Aybüke Yılmaz is a rising Turkish actress whose journey blends elegance with dramatic depth. Born in 1993 in Samsun, she completed her university education in Northern Cyprus before refining her craft through intensive theater training—appearances in plays like Kaç Tilki Kaç and Kanlı Nigar laid a strong foundation for her acting career. Standing at 1.75 m with a model’s poise, she transitioned seamlessly to television with her debut in 2023, playing Elif in Fedakâr, and now has cemented her breakthrough as Ceylan in the gripping daily drama Kuma: The Other Wife (2025), earning widespread praise for her emotional range and compelling presence.
Here is the translated version of Aybüke Yılmaz’s interview, where she shares about her personal life.
Q: Which roles or scenes have been the most challenging for you so far? A: Portraying Ceylan in Kuma was the toughest. She comes from a highly complex family background and endures a number of losses. When she sobs and freezes, it felt like all those emotions passed through me—I truly channeled her pain.
Q: If you had to describe your current state of mind in one word, what would it be? A:Arayış (which means search or quest in Turkish). Lately, I’ve been exploring my deepest self.
Q: Have you discovered it? A: I’m still exploring… It’s endless.
Q: What led you to decide on acting as a career? A: It wasn’t a deliberate choice — I discovered it while trying to overcome my fear of the camera. I faced my phobia by starting to act.
Q: Who inspires your acting the most? A: Not any one actor or director — it’s more the flow of a scene, the life an actor breathes into a character through intuition rather than expression. That inspires me.
Q: Do you remember what made you laugh the most on set? A: Not the most recent, but definitely Emre’s fall during filming. I was singing a lullaby and he slid out of a sliding door and fell with a loud thud—it made me laugh uncontrollably, and that laugh went viral.
Q: Do you recall your first day on set? A: Yes, it was for a commercial. I was so nervous I couldn’t sleep. On set, after waiting for hours, the shoot was suddenly canceled and I had to go back without filming a single scene.
Q: Looking back, what would you tell that nervous girl on her first set? A: Don’t ever stop discovering yourself, stay brave always.
Q: Is there a character you wish you could have played? A: Absolutely — Harley Quinn. Her mix of madness, courage, brilliance… combined with my energy, that would be magical.
Q: What puts you in the right mood for a scene? A: It depends—sometimes music transports me, other times silence allows me to connect deeply with the character.
Q: Have you ever lost yourself in a character on stage? A: Yes, especially as Ceylan—when she sobs and freezes, I felt all those emotions flow out of me in that moment.
Q: Stage or screen—what do you prefer? A: Screen. Overcoming my camera fear gives it a special significance.
Q: If Hollywood asked you to recommend three actors you could co-star with, who would they be? A: Al Pacino — I’m a big fan. Then Bill Murray for his depth and understated brilliance. And Tom Cruise for his action energy and pushing boundaries.
Q: What’s still on your career bucket list? A: An action film. If I don’t do one, I’d still feel it’s unfinished business.
Q: As a young actress, what advice would you give yourself? A: Never stop igniting your inner light; remain open to discovery.
Host: “Ready for more personal questions?” A: “I’m ready.”
Q: Three traits that define you? A: Passion, intuition, and courage.
Q: What angers you the most? A: I don’t get angry easily, but I can’t stand false kindness — that insincere friendliness really bugs me.
Q: One emoji to sum yourself up? A: Fire—because I’m always there, always growing. That’s exactly me right now.
Q: If your life were made into a film, who should play you? A: Someone who gets my energy and spirit—not necessarily looks like me, but truly understands my vibe.
Q: Ever dreamt of playing a certain period or character? A: I’ve done that dream. Now I’d love to play a mafia woman—guns, conflicts, the underworld. That would be exciting.
Q: Do you have a daily habit that defines you? A: Every morning, in that half-awake moment, I talk with my inner voice. That internal conversation is my ritual.
Q: What speaks first—heart or mind? A: Heart always speaks first… but logic has the final say.
Q: What is love to you—trust, excitement, or something else? A: Love isn’t a state — but if I had to name something, it’s a blend: passion, harmony, peace.
Q: Any word you’d avoid using when describing love? A: Expectation — I’d never use that.
Q: Has a real-life romance ever inspired your acting? A: No — my onscreen stories have never mirrored my real experiences.
Q: What’s your greatest love? A: Acting. It’s the thing that continually nurtures me and keeps me grounded.
Q: Most unique obsession or quirk? A: If I’m unsure about something I’ve done, I either take a picture or say it aloud to confirm it. That’s a quirky habit of mine.
Q: Favorite food? A: I’m more into desserts, but I also love seafood.
Q: Best dish you cook? A: Everything! Especially lahmacun and rice, using my late grandmother’s recipes.
Q: Best physical feature? A: My eyes—they reflect my energy and mood. Least favorite? My facial muscles—they’re too expressive and sometimes exhausting.
Q: For you, natural beauty is…? A: Authenticity. Flaws make someone original and beautiful.
Q: Top three songs you’re listening to lately? A: Tarkan—smooth summer vibes; “Tükendim Ben” remix by Kenan Doğu; and all songs by The Civil Wars—romantic and sweet.
Q: From whom do you take advice the most? A: Myself. I trust my instincts—when faced with choices, I usually know the answer already.
Q: Final message to your fans? A: I love you all deeply. Feeling your love means the world to me. Sending you all big hugs.
