Love Island and The Traitors US star Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu has shared the famous faces she thinks will be the ones to watch in Celebrity Traitors.
Cülcüloğlu swapped the backstabbing and mindgames of the Love Island Mallorca villa for the second season The Traitors US which aired in 2023. The Traitors US already has been casting celebrities but for the UK, this will be the first version with famous faces taking part.
Celebrity Traitors will be starring the likes of Jonathan Ross, Kate Garraway, Charlotte Church, Tom Daley and more.
Cülcüloğlu tells Yahoo UK: “[Celebrity Traitors is] way harder. Because you’re not just playing the game, you’re playing your reputation. If you’ve got past drama with someone, or they’ve heard something about you, it’s all coming out.
“And suddenly, you’re not being judged for who you are in the castle, you’re being judged for who you were on Instagram three years ago.”
Here the Love Island All Stars bombshell pinpoints who could prove to be the best Traitor and Faithful. Drawing on her own experience, Cülcüloğlu reflects on the hardest challenges the famous faces will face in the Scottish castle and reveals what it’s really like sleeping at a hotel when playing the game…
Who are the stars to watch on Celebrity Traitors and why?
Ekin-Su: Ooooh, this cast is stacked! I’ve got my eye on Tom Daley. He’s not just an Olympic champ, he’s focused, disciplined, and knows how to keep his cool under pressure.
Then there’s Paloma Faith. She’s got that mysterious, theatrical energy. I feel like she could charm you while secretly plotting your downfall.
And Nick Mohammed? Don’t be fooled by the comedy. He’s clever, calculated, and could be a silent assassin in this game.
Who will be the most successful Traitor and why?
I’m calling it now: Nick Mohammed. He’s got the brains, the acting chops, and the ability to fly under the radar. People will trust him… and that’s exactly when he’ll strike.
Who will be the most successful Faithful and why?
Charlotte Church hands down. She’s warm, grounded, and people naturally gravitate towards her. In a game full of deception, having that genuine energy is powerful.
Plus, she’s been in the spotlight since she was a kid and she knows how to handle pressure and keep her head high.
Does having stars take part change the dynamic of The Traitors?
Oh babe, it changes everything.
Celebs can come in with egos, with reputations to protect, with fanbases watching their every move, and most importantly, acting skills. Some people want to prove something, others just want screen time, and then there are a few who are actually there to win. It creates this wild, chaotic energy… and I LIVE for it!
Who will be the most likely to go out near the beginning and why?
Probably someone who comes in too hot.
You know the type: talking too much, trying too hard to make alliances, giving “main character” energy from the jump. That’s not how you survive in the castle. You’ve got to chill… for at least the first two rounds!
Does stars knowing about each other make the game harder or easier?
Way harder. Because you’re not just playing the game, you’re playing your reputation. If you’ve got past drama with someone, or they’ve heard something about you, it’s all coming out.
And suddenly, you’re not being judged for who you are in the castle, you’re being judged for who you were on Instagram three years ago.
Will Celebrity Traitors be more successful than the civilian series?
Honestly? Yes. People love seeing celebs pushed to their limits.
No glam, no entourage, just paranoia, backstabbing, and tears in a castle. It’s fabulous. And let’s be real, we all want to see who’s secretly a snake.
What was the biggest challenge of taking part in The Traitors for you?
The isolation. It messes with your head. No phones, no outside world, just whispers, doubts, and death dinners. You start questioning everything.
“Did they look at me weird?” “Why did she sit next to him?” It messes with your mind. Celebs aren’t used to that. We’re used to being in control. In the castle, you’re not.
What was the most rewarding part of Traitors?
For me, it was proving that I’m more than a reality TV contestant. You dig deep in that castle. You see what you’re made of. And I think a lot of celebs will come out of it stronger, maybe even shocked by how they handled it all. Plus, if you make it to the end? Major bragging rights, babe.
Is it harder to be a Traitor or a Faithful?
Traitor 1000%. Lying every day? Pretending to be heartbroken when someone gets murdered and you literally did it? I couldn’t do it. I’d crack. It’s emotionally draining, especially when you actually like the people you’re betraying.
Will we get to see a different side to the stars in Celebrity Traitors?
Definitely. When you strip away the glam and the filters, you see the real person. The tears, the breakdowns, the strategy, it’s all raw. I think people are going to be shocked in the best way.
What’s it like filming at the Scottish castle?
Oh my god, it was STUNNING. So dramatic, so moody, like something out of a fairytale… If the fairytale included backstabbing and betrayal. I felt like I was living in a gothic soap opera and honestly? I thrived.
What are the filming days like for The Traitors US?
Long, intense, emotional. You wake up on edge, you go to sleep on edge. You’re constantly thinking, second-guessing, trying to survive. There are no chill days. Every moment is high stakes, and that’s what makes it so addictive.
The hotel felt like an escape after a day of madness. I’d take a long shower, order room service, and just decompress. But even then, you’re not really resting. You’re replaying every convo, every glance.
The game follows you.
Celebrity Traitors airs on BBC One in the autumn.
