Ekin-Su Culculoglu has been seen for the first time since she pulled out of the Celebrity Big Brother final on Friday night.
The reality personality, 29, recently said she has been ‘taking some time away to reflect’ on her time on the ITV show, after suffering public backlash.
Ekin-Su skipped the final, where David Potts was crowned the winner, due to the trolling she had received during and after her time in the house.
Ekin-Su was pictured for the first time since leaving the show on Tuesday, while leaving a gruelling gym session in London.
The former Love Island star was wrapped up in a leather trench coat, which she wore over her nude gym leggings and a black top.
Ekin-Su Culculoglu has been seen for the first time since she pulled out of the Celebrity Big Brother final on Friday night
The reality personality, 29, said she has been ‘taking some time away to reflect’ on her time on the ITV show, after suffering public backlash
Ekin-Su skipped the final, where David Potts was crowned the winner, due to the trolling she had received during and after her time in the house
Ekin-Su wore her brunette locks were worn loose and she accessorised with a navy Miami Beach baseball cap.
The endorphins appeared to be flowing following Ekin-Su’s work out as she snapped a series of selfies on her phone while leaving the gym.
Ekin-Su’s outing comes after she broke her silence following her withdrawal from the Celebrity Big Brother final, saying she believes it’s ‘the right decision’ after suffering a post-eviction backlash.
revealed on Thursday that she would not be attending after her management felt the influencer was too ‘vulnerable’ to return in light of her turbulent time on the ITV series and subsequent drama-filled spin-off show appearance.
Ekin-Su was embroiled in a bullying row after she was booed by the studio audience, goaded by guest star Layton Williams and ‘mocked’ by hosts AJ Adudu and Will Best, the latter branding her ‘Ekin Boo Hoo Hoo’, during her appearance on ITV2’s Late & Live shortly after her eviction.
The model sparked the onslaught by claiming she was ‘edited badly’, after being informed by loved ones that she was at risk of being ‘cancelled’ and fans had ‘turned against her’ due to the way she had been portrayed.
The reaction of the show’s hosts and guests triggered hundreds of Ofcom complaints and ex-CBB host Davina McCall reminding ITV of their duty of care.
But now Ekin-Su has taken control of the situation with an empowering message addressing her absence from the final and looking ahead to her next chapter.
Ekin-Su was pictured for the first time since leaving the show on Tuesday, while leaving a gruelling gym session in London
The former Love Island star was wrapped up in a leather trench coat, which she wore over her nude gym leggings and a black top
Ekin-Su ‘s outing comes after she broke her silence following her withdrawal from the Celebrity Big Brother final, saying she believes it’s ‘the right decision’ after suffering a post-eviction backlash (pictured on Late and Live on March 15)
The model has confided in her inner circle that it’s clear she has some work to do on herself, and everyone is beyond happy that the strong woman they know and love, is setting boundaries and working on herself.
Friends think her decision to be honest and open with fans, is refreshing, and have applauded her unapologetic decision to do what’s best for her in this moment – regardless of outside pressures about attending the final.
Ekin-Su said: ‘I know it’s unlike me to hide away, but I’ve been taking some time to reflect.
‘Sometimes in our lowest moments, we learn the most important lessons about ourselves.
‘I hope you don’t think I am selfish for setting boundaries and putting my own needs first last night.
‘I’m fully aware that not everybody will understand my absence, or think it was the right decision to make, BUT it was the right decision for me.
‘I chose to remove myself from a potentially uncomfortable situation that I preferred to avoid.
‘I’m proud of myself for recognising what I need during this time, despite the hate that might come my way.
Ekin-Su wore her brunette locks were worn loose and she accessorised with a navy Miami Beach baseball cap
Ekin-Su rehydrated with a green juice after the session
Ekin-Su has taken control of the situation with an empowering message addressing her absence from the final and looking ahead to her next chapter
‘Accountability is key and when I’m ready, I will give some context around these past few weeks. Thank you to everybody who has sent kindness my way, I see you, and I appreciate you. The new chapter starts now.’
She added: ‘I hope everybody enjoyed watching the CBB final. A huge congratulations to David for the win.’
Following her stint on Late & Live, Ekin-Su was also falsely accused of cancelling her guest slot on ITV1 show Lorraine on Monday, despite never being confirmed to appear, which forced ITV and host Lorraine Kelly into issuing an apology on Tuesday.
And her time in the house was also tinged with accusations she was being harshly treated, which former housemate Levi Roots alluded to in his exit chat when he claimed Ekin-Su had been victim of ‘micro-bullying’.
A source close to Ekin-Su told on Thursday her decision to star in Celebrity Big Brother had backfired and she regrets signing up, especially so soon after her break-up from Love Island co-star Davide Sanclimenti in January after two years.
Ekin-Su has privately admitted choosing to appear on Celebrity Big Brother after splitting from Davide Sanclimenti in January was, in hindsight, the wrong decision
The source said: ‘Ekin-Su, in hindsight, feels the decision to enter the house after a very public separation, was perhaps not the right decision, as she carried a lot of raw emotion and unresolved feelings into the house.
‘However, she understands she must be accountable for a few things that have happened.’
Ibiza Weekender star David was hot favourite going into the final and proved the bookies right, pipping Strictly’s Nikita Kuzmin who finished runner-up.
Former X Factor judge Louis, TV host Fern Britton and Coronation Street star Colson Smith also made it to the final day.