Ülkü Hilal Çiftçi
Ülkü Hilal Çiftçi | |
|---|---|
| Born | Ülkü Hilal Çiftçi 11 January 2009 |
| Occupations | Actress, singer |
| Years active | 2012–present |
| Known for | İnci Taneleri – Ayça |
| Height | 165 cm (5 ft 5 in) |
| Parent(s) | Ünal Çiftçi, Kader Çiftçi |
| Relatives | Gökçen Bilge Çiftçi, Aysima Çiftçi (sisters) |
Ülkü Hilal Çiftçi (born 11 January 2009) is a Turkish actress and singer. She began her career at a young age, appearing in commercials before moving on to television series, films, and music. She is best known for her role as Ayça in the 2024 television series İnci Taneleri, which brought her widespread recognition and critical acclaim.[1][2][3][4]
Early life and education
Ülkü Hilal Çiftçi was born on 11 January 2009 in Devrek, Zonguldak, Turkey, to parents Ünal and Kader Çiftçi. She has two sisters, Gökçen Bilge and Aysima.[5]
Çiftçi started acting in commercials at the age of four. She later moved to Istanbul with her family, where she continues her education while pursuing her career in acting and music.[5]
Career
Early television work
Çiftçi made her television debut in 2012 with a role in the series İki Dünya Arasında, followed by an appearance in the popular series Arka Sokaklar in 2013. She subsequently appeared in several well-known Turkish television series as a child actress, including Karadayı, Kırgın Çiçekler, Tozkoparan İskender, Gülümse Kaderine, and Dönence.[5][6][7][8][9][10]
Her performances in these early roles established her career as a child actress in Turkish television.
Breakthrough role
Her breakthrough role came with the 2024 series İnci Taneleri, where she portrayed the character Ayça. The series, starring Yılmaz Erdoğan, became a popular television production of the season, and Çiftçi's performance received media attention. Her role in the series increased her visibility in Turkish television.[1][4]
Commercial work
Apart from acting, Çiftçi has appeared in advertisements for several brands, including Sleepy, Fiat Egea, Garanti Bankası, Michelin, and Ariel.[5]
Music career
Çiftçi has started a music career, releasing singles on streaming platforms including Apple Music.[11] She has appeared on television music programs, including O Ses Türkiye (The Voice Turkey) during a New Year's special episode.[1]
Personal life
Çiftçi has stated her interest in traditional Turkish music, particularly the works of arabesk singer Ferdi Tayfur. In interviews, she has mentioned Tayfur's influence on her artistic interests. Following Tayfur's death in January 2025, she posted a tribute on social media, writing: "I grew up watching his films and listening to his songs... Even though I'm still quite young, being able to understand what he wrote and did is a great privilege for me. We love you so much. As you said, 'Even if you go one day, your memory is enough,' your memory is enough."[12][4]
In a 2024 interview, Çiftçi expressed her views on career choices, stating: "I don't believe in such a thing as 'let your golden bracelet be on your arm.' Because we come to this life only once and I think people should do what they are inclined towards or what they love to do."[13]
Physical characteristics
Awards and recognition
Ülkü Hilal Çiftçi's performance in İnci Taneleri received coverage within the Turkish entertainment industry. In 2025, she attended the 26th Sadri Alışık Awards, where her appearance was reported in media outlets.[14][4]
