Ekin-Su Culculoglu has claimed her time on the US’s The Traitors has taught her ‘who the real faithfuls are’ in life in a thinly-veiled dig at ex Davide Sanclimenti – after branding their relationship ‘toxic’ following his alleged deceit with other women.
The 29-year-old, who won Love Island in 2022 with the Italian businessman, also 29, before splitting for a second time earlier this year, joined her fellow cast members as the American reality show won four gongs at the 2024 Critics Choice Real TV Awards in LA on Saturday.
Telling following the swanky ceremony: ‘Ironically the show taught me that I have a terrible sense of who the Traitors and Faithfuls are in my real life!’
‘But it’s all been a learning curve, I am taking ownership over my career as best I can, and I feel like I am falling in love with life again’.
Ekin-Su looked nothing short of sensational as she went braless for the bash beneath a backless white gown and celebrated the series winning Best Competition, Best Ensemble Cast as well as Best Show Host and Male Star Of The Year for presenter Alan Cumming.
Ekin-Su Culculoglu, 29, has claimed her time on the US’s The Traitors has taught her ‘who the real faithfuls are’ in life
It appeared a thinly-veiled dig at ex Davide Sanclimenti, also 29, (pictured)
Ekin-Su joined her fellow cast members as the reality show won four gongs at the 2024 Critics Choice Real TV Awards in LA on Saturday.
As well as heartbreak, Ekin-Su found herself embroiled in a bullying row during her time on Celebrity Big Brother earlier this year but revealed she could now finally begin to see a turning of the tide.
Saying: ‘It’s been a whirlwind year, but last night was a bit of a light at the end of the tunnel moment for me, like things are getting better, and I feel excited for what is to come’.
‘I am no longer in my quiet woman era, I’ve taken back control over my life, over who I am, and as I get ready to turn 30, I’m feeling empowered, and I feel like it’s the Ekin-2 chapter’.
The former Love Island star also said she felt ‘honoured’ to be able to attend the ceremony at the Fairmont Century Plaza and claimed that ‘little Ekin-Su’ could have only dreamt of such an opportunity.
‘The Traitors wasn’t just a show to me, it came at a time that I needed it the most, it taught me a lot, and I am so grateful to the team behind it’.
Before adding: ‘We really did become a family on the show, and I have made some friends for life. Who would have thought that being buried alive, would have been the catalyst for so much change in my life. The change I needed’.
The reality show sees 22 strangers staying in a castle in the Scottish Highlands, where they’re tasked with completing challenges for a chance at a £120,000 prize.
But three traitors are secretly lurking within the ranks, sabotaging their efforts and picking off the contestants.
Telling following the swanky ceremony: ‘Ironically the show taught me that I have a terrible sense of who the Traitors and Faithfuls are in my real life!’
‘But it’s all been a learning curve, I am taking ownership over my career as best I can, and I feel like I am falling in love with life again’ (L-R) The Traitors’ cast Trishelle Cannatella, MJ Javid Ekin-Su, Maksim Chmerkovskiy
Ekin-Su looked nothing short of sensational as she went braless for the bash beneath a backless white gown and celebrated the series winning Best Competition, Best Ensemble Cast as well as Best Show Host and Male Star Of The Year for presenter Alan Cumming
Ekin-Su (L) joined glam co-stars MJ Javid (L) and Phaedra Parks (C) at the awards show
She later took a seat on the carpet after strutting her stuff in towering heels
Ekin-Su posed for snaps at her luxury hotel ahead of the bash
Ekin-Su pictured on the The Traitors
Ekin-Su appeared in the series alongside former Speaker of the Commons John Bercow, 61, Real Housewives Of Atlanta star Phaedra Parks, 50, and RuPaul’s Drag Race icon Peppermint, 45.
It comes the reality TV veteran vowed to expose all in her bombshell memoir, including what really happened in her relationship with Davide before their split.
The Love Island winner who met Davide on the ITV2 dating show, confirmed she had parted ways with the Italian businessman in February, for a second time as she blamed a ‘rollercoaster of ups and downs’ in their romance.
Now, Ekin-Su’s new tell-all book will see her open up on childhood trauma and bullying, as well as looking back on her experiences taking part in reality shows such as Love Island, The Traitors US and Celebrity Big Brother.
She told The Sun: ‘It’s everything, my experience with Davide, there’s a lot in there. I’m done hiding. I’m done lying and protecting other people, this is my truth.’
She added that writing the book felt ‘like therapy’ and said she ‘want people to know me for me, not the work I’ve done or the wronguns I’ve dated.’
It comes after Ekin-Su spoke about the real reason for her out of character behaviour in the Celebrity Big Brother house, noting that it was down to how Davide had allegedly treated her.
It comes the reality TV veteran vowed to expose all in her bombshell memoir, including what really happened in her relationship with Davide before their split
It comes after Ekin-Su spoke about the real reason for her out of character behaviour in the Celebrity Big Brother house, noting that it was down to how Davide had allegedly treated her (pictured on Celebrity Big Brother: Late and Live in March)
The couple had a turbulent 18-month relationship since they first met in the Love Island villa in 2022 after winning the show together (pictured in 2022 on Love Island)
She insisted the devastating effect of his alleged deceit from her ex-boyfriend prior to their January split, which left her heartbroken.
Ekin-Su skipped the Big Brother final in March after her management felt she was too ‘vulnerable’ to return in light of her turbulent time on the ITV series and subsequent drama-filled spin-off show appearance.
The Turkish actress claimed she made a mistake by going into the house after being told Davide had cheated on her and seeing possible evidence for herself.
She told The Sun: ‘I should never have gone into the Big Brother house. I was angry, hurt, maybe a bit bitter, definitely insecure – Big Brother is not where you go to heal heartache, let me tell you.
‘I went into the show thinking that I could rebuild myself after everything that happened with Davide, but I came off worse. My guard was up.
‘I blame myself for making a poor choice in my career. People could see that I wasn’t myself, and I can understand why they thought I was being fake.’
She added: ‘I never wanted to believe the allegations against Davide but people would tell me I was being cheated on all the time. I was so scared of being alone, and I didn’t know who the hell Ekin-Su was meant to be without him.’