Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu has revealed why she’s returned to the Love Island for All Stars, while making a thinly-veiled dig at ex Davide Sanclimenti.
The former winner, 30, who scooped the £50,000 cash prize with ex Davide in June 2022, made her return at the end of the highly-anticipated launch show as she once again entered as a bombshell.
Speaking ahead of her comeback, the brunette beauty said: ‘I want to return to Love Island again because it’s where my journey started and has a special place in my heart.
‘It’s somewhere I’ve laughed, cried and learnt so much. The fact that there’s an opportunity to do it again – why not!
‘Why can’t a winner go back in and re-write her story and have a second chance?! I think you should follow your gut and my gut is telling me to go back, so I’m listening to it.’
When quizzed on what she’s looking for this time around, Ekin-Su revealed she wants ‘someone who isn’t overly self-obsessed and someone that’s aware of flaws because we all have them.’
Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu has revealed why she’s returned to the Love Island for All Stars, while making a thinly-veiled dig at ex Davide Sanclimenti
The former winner, 30, who scooped the £50,000 cash prize with ex Davide (pictured above) in June 2022, made her return at the end of the highly-anticipated launch show
In what could be a swipe at Davide, she added: ‘I’d like a man that will love me when I’m in the worst mood possible but still understands why and has no judgments.
‘I’d like someone supportive, I don’t care about looks and money – I want someone to be my biggest cheerleader.’
When it comes to red flags, the biggest one for Ekin-Su is ‘someone selling the dream at the start, being perfect – because that’s not real.’
She insisted: ‘Real love and connection starts with the journey, a friendship and getting to know one another first.’
The Celebrity Big Brother star said she’s ‘excited’ for All Stars because it’s ‘so different it’s so different to how we were before, we were all unknown.’
She gushed: ‘I’m excited to see what everyone’s journeys have been like and maybe some drama – you never know what might happen. I’m interested to see how it plays out. I’m a girls’ girl so I’m also excited to make friends too.
‘I love being a sexy, smart, classy woman. I’m funny and quirky and I think being an Islander, you can represent all of that.
‘You don’t have to be a typical Barbie or Ken doll. You can feel confident no matter your looks or where you’re from and to be an authentic Islander you have to be humble and real so people can relate to you.’
Lifting the lid on a successful Love Island couple she admires, Ekin-Su admitted she would love to find a relationship like Jamie Jewitt and Camilla Thurlow, who were on series three in 2017.
Speaking ahead of her comeback, the brunette beauty said: ‘I want to return to Love Island again because it’s where my journey started and has a special place in my heart
When quizzed on what she’s looking for this time around, Ekin-Su revealed she wants ‘someone who isn’t overly self-obsessed and someone that’s aware of flaws’
In what could be a swipe at Davide, she added: ‘I’d like a man that will love me when I’m in the worst mood possible but still understands why and has no judgments’
She said: ‘I’ve always admired Jamie (Jewitt) and Camilla (Thurlow), they’ve had kids, he’s a sensible dad, she’s a sensible mum – they’re so cute, I really crave that. I’d love a sensible man that I can have fun with!’
Ekin-Su has also taken the time to reflect on her previous journey on the ITV show, before heading in for her second go.
The star quipped: ‘I don’t regret anything from series 8 and I wouldn’t change who I am. I’m going to carry on being me.
‘I’m more mature now and I’ve learnt some lessons along the way – I might not react the same way as I did a few years ago, or I might do! We’ll never know until I’m there.
‘I’ve learnt to take accountability when the time is right, and I’ve learnt to stand up for myself and have boundaries with guys and with friends.
I’ve also learnt that it’s ok to be vulnerable with men – I always thought I had to be strong, but I’m allowed to cry sometimes and it’s not all about being strong.’
Ekin won over ITV2 viewers during her first appearance on the show where she and Davide, who famously accused Ekin of being a ‘liar’ and an ‘actress’, became known for their tempestuous romance.
After their bitter breakup last year, Ekin starred on Celebrity Big Brother but was branded ‘fake’ by her housemates, with the reality star avoiding the show’s final following an ‘uncomfortable backlash.’
Ekin admitted to being in ‘survival mode’ and said she was carrying a lot of ‘baggage’ because of her split from Davide, who was accused of being unfaithful during their relationship
The star quipped: ‘I don’t regret anything from series 8 and I wouldn’t change who I am. I’m going to carry on being me’
Ekin starred on Celebrity Big Brother but was branded ‘fake’ by her housemates, with the reality star avoiding the show’s final following an ‘uncomfortable backlash
Ekin later admitted to being in ‘survival mode’ and said she was carrying a lot of ‘baggage’ because of her split from Davide, who was accused of being unfaithful during their relationship on multiple occasions.
But now, by returning to the show that made her name, Ekin hopes to be her own person again and finally find the right man to settle down with.
In December, a TV source told MailOnline: ‘Ekin-Su has been the number one priority for casting producers, they know fans would love to see her return to the villa.
‘She was so iconic during her first appearance on the show and now she’s single again at the perfect time.
‘The deal is agreed in principle, there’s still some details to sort out, but there’s huge hope she’s finally agreed to take a second chance at finding long-lasting love in front of the nation.
‘Ekin’s in her 30s now too, she really wants to meet someone genuine who she can settle down with and after seeing it happen for last year’s All Stars winners, she’s keeping her fingers crossed she can be next.’