In 2023, she was nominated for the Best Child Actor(En İyi Çocuk Oyuncu) award at the 49th Golden Butterfly Awards (Altın Kelebek Ödülleri) for her role in Dönence.[6][7][8][9]
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Type | Episodes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024–2025 | İnci Taneleri | Ayça | TV series | 37+[4] |
| 2024 | Kayıp Kamyon | Zeynep | Movie | —[13][15] |
| 2023 | Dönence | Gülce Olgun | TV series | 14[7][8][9] |
| 2022 | Gülümse Kaderine | Damla | TV series | 5 |
| 2021 | Tozkoparan: İskender | Duygu | TV series | 26[10] |
| 2019 | Bir Litre Gözyaşı | Eda Yürekli | TV series | 2 |
| 2018 | İyi Oyun | Ceren | Movie | — |
| 2018 | Adı: Zehra | Mine Kurdoğlu | TV series | 14 |
| 2018 | Bizim Köyün Şarkısı | Girls' Music Group Vocalist | Movie | — |
| 2017 | Nerdesin Birader? | Duygu | TV series | 4 |
| 2016–2017 | O Hayat Benim | Cimcime | TV series | 31 |
| 2017 | Sahipli | Büşra (child) | TV series | 2 |
| 2016 | Arkadaşlar İyidir | Derin | TV series | 10 |
| 2016 | Siccin 3: Cürmü Aşk | Elif | Movie | — |
| 2016–2017 | Güldüy Güldüy Show: Çocuk | Various roles | TV series | — |
| 2016 | Göç Zamanı | — | TV series | 15 |
| 2016 | Sessiz Yalanlar | Young Ceren | Movie | — |
| 2015–2017 | Kırgın Çiçekler | Gülcan | TV series | 27 |
| 2014–2015 | Karadayı | Zeynep | TV series | 26 |
| 2015 | Sen Benimsin | — | TV series | — |
| 2015 | Kara Kutu | Şirin | TV series | 1 |
| 2014 | Elif | Melek | TV series | 75 |
| 2013 | Arka Sokaklar | Duru | TV series | 1 |
| 2012 | İki Dünya Arasında | Elif | TV series | 38 |
References
- ^ a b c Cansu Topçu (7 November 2024). "Ülkü Hilal Çiftçi: Yılmaz Hoca'dan çok şey öğrendim". Hürriyet (in Turkish). Retrieved 19 September 2025.
- ^ "İnci Taneleri Ayça kimdir? Ülkü Hilal Çiftçi kaç yaşında, hangi dizilerde oynadı?". CNN TÜRK (in Turkish). Retrieved 19 September 2025.
- ^ "İnci Taneleri Ayça kimdir, kaç yaşında? İnci Taneleri'nin Ayça'sı Ülkü". Cumhuriyet (in Turkish). Retrieved 19 September 2025.
- ^ a b c d e "İnci Taneleri Oyuncuları ve Karakterleri". Hürriyet. Retrieved 18 October 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f Işıl Bulur (21 February 2024). "İnci Taneleri'nin parlayan yıldızı Ülkü Hilal Çiftçi kimdir? Yaşı, boyu, kilosu kaçtır?". TGRT Haber (in Turkish). Retrieved 17 September 2025.
- ^ a b "Dönence Gülce kimdir, hastalığı nedir? Neden kulaklık takıyor? Hiperakuzi mi? Ülkü Hilal Çiftçi kaç yaşında, hangi dizilerde oynadı?". CNN TÜRK (in Turkish). 4 October 2023. Retrieved 23 September 2025.
- ^ a b c "Donence Oyuncular". Kanal D. Retrieved 18 October 2025.
- ^ a b c "İşte Donence Oyuncularının İsimleri ve Yaşları". CNN Türk. Retrieved 18 October 2025.
- ^ a b c "Donence Konusu Nedir, Oyuncuları Kimler?". Hürriyet. Retrieved 18 October 2025.
- ^ a b "Tozkoparan İskender Nerede Çekiliyor, Konusu Ne?". Akşam. Retrieved 18 October 2025.
- ^ "Ülkü Hilal Çiftçi". Apple Music. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
- ^ "Ülkü Hilal Çiftçi: "Seni çok seviyoruz hatıran yeter"". Kanal D (in Turkish). 7 January 2025. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
- ^ a b Yasemin Durna (25 October 2024). "Ülkü Hilal Çiftçi'den dikkat çeken sözler: Altın bilezik diye bir şeye inanmıyorum!". Sabah (in Turkish). Retrieved 23 September 2025.
- ^ Pelin Özkan (15 September 2025). "26. Sadri Alışık Tiyatro ve Sinema Oyuncu Ödülleri sahiplerini buldu". Hürriyet (in Turkish). Retrieved 17 September 2025.
- ^ "Kayıp Kamyon'un Oyuncuları Filmin Hazırlık Sürecini Anlattı". Anadolu Ajansı. Retrieved 18 October 2025.