Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu has made a heartbreaking confession about her split from Davide Sanclimenti.
The Love Island star returned to social media today, after pulled out of appearing on the final of Celebrity Big Brother last month.
The 29-year-old has admitted she was struggling to cope with the backlash she received after the show, and took some time offline to “reflect, recharge and restore”.
In a post shared on Instagram today, Ekin wrote: “Just a little message to say hi❤️ Thank you once more for all your kindness.”
“Took some time off to reflect, recharge and restore which i’m still very much doing but I’ll need to be back online for work purposes especially. Thanks to the brands who I work with who have respected my boundaries and shown compassion and love during the past year.
“Haven’t felt myself for a long time, and I’ve realised i had kind of lost myself and for a while didn’t know who I was beyond being defined by ex relationships or TV shows, and that needs to change!” she continued, referencing her split from her ex Davide.
“I am so excited for all the growth and full healing. CBB was the final lightbulb moment to make me realise what needs to be done.”
“Embracing the fresh start to a new month and new era…. Wishing everyone an April full of possibilities. I am so grateful for each one of you ❤️.”
Ekin’s statement comes after a source told The Sun that she regretted signing up for CBB so soon after her breakup from Davide.
A 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.
“But she knows where she went wrong and will acknowledge things when she’s able to.”
The Turkish beauty pulled out of appearing on the final of CBB last month, after facing intense backlash from viewers.
Explaining the reason behind her decision, she wrote on Instagram: “I hope you don’t think I was 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.”
“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.”
Ekin-Su concluded by saying: “I hope everybody enjoyed watching the CBB final. A huge congratulations to David for the win. Xx”
Big Brother’s spin-off show Late & Live was hit by hundreds of Ofcom complaints following Ekin’s appearance on the programme last month.
Yoo Ekin Su and her mum embarrassed themselves on the Late & Live after show. Leyton told her “don’t blame it on the edit” #CBBUK #CBB #CelebrityBigBrother #bigbrother pic.twitter.com/CQQBUq2BLk
— The Celestial Sentinel (@DnellyBPD) March 16, 2024
Hosts AJ Odudu and Will Best were slammed over their treatment of the star, sparking 139 complaints.
Will poked fun at the Love Island star by calling her “Ekin Boo Hoo Hoo”, while AJ challenged Ekin’s claims she was poorly edited.
AJ said: “It’s interesting as you’ve literally just walked out of the house, you can’t have seen what’s been shown and what’s been said.
“But I can assure you that everything that has been seen and has been shown, has been said by you!”
