If you’ve been waching Love Island, you’ll know all about its leading light: Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu.
Like Maura Higgins and Megan Barton Hanson before her, the 27-year-old actor has been credited for causing the most drama and controversy in the villa so far this series.
Reckless, determined, and unapologetically self-serving, Cülcüloğlu has been hailed by viewers as a “feminist icon”.
Hence why fans are now referring to chanelling their own “Ekin-Su energy” on social media.
“Nah she’s actually started a movement #loveisland,” tweeted one viewer alongside a screengrab of a Spotify playlist titled “Ekin-Su energy” that has been liked by more than 8,400 people.
The playlist featured subversive pop anthems by female solo artists, including “good 4 u” by Olivia Rodrigo and “IDGAF” by Dua Lipa.
The tweet generated 19,000 likes and thousands of replies from other viewers in agreement that Cülcüloğlu is the best thing about this series of the ITV2 reality TV show.
“I’m acc scared of the disappointment I’ll experience next season cos ik these producers will never find another Ekin, like the withdrawal will KILL ME [sic],” tweeted one person.
“Unexpected hero of the summer 2022, added another.
As for what exactly fans mean by “Ekin-Su energy” is not clear, but some have described it as akin to “alpha” male energy and “BDE” (big d*** energy), the phrase that trended across social media in 2018.
“Ekin-Su is great I love her bde for sure,” tweeted one fan.
“Ekin-Su coming through with the BDE and I am here for it!” added another.
On Urban Dictionary, BDE is described as “confidence without cockiness. It is never misplaced and it cannot be simulated. It is the sexual equivalent of writing a check for $10k knowing you got it in the bank account [sic].”
Men often attached to BDE include Idris Elba, Chris Evans, the late Anthony Bourdain, Tom Hardy, Robert Downey Jr, and Pete Davidson.
But in recent years, several women have been praised on social media for having BDE, including Rihanna, Serena Williams and Cate Blanchett. Now Cülcüloğlu is among them.
