Işın Karaca

Işın Karaca — Biography

Işın Karaca, born Işın Funda Büyükkaraca, came into the world on March 7, 1973, in London to a Cypriot family; her mother Şeniz Büyükkaraca ran a restaurant and her father Ali Büyükkaraca, originally from Afyon, worked as a real-estate agent. While studying theatre in London as a student, she also began pursuing music.

She launched her music career as a backing vocalist, first for Yıldız Tilbe and then, through an introduction from Hülya Avşar, for Sezen Aksu. Her 2001 debut album Anadilim Aşk brought her wide attention, and she followed it with İçinde Aşk Var (2004) and Başka 33/3 (2006); she twice entered Turkey's Eurovision pre-selection round and represented the country both times in OGAE's Second Chance Contest. On screen, she made a guest appearance in the soundtrack of Neredesin Firuze and later acted in the films Sen Ne Dilersen (2005) and Gelecekten Bir Gün (2010).

She returned to television in 2026 on the Show TV program Yaz Bir Şarkı, drawing wide attention during the same period for a marked weight loss; in April 2026 Greek authorities denied her entry at Athens airport and sent her back to Turkey, a move she linked to a 2024 concert she had given in Komotini.