What is the Ayşe Barım incident and how did it start?

The Ayşe Barım incident has multiple facets. The first of these involves allegations of monopolization in the sector. The Competition Authority has launched an investigation into 21 companies following these allegations regarding management companies and casting agencies.

One of the names who brought the issue to the media was TV100 columnist Fuat Uğur. Fuat Uğur published an article on the subject on September 26, 2024. However, this article did not attract attention at the time.

However, in the first days of 2025, a portion of Fuat Uğur's article was shared on Twitter: "There are a few names that hold this sector in their hands and stand out. The most powerful among them is that businesswoman who markets untalented and incompetent girls in the guise of actors like a MAMA. For instance, she is powerful enough to get the third season of a series that is watched by almost zero people made for digital platforms. She is also the one who extorted 5 million dollars from a businessman lover of a gay singer by portraying one of these girls as if she were in a relationship with the singer (to save face)."

Since no names were mentioned, discussions began regarding who was being referred to in the article. As engagement increased through comments and other accounts shared the piece, Fuat Uğur's article became a trending topic about 4 months later.

When the names most mentioned in the comments were Ayşe Barım and Serenay Sarıkaya, ID İletişim released a statement.

Hazal Kaya, one of the actors at ID İletişim, also shared a message of support. However, the article and its tone, particularly the emphasis on Ayşe Barım being a woman, backfired. There was an increase in anti-Ayşe Barım rhetoric.

One of the clearest reactions regarding monopolization came from actor Deniz Işın. Deniz Işın wrote, "She personally tried to hinder my work and blocked the path of many talented female actors I know."

One of the most notable reactions came from Farah Zeynep Abdullah. Farah Zeynep Abdullah tweeted, "All women are equal. Some are more equal than others."

Following these discussions, comments were made one after another. One of these comments belongs to Necmi Yapıcı: "It has become very difficult to find a place for ourselves. These same actors are used in series, feature films, digital platforms, commercials, and even in commercial voice-overs. These actors finish one series and start another a week later. Thousands of actors just watch them from afar."

While various comments were made regarding monopolization, another aspect of the allegations was that "PR relationships" were being lived for money. Serenay Sarıkaya gave a statement on this matter. After her statement, Serenay Sarıkaya had said, "I have reached this point with my own hard work; there is an effort to discredit me. The truth is very clear and obvious."

It was revealed that in her statement, Serenay Sarıkaya said, "We are in a romantic relationship with Mert Demir based on our mutual will," and answered "No" to the question, "Were you pressured or threatened by Ayşe Barım?"

Related news - Who are the Ayşe Barım actors? The list of celebrities affiliated with ID İletişim!