Tulisa Contostavlos says sex tape violation felt like 'virtual rape'
Former X Factor judge Tulisa has opened up on the 'life changing' effects of her ex-boyfriend releasing a sex tape of her, as the act of 'revenge porn' was not yet illegal when it happened
Singer Tulisa Contostavlos has recalled the trauma she faced when an ex-boyfriend violated her by releasing intimate footage of her with her consent.
The N-Dubz legend, who is rumoured to be part of the I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! 2024 line-up, has candidly opened about the time her ex-boyfriend Justin Edwards released a sex tape of her in 2012 - describing the violation as feeling like "virtual rape".
When Edwards released the tape at the height of Tulisa's fame - three years after The X Factor judge ended things with him - the act of sharing intimate pictures or videos of someone either on or offline without their consent, to cause embarrassment and distress, was not yet illegal.
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Tulisa was the victim of what many refer to as 'revenge porn' but the term had not yet been coined back in 2012 and the singer was left feeling "judged, disgusting and ashamed" in the wake of the footage circulating on social media.
Speaking in a new interview, the MOBO award-winning artist revealed it has taken her many years to come to terms with what happened to her and recalled how it impacted her return to filming The X Factor. "Honestly, there's no words to describe," Tulisa said of filming the ITV talent show in the wake of Edwards releasing the video.
She went on to state: "It felt like virtual rape, that's the only way I can describe the emotion. It was just horrific. I felt so, just, judged and I felt disgusting, I felt ashamed. It just felt horrible, there's no word to describe. It's taken me many, many years to come to terms with it. Now, for me, all pain is growth. So, every single part of my experiences I was meant to feel and I wouldn't be the person I am today without them. So there is no regret on anything, that is my path. I was meant to live it and I have."
Tulisa, who mentored X Factor winners Little Mix during her two years on The Factor, continued: "I just became miserable by the end of that second year, I wasn't going to do the show again. I just hated it, I hated it every day. Like I said, it's taken me years, I didn't even know how long I would need to process it. It's affected my relationships to this day and intimacy and all those kinds of things - it's life changing in a big, big way."
Speaking to Olivia Attwood on the So Wrong It's Right podcast, Tulisa recalled how Edwards released the tape between her first and second season on The X Factor. Speaking to the Mirror in 2014, the singer shared how her debut season had been "a very happy time" for her but the release of the tape was when it " all went wrong for me mentally ".
"When the tape came out I felt like I had lost control again. This isn’t how I wanted to be portrayed as and afterwards going back out there, it was the thought of facing the audience, the crowd," she recalled two years on from the tape's unauthorised release. "Even though I was a judge I was being judged. More than anyone, more than the contestants. The judges get judged the most. So I just found it so hard to face people again."
Speaking in 2012, as the tape circulated on social media, Tulisa said: "I would just like to put it out there that this is the person Justin Edwards aka Ultra, who is my ex-boyfriend that has put it online and who is the other person in the tape. I am devastated, heartbroken and have been in bits for the last few days."
A law related to the unlawful sharing of explicit images only came into force in 2014, meaning Tulisa was unable to seek justice in 2012 and Edwards was unable to be prosecuted. The star did take civil action and eventually settled with Edwards after he admitted he had been behind the tape's release.
In a statement released after her legal win, Tulisa said: "I am relieved that this is finally over. It has been a very testing few months and this was not a case I ever wanted to go through. Justin Edwards's actions were to spite me, make money and ruin my career. He has succeeded in none of these things."
She continued: "I stand here today a stronger, wiser young woman who has taken this experience and learnt from it. I am disgusted by Justin and saddened by the people that believed I released the footage myself. Today the truth has prevailed. After months of lying to the public and lying in court, Justin has finally admitted to being guilty and I hope justice is served."
Tulisa also addressed her fans and thanked them for their support, adding: "I would now like to draw a line under this and put it in the past. I also would like to thank from the bottom of my heart the fans that stood by me. I'm especially grateful for all the support I have received from the public, my friends, family and team. With that support and my determination I have won this battle. This time, Justin messed with the wrong woman."
*If you've been the victim of sexual assault, you can access help and resources via the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre website or calling its 24-hour telephone helpline on 1800 77 8888.
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