Türkiye’s casting agencies targeted: Serenay Sarikaya, Berguzar Korel furious over corruption claims

The Turkish Competition Authority has initiated an investigation into alleged violations of competition law by casting agencies and managers in Türkiye‘s art scene. Numerous claims about managers and prominent actresses, including Serenay Sarıkaya, have stirred a buzz on social media.

While many prominent actors and actresses reacted harshly to the new investigations, others expressed relief, claiming that a few managers and casting agencies control Türkiye’s movie industry and threaten to exclude artists from the sector if they don’t comply with their demands.

While many artists claim to be victims of a cartel in Türkiye’s art scene, “friends” of prominent figures like manager Ayse Balim and actress Serenay Sarikaya responded to the accusations. Actress Hazal Kaya stated, “You can’t make women pay just because they are talented, beautiful, and live their lives as they wish.”

21 agencies accused of creating ‘cartel’

According to an announcement on the authority’s official website, the preliminary inquiry into claims against the Casting Agencies Association and affiliated parties has concluded.

The authority deemed the information, documents and findings obtained during the inquiry to be significant and sufficient, prompting an official investigation into 21 enterprises operating in this sector.

After the investigation news broke, well-known Turkish actor Umit Erdim said, “I said the same things six years ago. They told me I was speaking like this because I couldn’t find work after losing a lot of weight.”

Similarly, Farah Zeynep Abdullah hinted that more details would emerge from the new investigation and expressed her support for its success on social media.

Serenay Sarikaya, Ayse Barim targeted

Ayse Barim, founder of ID Communication, a prominent agency representing many of Türkiye’s leading stars, has been accused of hindering the rise of talent outside her roster while exclusively promoting individuals of her choosing.

Furthermore, it is claimed that the agency imposed conditions requiring the inclusion of additional actors from its roster when producers requested a specific actor for a project.

The controversy deepened with accusations that Barim allegedly accepted $5 million from a businessman in a scheme involving a prominent gay male artist.

The payment was purportedly used to fabricate a story suggesting the artist was romantically involved with a famous female actress. Reports speculated that the individuals at the center of the claims are Serenay Sarikaya and Mert Demir.

Statement from ID Communication

Following the uproar, ID Communication issued a firm statement denying the allegations. The agency declared: “Our company has been a pioneer in the talent management industry since 2002, providing world-class management services to Türkiye’s most beloved and respected actors.

In the past two days, our co-founder Ayse Baiım and actress Serenay Sarikaya have been associated with baseless and immoral claims. We are saddened to see these unfounded accusations resurface. Legal action has been initiated against those spreading these falsehoods.”

Sarikaya also shared the company’s statement on her social media platforms, aligning with the agency’s denial of the accusations. ID Communication reaffirmed its commitment to upholding its reputation in the industry while condemning the spread of defamatory claims.

Reactions to claims targeting Ayse Barim

The allegations against Ayse Barim and Serenay Sarikaya have sparked significant controversy, placing ID Communication at the center of public scrutiny. While the agency and Sarikaya strongly refute the claims, the matter is now subject to legal proceedings, leaving questions about the truth behind the accusations unresolved.

Hazal Kaya, a prominent star in Türkiye and a friend of Serenay Sarikaya, said the following over the claims: ”You cannot make such enormous accusations against anyone with baseless, groundless, and unsubstantiated claims like ‘That’s what we heard’ or ‘We already knew.’ Just because you’re uncomfortable with a woman who draws her strength from her intellect, ideas, and most importantly, her vision, you cannot try to stab her in the back like this.

You cannot engage in a race to punish women just because they are successful, beautiful, talented, and living life the way they want. Moreover, I am talking about success measured by tangible achievements. Whether you like her or not is up to you, but you cannot change the facts. Besides, isn’t it striking that this effort to demean, devalue and discredit is only directed at women?”

Bergüzar Korel called for women’s solidarity in response to recent claims. However, Farah Zeynep Abdullah responded by saying, “Some women are more equal than others.”

Despite an ongoing investigation by the Türkiye Competition Authority into allegations of cartel formation within the country’s art scene, it remains unclear whether authorities will probe the claims against Ayse Barim of ID Communication and Serenay Sarikaya.