Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu is ready to push beyond her creative horizons. Sitting down with Wonderland, the British-Turkish actress, model, author and television personality talks intuition, creative ambition and cutting through the noise.

Reality TV superstar, actor, activist, internet personality – you name it, and chances are British-Turkish powerhouse Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu can wear that hat too. Her latest title? Author, with the release of her debut Be Your Own Best Friend. “Writing forced me to slow down and really reflect,” she shares. “I discovered that softness is not a weakness. It is actually a strength.”

At the start of 2026, she sits down with Wonderland to talk about what’s next – drawing on long-held creative ambitions, ticking off bucket-list milestones, and navigating the ins and outs of this new chapter.

2025 has been framed as a reinvention year for you. Did it feel intentional, or did it unfold more naturally? What are you most proud of?
A bit of both, honestly. I didn’t wake up one day and say, “Right, reinvention starts now,” but I did start choosing myself more. I became more intentional about the projects I said yes to and the energy I allowed around me. I’m most proud of trusting my instincts again. That’s something I lost for a while, and getting it back feels powerful.

When you look back at the start of your career, what version of yourself feels the furthest away from who you are now?
The version of me who felt like she had to explain herself all the time. I used to worry so much about being misunderstood. Now I am much more at peace with the idea that not everyone has access to the full picture, and that is okay. I know who I am, and that is enough.

You move between the UK and the US a lot – where do you feel most like yourself at the moment?
It changes, but right now I feel very balanced. The UK feels like home and it grounds me. The US feels full of possibility and creativity. I love being able to move between both. The version of me now is a blend of all the places I have lived and worked in.

Fashion has become a big part of your public image. What does getting dressed mean to you these days?
Getting dressed feels like storytelling. Some days I want to feel soft and feminine, other days bold and dramatic. Fashion lets me express how I am feeling without having to say a word. It is fun, playful, and gives me confidence, but it is never about dressing for anyone else.

You’ve been on everything from reality TV to Netflix. What kind of projects excite you now, compared to a few years ago?

Now I am drawn to projects with depth. I still love entertainment and I always will, but I want things that challenge me creatively and emotionally. Whether it is acting, hosting, or something behind the scenes, I am excited by stories that feel meaningful and leave a mark.

Writing Be Your Own Best Friend is a very personal move. Was there anything about yourself you discovered while writing it?

I realized how hard I had been on myself for years. Writing forced me to slow down and really reflect. I discovered that softness is not weakness. It is actually a strength. That shift changed how I show up in my life now.

You’ve spoken at the UN and worked closely with the British Red Cross. How important is it for you to use your platform beyond entertainment?

It is really important to me. Entertainment opened doors, but I do not want it to be the only thing I stand for. If I have a platform, I want to use it to help amplify important conversations, especially around women, resilience, and humanitarian issues. It gives my work more purpose.

Public perception can be loud. How do you stay grounded when everyone has an opinion?

I remind myself that opinions are not facts. I stay close to my family, my friends, and the people who knew me before any of this. I also take breaks from social media and from the noise. Silence can be very powerful.

Looking ahead, what excites you most about the new year? Any projects in the pipeline you can share with us?

I am excited about creative freedom. There are a few acting projects I am exploring, along with fashion and media opportunities that feel very aligned with where I am now. I am also open to surprises. Some of my best moments have come from saying yes to the unexpected.

What are your ins and outs of 2026? And what are you keen to prioritise more in this new chapter?

Ins are intuition, joy, creative risks, and saying no without guilt. Outs are overthinking, people pleasing, and chasing validation. In 2026, I want to prioritise peace, passion, and projects that truly excite me. I am building a life, not just a career, and that feels like the most important glow up of all.