In 1998, at the age of 17, Akın was selected Elite Model of Turkey; she then participated in the Europe Elite Model competition in Nice, France, where she reached the final 15.
Pada tahun 1998, di usia 17 tahun, Akın dipilih oleh Elite Model Turki; ia kemudian berpartisipasi dalam kompetisi Elite Model Eropa di Nice, Prancis, di mana ia berhasil masuk dalam final 15.