Rumoured I'm A Celebrity star Tulisa's life from real name to X Factor stint

by · Wales Online

Tulisa Contostavlos, the singer and former X Factor judge, is rumoured to be joining this year's I'm A Celebrity line-up.

The star, whose real name is Tula Paulinea, has been a prominent figure in the music industry since 2005, starting her career with chart-topping band N-Dubz before embarking on a solo journey.

As she could be one of the celebrities joining the jungle this year, let's take a look at Tulisa's journey from N-Dubz to X Factor...

N-Dubz

N-Dubz was formed by Tulisa, her cousin Dappy, and friend Fazer. They released four albums between 2008 and 2023, achieving four top ten singles in the UK charts, winning four MOBO awards and two 02 Silver Clef Awards.

Their three albums, Uncle B (2008), Against All Odds (2009) and Love. Live.Life (2010), have achieved platinum status, while their latest album, Timeless (2023), reached number one on the iTunes Albums Chart.

After an 11-year break, the band reunited in May 2022, releasing a new single called Charmer and embarking on a sold-out UK arena tour later that year.

Tulisa shot to fame in N-Dubz with Dappy and Fazer(Image: Jed Cullen/Dave Benett/Getty Ima)

The X Factor

In 2011, Tulisa became the youngest judge ever on The X Factor panel for the show's eighth series. During her first season, she mentored Little Mix, who went on to win the competition and are now considered the most successful girl group in the show's history, reports the Liverpool Echo.

She made a comeback for the ninth series the following year and despite her girls' category being eliminated early in the competition, one of her acts, Ella Henderson, secured a record deal and has enjoyed a successful music career since the show concluded.

Tulisa was succeeded by Sharon Osbourne the next year, but she returned as Louis Walsh's guest judge for the judges houses stage in Bermuda in 2013.

She was a judge on The X Factor back in 2011(Image: PA Archive/PA Images)

Health Struggle

The singer recently shared details about her 12-year health struggle that left her in severe pain and self-conscious about her looks.

She was diagnosed with Bell's palsy in 2020 and despite steroid treatment, her face continued to swell and become inflamed.

After an ultrasound scan, a doctor discovered three chronically infected cysts in her cheek, one of which burst during surgery.

The TV star will now have to undergo surgery to remove the remaining two cysts, which she says will take place in the coming two months.

I'm A Celebrity starts Sunday 17 November at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX.