000 | One-time (gross) | Fashion brand partnership post Love Island — largest deal in show history at time |
| Dancing on Ice | £100,000 | One-time (personal) | Reported appearance fee for 2023 series — highest of any Love Island alumna at that time |
| BPerfect Cosmetics | £100,000–£200,000 | One-time (personal) | Makeup collaboration line, multiple sell-out drops |
| Celebrity Big Brother | £50,000–£100,000 | One-time (personal) | Estimated appearance fee for 2024 series |
| Instagram & Social Media | £150,000–£250,000/yr | Annual (personal) | Sponsored posts across 3M+ followers; rate estimated at £3,000–5,000 per post |
| Love Island All Stars 2025 | £50,000–£80,000 | One-time (personal) | Estimated appearance fee for returning contestant |
| Estimated Total Net Worth | £1.6 Million (2026) | ||
Net Worth Over Time
Before Love Island 2022, Ekin-Su had a limited social media following and negligible commercial net worth from her UK perspective. The £1 million Oh Polly deal and subsequent brand partnerships transformed her financial position almost overnight. By the end of 2022, she was estimated to be worth £600,000–£800,000. Dancing on Ice and Celebrity Big Brother continued to add to her earnings through 2023 and 2024. By 2026, sustained social media income and ongoing brand collaborations have brought her estimated net worth to £1.6 million.
Personal Life & Relationships
Ekin-Su’s romantic life has been very much in the public eye since her Love Island debut. She and co-winner Davide Sanclimenti — an Italian entrepreneur and model based in Manchester — became one of the most celebrated couples to emerge from the 2022 series. They appeared together in numerous brand campaigns and television specials, but confirmed their split in late 2022, citing the pressures of public life.
In early 2025, Ekin-Su entered Love Island All Stars alongside other returning islanders, where she met Irish professional dancer Curtis Pritchard — a former Love Island 2019 contestant who had previously been in a relationship with Maura Higgins. Their connection on the show developed into a genuine relationship, and as of 2026, the pair are reported to be together.
Beyond romance, Ekin-Su has spoken openly about her Turkish-Cypriot identity and the importance of representation in British media. She has participated in United Nations events focused on creativity and global leadership, reflecting an ambition that extends beyond entertainment into broader cultural advocacy.
Little-Known Facts
- Ekin-Su is fluent in both English and Turkish, having lived and worked in Istanbul for several years before Love Island.
- Her Love Island 2022 victory came with 63.7% of the final public vote — one of the largest winning margins in the show’s recent history.
- The Oh Polly deal she signed post-Love Island was worth a reported £1 million — at the time the largest single brand deal in Love Island history.
- She participated in a United Nations event focused on creativity, reinvention, and global leadership — expanding her profile well beyond reality television.
- Her Dancing on Ice appearance fee of £100,000 made her the highest-paid Love Island alumna to appear on the show at that point.
- She has over 3 million Instagram followers and her sponsored posts are estimated to earn £3,000–£5,000 per post.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu’s net worth in 2026?
Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu’s net worth is estimated at approximately £1.6 million as of 2026. The bulk of this wealth was built through a £1 million deal with Oh Polly signed shortly after winning Love Island 2022, combined with television appearance fees, brand partnerships, and social media income.
How much did Ekin-Su earn from the Oh Polly deal?
Ekin-Su reportedly signed a £1 million partnership with fashion brand Oh Polly shortly after winning Love Island 2022. This was the largest single brand deal in Love Island history at the time and remains a landmark moment in reality TV commercialisation.
Is Ekin-Su Turkish or British?
Ekin-Su is British-Turkish. She was born in Dagenham, East London, to Turkish-Cypriot parents and grew up in the UK. However, she relocated to Istanbul in her early twenties to pursue an acting career in Turkish television dramas, spending several years living and working in Turkey.
Did Ekin-Su and Davide Sanclimenti break up?
Yes, Ekin-Su and Davide Sanclimenti — who won Love Island 2022 together — confirmed their split in late 2022, approximately five months after leaving the villa. Despite the split, both have continued to build successful careers independently. Ekin-Su later appeared on Love Island All Stars 2025, where she formed a relationship with Curtis Pritchard.
What did Ekin-Su do after Love Island?
After winning Love Island 2022, Ekin-Su secured the Oh Polly deal, competed on Dancing on Ice in 2023, appeared on Celebrity Big Brother in 2024, and returned to Love Island on the All Stars series in 2025. She has also built a substantial social media following and participated in international events including United Nations forums.
How much did Ekin-Su earn from Dancing on Ice?
Ekin-Su reportedly earned £100,000 for her appearance on Dancing on Ice in 2023, making her the highest-paid Love Island alumna to have appeared on the show at that time. Though she did not win the competition, her performances were widely praised.
Who is Ekin-Su’s partner in 2026?
As of 2026, Ekin-Su is reported to be in a relationship with Curtis Pritchard, an Irish professional dancer who first appeared on Love Island in 2019. The pair met on Love Island All Stars 2025, where their connection developed into a public relationship.
How many Instagram followers does Ekin-Su have?
As of 2026, Ekin-Su has over 3 million Instagram followers. This substantial social media presence generates significant income through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, and promotional content, contributing meaningfully to her overall net worth.
Did Ekin-Su work as an actress before Love Island?
Yes. Before appearing on Love Island, Ekin-Su worked as an actress in Turkish television dramas — known as “dizi” — in Istanbul. She spent several years building her acting credentials in Turkey’s competitive television industry, which gave her a professional performance background that distinguished her from many reality TV contestants.