EKIN-SU Culculoglu's fans erupted over the news that she had landed a Vogue covershoot this week.
They marvelled that Ekin, a former Love Island star, had landed the coveted spot, usually reserved for Hollywood stars and supermodels. But we can reveal that all (meaning the landing of said cover) isn't quite as it seems.
The two-time Love Island star shared the front of Vogue Mexico and Latin America this week, on which she strikes a pose in a white diamond-clad mini dress.
But The Sun can reveal Ekin's cover was paid for by a brand as part of an advertising deal – and it was in fact a jewellery supplement – not the official magazine cover.
It was booked by Turkish bridalwear firm G Bride, who shelled out a six-figure sum to promote their range – something Ekin failed to mention when sharing the image.
She wrote online: "My Vogue debut and a start of many stories…. Little me used to cut out Vogue covers and imagine my face there one day!
"Today I am a Vogue cover girl and my first of many."
Gushing, she continued: "Thank you @voguelatam and the entire team for giving me the honour to grace this cover. Thank you @gbrideco @arzuayare for having me on this project. I can't thank you all enough…."
The actual Vogue Mexico cover for this month is Jenna Ortega – the Hollywood actress fans are more used to seeing grace the cover.
Influencers are bound by a set of advertising rules which state they should mark any paid for content with notes such as "ad", "advertising feature" or "sponsored".
They can face fines or content takedown orders if the Advertising Standards Agency deem an upload to contravene these rules.
Ekin's post didn't include the hashtag 'ad' or anything else to suggest it was paid for.
The magazine's cover features small print which reads: "En colaboración con G Bride" – meaning "a collaboration with G Bride."
Other Islanders didn't seem to spot the fact it was an ad that was paid for and rushed to congratulate Ekin, with Catherine Agbaje writing: "Wow this is amazing!! Congrats!."
Demi Jones wrote: "Speechless!" and Lucie Donlan added: "Insane!!!! Congratulations my girl, smashing it always."
It is not completely unheard of for magazines to accept money in exchange for covers – particularly in America, but it is less common in the UK, particularly for magazines like Vogue.
Love Island host Maya Jama, who has landed a staggering 8-figure salary, landed the cover of British Vogue UK in September 2023, which helped cement her as the most sought after presenter in the country. No other Love Island UK star has ever appeared on the fashion bible.
Molly-Mae landed a feature in the mag back in November 2024, which sparked surprise in fashion circles.
It's been a difficult year for Ekin following her split from Curtis in May, just three months after they finished in third place on Love Island: All Stars.
Her time on the show was tarnished when a Married At First Sight star claimed to be secretly dating Ekin for 10 months prior to her entering the villa.
In a bombshell interview Georges Berthonneau claimed that their relationship was "super intense and super intimate" and that they were "in love".
He claimed had made a pact with Ekin to go no further than kissing a fellow islander during her time in South Africa.
A rep for Ekin at the time insisted: "Ekin was upfront with Georges about her intention to pursue a new relationship on Love Island."
Just the year, before Ekin's career was left on the ropes after her appearance on Celebrity Big Brother.
Her housemates accused her of being fake and playing a role – and she was the fourth person to be evicted.
She left to jeers and boos, and was so upset by the reaction that she didn't attend the final.
"I felt like my career was over," she confided shortly after. "I was getting death threats. I told my family I had been cancelled, packed a bag and left the country."
Ekin later underwent therapy and later admitted it had been too soon to do the show after her split from Davide Sanclimenti.
And while her Vogue cover might look like the fresh start she needs, it certainly isn't the page turner she's billing it as.
A spokeswoman for Ekin did not respond to request for comment.
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