Curtis & me are NOT a showmance… it’s the real thing & just feels right, says Ekin-Su as she hits back at the haters
THEY have been plagued by rumours that their relationship is fake, but Ekin-Su Culculoglu insists she and Curtis Pritchard are no showmance.
In fact, the couple — who fell for each other on Love Island: All Stars in January — are so wrapped up in each other she is about to meet the parents.
And in an exclusive interview with The Sun on Sunday, Ekin-Su, 30, hits back at the haters.
She tells how the pair have discussed moving in together and even started dreaming of the day they will get married.
Looking happy and relaxed, she laughs off allegations that they are in it for the publicity.
And she says she has truly found happiness after splitting from Davide Sanclimenti, with whom she won Love Island in 2022.
She tells me: “I’ve got respect for anyone’s opinions.
“I think everyone is entitled to think something and I can understand why they think that, because on the show we are theatrical people and when we come together, it is like a performance.
“But it’s not a showmance, it’s real. It just feels right. It feels healthy and I am myself.
“I am not on edge, I feel happy and I can be who I am with him, without walking on eggshells.”
Curtis, 29, first appeared on Love Island in series five of the ITV2 show in 2019.
When he returned for the All Stars version in South Africa earlier this year, he and Ekin-Su had immediate chemistry.
Now two months on, a glowing Ekin-Su says that away from the cameras, their love has only grown stronger.
So much so that professional dancer Curtis, from Stoke, is planning to introduce her to his parents.
She says: “The next thing we’re doing is meeting his mum and dad, because we have been non-stop.
“I really want to meet his mum Debbie, she sounds amazing.”
A clearly excited Ekin-Su, who was born in London to Turkish parents, adds: “We just got back from New York a day ago and he’s got his boxing match coming up, so he’s very focused on that.
“I’m booked and busy again, so we’re trying to balance everything out.”
When asked if marriage might be on the cards, she giggles and reveals: “As long as I’m not proposing, I think yes.”
If they do tie the knot, their reception would undoubtedly feature some amazing dance moves from Curtis, who appeared on Irish TV series Dancing With The Stars in two series from 2018.
Curtis has decided to swap the dancefloor for the ring and follow in the footsteps of his friend Tommy Fury as he prepares for a Misfits Boxing event in Derby on April 12.
Ekin-Su can hold her own, too, after she showed off some X-rated moves during her stint on Love Island in January.
‘I’M A VERY SEXUAL WOMAN’
Talking about her parents watching those scenes, she says: “They just laughed it off.
“It’s a TV show and I’m an adult having a bit of fun.
“I think just because I am myself on TV, I didn’t think anything of it.
“I’m probably ten times worse privately. I’m a very sexual woman.”
But for now, Ekin-Su and Curtis are happy to take things slowly and have discussed not rushing into living together.
“I mean, never say never,” says Ekin-Su, who lives in Essex, while Curtis lives in London.
Speaking before she presented an award at the Smiley Charity Film Awards in London, she adds: “I think it’s a bit too soon to move in and I’ve definitely learned from my previous relationship being in the public eye not to rush that sort of thing.
“I see him pretty much every day, and it’s nice to have your own space.
“It’s a mature relationship, and it’s healthy and feels right.
“He’s actually coming tonight, but he’s running a little late, because he was at boxing training.”
She adds: “I’m actually looking for a house in London so I can kind of be closer to him. It’s time to move away from Essex.”
Before falling for each other, the pair had each endured their fair share of heart-ache.
In January 2024, Ekin-Su split up with Davide, 30, after 18 months together.
And in 2020, Curtis broke up from his Love Island co-star Maura Higgins, 34, following some cheating allegations against him.
He has denied the claims.
But far from being jealous of Curtis’s ex, Ekin-Su tells how she and Maura are friends and even live in the same building.
“We shared the same guy, under the same roof almost,” Ekin-Su says with a laugh.
“It’s not awkward.
“Actually, Maura is lovely and she is chilled about the situation. I’m chilled and we have all moved on.
“Maura is a friend of mine and Curtis says such lovely things about her and vice versa. We are all mature.”
While Ekin-Su is clearly loving life right now, her ex Davide’s life spiralled earlier this year when it was revealed his new girlfriend, Iris Au, is facing up to three years in prison over a £2million tax row.
She pleaded guilty to a tax charge after failing to report illicit money she obtained via an ex-boyfriend’s criminal cryptocurrency activities.
Davide has vowed to stand by her.
‘NO BAD BLOOD’
And Ekin-Su wishes neither of them any ill will.
“I hope they’re OK,” she says. “I have no words to say.
“I hope she’s fine and I hope he’s fine and I hope they sort those issues out together.
“No one wants to be in prison, do they? It is what it is, and I hope they’re happy.”
Despite falling for each other on the reality dating show, Ekin-Su’s romance with Curtis got off to a bumpy start on TV.
Viewers watched as Ekin-Su broke down in Ronnie Vint’s arms, when Curtis was filmed flirting with model Danielle Sellers.
There were also fireworks when Ekin-Su gave co-star Elma Pazar’s man Sammy Root a kiss on the lips while performing a sexy dance for the fellas at the fire pit during the Heart Rate challenge.
Talking about the bad blood between her and Elma, Ekin-Su says: “I’m against bullying online and I think she had a lot of hate, which I don’t like.
“I know how that feels and I just hope she’s OK.
“We squashed it in the villa and we’ve moved on. She’s found love and I’ve found love. I wish her the best.
“If I see her, I’ll say hi.
“I haven’t seen any of them since coming out of the villa really, so for me, we’re all busy. There is no bad blood.”
After winning the show in 2022, Ekin-Su went on to compete in Dancing On Ice and The Wheel the following year, and she appeared on Celebrity Big Brother in 2024.
After being evicted from the CBB house, Ekin-Su was once again accused of being fake and left the house to jeers and boos.
She was so upset by the reaction that she failed to attend the finale.
Reflecting on the experience now, Ekin-Su says: “I was vulnerable.
“It’s a great show and I wish all the new contestants good luck and to just have fun.
“The only advice I would give to them is don’t go in there heartbroken.
“Go there strong and when you love yourself.
“You can definitely be the best version of yourself and shine — that goes for any TV show.”
It is clear today she has put that difficult period behind her and is focused on Curtis and their future together.
And after appearing alongside The Real Housewives Of Atlanta star Phaedra Parks in The Traitors US last year, rumours have circulated she might be one of the Real Housewives Of London when it debuts on Hayu later this year.
But she claims the show clashes with other projects, saying: “I wouldn’t say no, but there are other things lined up for me in the States in March and May.
“But I think I’d bring the drama for sure!”
Whatever Ekin-Su ends up doing, another thing that she seems sure of is she’ll have boyfriend Curtis in her corner.
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