Celebrity Big Brother’s Ekin-Su drops huge clue to why she split from Davide in first interview since their break-up

BEING buried alive in a coffin might break some, but Ekin-Su Culculoglu says the peculiar ritual on The Traitors US has been the making of her.

The Love Island 2022 winner’s dramatic exit from the hit murder-mystery show in January has helped her to crack America.

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Ekin-Su likened the “iconic death” to a spiritual awakening — and not a moment too soon as she entered the Celebrity Big Brother house on Monday night.

In her only newspaper chat, Ekin said: “This sounds really f***ed up, but I died in a coffin on The Traitors US and they buried me under the floor with mud all over me. That changed me.

“I watched my own funeral.

“It felt very, very emotional. Like I went to heaven or hell.

“You know, like when you just, that’s it, and God decides where you end up.

“I’ve just become stronger and I realised life is f***ing short and that we could die and who gives a f*** what people think about you, because no one cares.”

Ekin-Su, 29, and, bizarrely, former Speaker of the House John Bercow were part of the largely-American cast filming at Ardross Castle, in the Scottish Highlands, where the BBC’s The Traitors is also filmed.

The British-Turkish actress was ousted from the show in the same “poisoned chalice” challenge that saw off retired teacher and fan favourite Diane Carson, 63, in the UK’s second series earlier this year.

Ekin-Su had to play dead inside a casket as part of a fake funeral as the remaining Faithfuls and Traitors looked on.

Madcap challenges in the CBB house

Ekin-Su is rubbing shoulders with the likes of X Factor stars Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne, and TV presenter Fern Britton, but says she is more than ready to hold her own.

She added: “I feel so good right now, I feel free and empowered this year.

“I’ve learned to say no. I said yes a lot. I’m a people pleaser.

“I used to tolerate and say yes to everything.

“Now I’m gonna say no to things and there’s power in that.”

It’s a sentiment Ekin will need to hold dear as she’s thrust into madcap challenges in the CBB house.

I thought, this is the perfect time to do something like this, to show different sides to me, to show the real me.

Last night’s episode saw her dressed up as a horse to become “Equine-Su” in a race day themed game.

Before entering, Ekin said: “The skills and challenges in Big Brother, showing that side will be fun. Facing your fears - that’ll be fun. I’m not scared of anything.

“I thought, this is the perfect time to do something like this, to show different sides to me, to show the real me.

“People always judge people on the way they look.

“I’m really against everything being based on looks, it’s about what’s in your heart.

“I never judge people for what they are, what they look like, their status, I treat everyone equally.”

The comments take on new weight as they come just weeks after Ekin’s high-profile split with her Love Island beau Davide Sanclimenti.

Now she feels ready to embrace life as an independent woman has vowed to dodge romance on CBB.

She swiped: “Life isn’t all about finding someone or posting it all over the internet to prove something or for likes.”

Davide split hint

In her first chat since the split from Davide, Ekin said: “Everyone’s like, oh, I’m single. When am I gonna find someone? You don’t need that in your life.

“You can be independent and there’s other things that are interesting, you could be soulmates with someone but in a friendship way.

“I’m not going in CBB for love. I’m going in there for an experience, an experiment.”

Hinting at what drove the break from fiery Italian Davide in January after 17 months, she added: “What I’ve learned throughout my life and having a public relationship, is I don’t agree with always posting to prove a point to people, or each other, that you love each other.

“I don’t like that and I don’t agree with it.

“I think a healthy relationship is private, not posting about each other because it proves that you are happy or posting to get likes.

“I’m not interested in that. That’s false.”

I’m 30 this year, so there’s been a lot of changes since Love Island and viewers will see a more elevated Ekin, I think. Maybe this is Ekin 2.0.

Since winning Love Island’s monster 2023 series, Ekin has become one of the show’s biggest success story.

As well as inking six-figure brand deals, she has notably gone on to star on Dancing on Ice and The Traitors US version.

The British public first fell for Ekin on Love Island as a fiery, fun-loving drama queen.

So how does the new Ekin differ?

She said: “I’m just gonna be myself in there.

“I’ve changed in many ways, before I would shout and scream, but now I’m like, no, no, no, no.

“There’s no point doing that, you don’t win an argument.

“I won’t suffer fools, that’s for sure.

“I think a more mature side to me will be seen in the house.

“I’m 30 this year, so there’s been a lot of changes since Love Island and viewers will see a more elevated Ekin, I think. Maybe this is Ekin 2.0.”

She will need all that tact as, so far, ex Davide does not seem to be handling “elevated Ekin” too well.

The Sun revealed that he has been left raging that she had secured the CBB gig as he had been ‘hounding’ ITV for weeks to try and land his own meeting with bosses, but was snubbed.

Denied cheating

A source last week told The Sun: “Unfortunately ITV weren’t interested so didn’t meet him - they always had their sights set on Ekin.”

Ekin took her own dig at Davide as she walked into the ITV1 show on Monday night, when host Will Best asked her what kind of housemates she hoped to be living with.

The Turkish actress replied: “Loyal.”

In last night’s episode, she continued to open up on her former partner.

Let’s just say he hurt me.

Ekin-Su on Davide split

Chatting to Broadway star Marisha Wallace, Ekin said: “They always say to me that the man should be more into the woman. Is that true?”

Marisha said: “I think so. Always.”

Ekin-Su said: “That’s the mistake I made.”

Marisha replied: “You were more into him?”

Ekin-Su said: “I think so.”

Marisha said: “What made you quit your relationship?”

Ekin-Su said: “Let’s just say he hurt me.”

Whilst Davide was accused of cheating a number of times, he has always denied betraying Ekin.

He was filmed snorting a white powder during one of their short-lived splits, in summer 2023, while on a party weekend in Ibiza.

It sounds like Ekin hoped to put the past behind her as she entered the spy house.

'Excited to get older'

Speaking before going in, she told The Sun: “I am gonna deal with conflict like I always do. I just listen.

“I don’t want to be falling out with someone over something petty.

“If there is conflict, I’d like to solve that and just get over it.

“We’re in there for a limited time, then onto the next thing.

“I like to handle things in a more mature way, we’re not kids, you know.”

I love Irish people so I just wanna be best friends with Louis Walsh, make him tea, you know, look after him like my dad or granddad in there!

Perhaps that maturity is why Ekin - often described as an ‘old soul - has made a beeline for the older housemates like Fern Britton, Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh.

Just hours after entrance, she confessed to daytime TV legend Fern that sometimes after a public appearance, she goes home and cries.

Ekin said: “I love Irish people so I just wanna be best friends with Louis Walsh, make him tea, you know, look after him like my dad or granddad in there!

“And of course Sharon Osborne, icon! What a strong woman.

“I prefer being older than younger. The older you get, the more attractive you feel, it’s true.

“I can’t wait to even turn 40 one day, you know, like I’m excited to get older.

“I just feel like the older I’m getting, the more comfortable I am in my own skin, I’m more confident about who I am, what I stand for, what I want from life.

“100 per cent I like myself more as I get older. You don’t take bullshit anymore.”

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