Photography by Kaden
By Staff
Full time model and actress Tuğba Ercan was born in Ankara, Turkey. She relocated with her family to the U.S. in 1996, eventually settling in the Florida Panhandle. “I never considered myself the beautiful model type while growing up” she shared, “So I focused heavily on my studies.” Her dedication paid off when she graduated High School with honors.
She continued her education earning a bachelor of science degree in ‘Exercise Science’ from the University of West Florida, graduating magna cum laude. Beaming with self-confidence from her academic accomplishments, she decided to give her childhood dream of being a model a chance.
After participating in several fashion shows and shoots with local magazines, she gained notoriety after advancing to the final round of a Hawaiian Tropic swimsuit pageant representing her native country (Turkey).
In 2008 Tuğba (pronounced like 2-ba she says with a smile) was selected as a stand-in for Supermodel Adriana Lima during a Victoria’s Secret fashion show. Shortly after, she was featured in a 2009 issue of Maxim Turkey, and also chosen as one of Maxim Magazine’s top 100 “Hometown Hotties.” As her popularity grew, her stunning swimsuit pictorials were featured regularly on news, sports, and entertainment websites including Sports Illustrated.
The exposure led to additional opportunities in different beauty campaigns, music videos, commercials, and featured spots on television, including appearances on the popular racing circuit where she worked for Ferrari and McLaren showcasing her guilty pleasure – fast cars.
In 2011, she was signed by the World Poker Tour as a “Royal Flush Girl”, serving as a brand ambassador. She recalls not knowing the game all that well. “In the beginning I was slightly intimidated, but I can’t imagine a world without poker now. I’ve grown to love the game. I really enjoy playing on ClubWPT as well as live events and especially Celebrity Bounties.”
While most of her time over the past decade has been spent jet-setting with the WPT, she’s managed to make numerous appearances in film and TV where she was fortunate enough to be on set with some of her favorie actors. It’s there she developed her itch for acting.
Her proudest moment still to this day is when she got the phone call from her agent, saying she was one of the three hand picked models by the late music-icon ‘Prince’ to appear in his Yamaha film promoting his upcoming ‘Piano & A Microphone’ tour, just prior to his passing in 2016.
“This project was truly an honor and a highlight of my career. Working with his Presence and his famous Purple Piano on set was truly something special. I will always cherish the opportunity and Prince’s sentiment of how happy He was with the finished product and His plans for us to join Him on tour for some stops was one of the happiest moments of my career. It was a dream come true!”
With the devastating news of Prince’s death a short time after, the video was ultimately released as a tribute which she says – “Will live on forever… Even though no words can describe the sadness we all felt and continue to feel – I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work on a project that was so timeless and bigger than myself.”
Was moving to the U.S. a difficult transition?
Tuğba: It was at first because I didn’t speak any English. I learned quick though. I was a good student. It helped having family around for support.
Have you always wanted to be a model and actor?
Tuğba: I’ve always been comfortable in front of the camera. My grandfather had a passion for photography, and I was his little model.. looking back at some of my earliest photos, I have pictures from when I could barely walk yet I was posing somehow. I love modeling but through modeling and hosting, I discovered my true passion is definitely acting.
What do you like most about working with the WPT?
Tuğba: The WPT is my home, my second family, feeling like I’m part of something bigger than just an organization, but a big family, where I feel I truly belong. I love the traveling too of course, but haven’t done as much lately. I’m hoping that will change in the upcoming season 😉
Your cover pic was taken at ‘Burning Man.’ What have your experiences been like there?
Tuğba: I’ve only been past two years. My first year was my first “date” with the “Man” and this year (2023) I returned for my second thinking I got this. Well the Man had different plans for us- as most “Veteran Burners” will put it – You will get the Burn you need, not the Burn you want. I’ve been told these past two years were the two toughest ever with the dust storms (2022) and the record breaking rain and mud (2023). I was washed out of my camp like many others and got stuck in the mud but we found a way to make the best of it. I can proudly say I didn’t just survive it, I thrived and wouldn’t change it for anything. I am not the same person I was two years ago… I knew I was tough, but I discovered so much more about myself. For me it was a soul calling after the world was shut down in 2020. I made it a point to be there (in 2022). It has been one of the most fulfilling and life altering experiences I’ve ever had.
*Tugba’s pictorial was shot at the Luxor Casino on the Las Vegas Strip. She agreed to extend her stay following a busy work schedule at the WPT World Championship at Wynn. A rare downpour in Vegas during her shoot made things a little dicey. A lot of models would have run for cover – But as you may have guessed, a little rain was nothing for this Burning Star.
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