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]
Ülkü Hilal Çiftçi | |
|---|---|
| Born | 11 January 2009 |
| Occupations | Actress, singer |
| Years active | 2012–present |
| Known for | İnci Taneleri – Ayça |
Early life and education
editÜlkü 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
editEarly television work
editÇiftçi 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]
Breakthrough role
editHer breakthrough role came with the 2024 series İnci Taneleri, where she portrayed the character Ayça, alongside Yılmaz Erdoğan. Çiftçi's performance in the role received media attention, and it increased her visibility in Turkish television.[1][4]
Commercial work
editApart from acting, Çiftçi has appeared in advertisements for several brands, including Sleepy, Fiat Egea, Garanti Bankası, Michelin, and Ariel.[5]
Music career
editÇiftçi 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
editÇiftçi 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]
Awards and recognition
editÜlkü 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
edit| Year | Title | Role | Type | Episodes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Yeraltı | Melek Aslan | TV series | 5+[15] |
| 2024–2026 | İnci Taneleri | Ayça | TV series | 37+[4] |
| 2024 | Kayıp Kamyon | Zeynep | Movie | —[13][16] |
| 2023 | Dönence | Gülce Olgun | TV series | 14[7][8][9] |
| 2022 | Gülümse Kaderine | Damla | TV series | 5[citation needed] |
| 2021 | Tozkoparan: İskender | Duygu | TV series | 26[10] |
| 2019 | Bir Litre Gözyaşı | Eda Yürekli | TV series | 2[citation needed] |
| 2018 | İyi Oyun | Ceren | Movie | —[citation needed] |
| 2018 | Adı: Zehra | Mine Kurdoğlu | TV series | 14[citation needed] |
| 2018 | Bizim Köyün Şarkısı | Girls' Music Group Vocalist | Movie | —[citation needed] |
| 2017 | Nerdesin Birader? | Duygu | TV series | 4[citation needed] |
| 2016–2017 | O Hayat Benim | Cimcime | TV series | 31[citation needed] |
| 2017 | Sahipli | Büşra (child) | TV series | 2[citation needed] |
| 2016 | Arkadaşlar İyidir | Derin | TV series | 10[citation needed] |
| 2016 | Siccin 3: Cürmü Aşk | Elif | Movie | —[citation needed] |
| 2016–2017 | Güldüy Güldüy Show: Çocuk | Various roles | TV series | —[citation needed] |
| 2016 | Göç Zamanı | — | TV series | 15[citation needed] |
| 2016 | Sessiz Yalanlar | Young Ceren | Movie | —[citation needed] |
| 2015–2017 | Kırgın Çiçekler | Gülcan | TV series | 27[citation needed] |
| 2014–2015 | Karadayı | Zeynep | TV series | 26[citation needed] |
| 2015 | Sen Benimsin | — | TV series | —[citation needed] |
| 2015 | Kara Kutu | Şirin | TV series | 1[citation needed] |
| 2014 | Elif | Melek | TV series | 75[citation needed] |
| 2013 | Arka Sokaklar | Duru | TV series | 1[citation needed] |
| 2012 | İki Dünya Arasında | Elif | TV series | 38[citation needed] |
References
edit- 1 2 3 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.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "İnci Taneleri Oyuncuları ve Karakterleri". Hürriyet. Retrieved 18 October 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 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.
- 1 2 "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.
- 1 2 3 "Donence Oyuncular". Kanal D. Retrieved 18 October 2025.
- 1 2 3 "İşte Donence Oyuncularının İsimleri ve Yaşları". CNN Türk. Retrieved 18 October 2025.
- 1 2 3 "Donence Konusu Nedir, Oyuncuları Kimler?". Hürriyet. Retrieved 18 October 2025.
- 1 2 "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.
- 1 2 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.
- ↑ Özcan, İrem (2 February 2026). "Yeraltı dizisi Melek kim? Ülkü Hilal Çiftçi oynadığı diziler ve kariyeri". Türkiye Gazetesi (in Turkish). Retrieved 26 February 2026.
- ↑ "Kayıp Kamyon'un Oyuncuları Filmin Hazırlık Sürecini Anlattı". Anadolu Ajansı. Retrieved 18 October 2025.