When Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu entered the Love Island villa in 2022 on Day 3 as a bombshell contestant, no one predicted she would become the series’ most iconic winner — let alone that she would be earning an estimated £1.6 million net worth and appearing on American reality TV within two years. The Turkish-British actress turned reality star has proven to be one of the most versatile and enduring Love Island alumni, consistently finding new formats and audiences long after most contestants fade from public view.
| Full Name | Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 21 June 1994 |
| Age | 31 years old (2026) |
| Nationality | British-Turkish |
| Profession | TV Personality, Actress, Model, Brand Ambassador |
| Net Worth | £1.6 Million (2026) |
| Partner | Curtis Pritchard (from 2025) |
| Known For | Love Island Series 8 winner, Dancing on Ice, The Traitors US, Celebrity Big Brother 2024 |
Early Life & Background
Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu was born on 21 June 1994 in London to a Turkish family. She grew up in the UK and developed an early passion for performance, studying drama and pursuing acting professionally before reality TV came into her life. She appeared in several Turkish TV productions and UK independent projects, building a modest acting career that provided a foundation for the performance skills she would later deploy to extraordinary effect on Love Island.
Her Turkish-British identity has been central to her public persona — she has spoken frequently about the importance of representation for dual-heritage British people in mainstream entertainment, and her success has made her a significant figure in both UK and Turkish media landscapes. Before Love Island, she was known primarily within Turkish diaspora communities in the UK; after winning Series 8, she became one of the most-recognised faces in British popular culture.
Career Timeline
Love Island Series 8 and the Oh Polly Deal (2022)
Ekin-Su entered Love Island Series 8 in June 2022 and proceeded to deliver some of the most memorable moments in the show’s history — none more so than her famous crawl along a terrace to have a secret conversation with another contestant, a scene that became one of the most-watched clips in Love Island’s online history. Her theatrical flair, quick wit and emotional expressiveness made her the standout figure of the series.
She and partner Davide Sanclimenti won Series 8 — the most-watched Love Island final on record — and within weeks had secured a joint ITV2 travel series. Ekin-Su personally signed a brand ambassador deal with Oh Polly, the fashion retailer, reportedly worth £1 million, and walked for Oh Polly at New York Fashion Week in September 2022. These deals established her as one of the fastest commercially-realised Love Island winners in the show’s history.
Dancing on Ice and the Highest-Paid Love Island Star Fee (2023)
In 2023, Ekin-Su became the highest-paid Love Island star in Dancing on Ice history, signing for a reported £100,000 appearance fee. Although she was eliminated in Week 4, the appearance demonstrated her appeal beyond the Love Island demographic — Dancing on Ice attracts a broader, older UK audience than reality dating shows. The fee represented a significant premium over previous Love Island contestants who had done the show, reflecting her commercial standing at the time.
American Reality TV Expansion (2024–2025)
In 2024, Ekin-Su made the strategic move into American reality TV, appearing on The Traitors US Season 2 on Peacock. This was a significant career pivot — competing on an American network platform alongside American celebrities introduced her to audiences who had no awareness of Love Island. She also appeared on Celebrity Big Brother UK in 2024 before returning to the Love Island universe in the All Stars series in 2025 with new partner Curtis Pritchard.
Net Worth & Income Sources
Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu’s net worth is estimated at £1.6 million in 2026. Her income streams reflect the reality TV-to-influencer-to-entertainment pipeline: early brand deals provide a capital base, while TV appearances and social media maintain ongoing income.
| Income Source | Estimated Amount | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oh Polly Brand Deal (2022) | £800K–1M | One-time (personal) | Multi-year brand ambassador deal; walked New York Fashion Week |
| Dancing on Ice Fee (2023) | £100K | One-time (personal) | Highest-paid Love Island contestant in DOI history at time of signing |
| The Traitors US Season 2 (2024) | £150K–250K | One-time (personal) | US Peacock production; expanded her international profile significantly |
| Celebrity Big Brother 2024 | £80K–120K | One-time (personal) | Standard celebrity BB appearance fee range |
| Instagram Sponsorships | £150K–250K/year | Annual (personal) | 3M+ followers; selective deal strategy since 2023 |
| Love Island All Stars 2025 | £50K–80K | One-time (personal) | Return appearance fee; also generated fresh brand partnership interest |
| Estimated Total Net Worth | £1.6 Million (2026) | ||
Net Worth Over Time
Ekin-Su’s financial trajectory saw its sharpest rise immediately after Love Island — the Oh Polly deal and subsequent brand partnerships in 2022–2023 established a strong earnings base. Her net worth likely peaked around £1.8–2 million in 2023 at the height of her UK popularity. The 2024 American TV pivot was partially motivated by the desire to sustain commercial relevance beyond the 12–18 month post-Love Island peak, though her UK earnings remained strong throughout.
Personal Life & Relationships
Ekin-Su’s relationship with Love Island co-winner Davide Sanclimenti ended in late 2023, ending their high-profile romance after over a year together. The breakup was widely covered in UK media but Ekin-Su handled it with notable composure, focusing on her TV projects rather than public drama.
In 2025, she began a relationship with Curtis Pritchard — himself a former Love Island contestant from Series 5 — during Love Island All Stars. The couple have since confirmed their relationship publicly and have been regularly featured in UK media together. Ekin-Su has spoken warmly about the fresh start the relationship represents.
Little-Known Facts
- Ekin-Su had a professional acting career in Turkish TV productions before ever appearing on Love Island — she is genuinely trained as an actress, not just a reality performer.
- Her Series 8 Love Island final attracted the highest viewership in the show’s history, with the finale watched by over 3.4 million viewers.
- She was eliminated from Dancing on Ice in Week 4 despite being the highest-paid contestant in the show’s history among Love Island alumni.
- Her famous terrace crawl scene in the Love Island villa has been viewed tens of millions of times on social media platforms worldwide.
- She is the first Love Island UK winner to have appeared on a major US streaming platform’s reality competition series (The Traitors US, Peacock).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ekin-Su’s net worth in 2026?
Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu’s net worth is estimated at £1.6 million in 2026. Her wealth has come primarily from her £1 million Oh Polly brand deal following Love Island, her Dancing on Ice fee (the highest ever paid to a Love Island alumni on the show), US TV appearances including The Traitors Season 2, and ongoing Instagram sponsorships.
What nationality is Ekin-Su?
Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu is British-Turkish. She was born in London to a Turkish family and grew up in the UK. She has spoken frequently about the importance of her dual heritage and has become a significant figure in both UK and Turkish media landscapes since winning Love Island in 2022.
Who is Ekin-Su with in 2026?
Ekin-Su is in a relationship with Curtis Pritchard in 2026. The couple began their romance on Love Island All Stars in 2025 and have publicly confirmed their relationship. Curtis is a former Love Island Series 5 contestant and professional dancer. Their pairing was one of the most talked-about storylines of Love Island All Stars 2025.
Did Ekin-Su win any Dancing on Ice prizes?
No, Ekin-Su did not win Dancing on Ice — she was eliminated in Week 4 of the 2023 series. Despite being the highest-paid Love Island contestant in the show’s history, her skater ranking did not match her commercial standing. She has spoken positively about the experience, noting that it took her outside her comfort zone in a valuable way.
Was Ekin-Su on The Traitors US?
Yes, Ekin-Su appeared on The Traitors US Season 2 on Peacock in 2024. It was a major career move that introduced her to American audiences who had no awareness of Love Island. Although the show is filmed in Scotland and has the same format as the UK version, appearing on the American production placed her in a higher-profile international context and expanded her commercial reach significantly.
What is Ekin-Su doing in 2026?
In 2026, Ekin-Su is focused on her relationship with Curtis Pritchard, her brand partnerships, and continuing her television career. She has spoken about her ambition to pursue more acting work alongside the reality TV circuit and has explored opportunities in both UK and Turkish media markets. Her profile remains strong in the UK two years after winning Love Island.