Tulisa Contostavlos has opened up about the impact a leaked sex tape had on her personal life and how it influenced her understanding of her sexuality.
The former N-Dubz star, 36, recently shared on I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! that she is demisexual - a term used to describe someone who only feels sexually attracted to people they share a strong emotional bond with.
Reflecting on the fallout from a 2012 sex tape leak, Tulisa revealed to The Guardian that it had long-lasting effects on her intimacy and relationships.
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"I feel so much shame surrounding it that my relationship to sex doesn't feel the same," she admitted.
While her lawyers acted swiftly to have the tape removed, the damage was already done. The betrayal left her struggling with trust and intimacy, reinforcing her demisexual tendencies.
“I’ve kind of always been that way,” she explained. “But me being that kind of person, and then having the experiences I’ve had, has put me so far back into my shell.
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"I only deal with people I already know. A new person coming in doesn’t have a chance.”
For Tulisa, dating has been an uphill battle.
She confessed to 'recycling ex-boyfriends' for the past decade and admitted she's been celibate for three years.
Her approach to relationships now revolves around deeper connections rather than physical attraction.
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“I just ask myself: ‘Would I keep this person in my life, even as a friend, for the rest of time?’ If I don’t have that feeling, I wouldn’t want them as a lover," she said.
The sex tape leak was one of many challenges Tulisa faced as a young woman navigating a life of fame.
Rising to prominence in 2008 with N-Dubz, Tulisa quickly became a household name, going on to judge The X Factor and winning over audiences with her charm and relatability. But the spotlight came with intense scrutiny, from tabloid scandals to legal battles.
The infamous tape, posted online by an ex-boyfriend, was a particular low point.
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“It’s had the most long-term effects,” she said, noting how it amplified her distrust of new people. “I feel like it’s taken years for me to process.”
Despite everything, Tulisa remains hopeful about the future.
“I feel like the universe is good. I don’t think it’s going to leave me an isolated and alone individual for the rest of my life. What’s meant for me won’t pass me by," she confirmed.
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In recent years, she's found solace in reconnecting with her N-Dubz roots and pursuing creative projects.
Tulisa, was eliminated from I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! after 17 days in the jungle.
Admitting that it was a 'tough' experience, she said: "I just think you’re going to be more grateful for everything…just makes you very appreciative for life, you don’t realise how good you’ve got it.
"I can’t believe what I just did."
Topics: Im A Celebrity, X Factor, Mental Health
Sara Keenan