Tulisa: I Was Set Up by the Media, Here’s the Truth!

Begin Again with Davina McCall

FlightStory

Society & Culture, Mental Health, Self-improvement, Health & Fitness, Education

4.6 • 972 Ratings

🗓️ 21 August 2025

⏱️ 70 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In this episode of Begin Again, Tulisa Contostavlos, N-Dubz star, solo artist, and the youngest judge in X Factor history, shares the untold truth behind her rise, fall, and rebuilding. From chart-topping success to a leaked tape, depression, and the 2012 drug sting that nearly destroyed her career, Tulisa opens up about betrayal, media pressure, and the darkest years of her life. She speaks candidly about how those experiences pushed her to the edge, and how she found strength, purpose, and spirituality to rebuild. With her new book Judgement, Tulisa reflects on resilience, survival, and why no matter how far you fall, you can begin again. 💬 Comment below: What part of Tulisa’s story resonates with you most? 👉 Follow us on Instagram: @beginagain 🎥 Watch more on TikTok: @beginagainpod Tulisa's Book: "Judgement": https://geni.us/judgementtulisa (00:00) Intro (01:07) Tulisa: Early Life and Introduction(02:56) Tulisa’s New Book “Judgement” Explained(03:45) Musical Roots and the Rise of N-Dubz(04:59) Growing Up Fast: Life Lessons from a Young Age(08:06) Alternative Families: Uncle B and the Misfit Household(11:45) N-Dubz Blow Up: Storytelling and Staying Authentic(13:41) Becoming an X Factor Judge at Age 22(18:55) From Stardom to Homelessness: Tulisa’s Fall(22:17) Leaked Tape Scandal and Public Backlash(24:58) Depression, Media Attacks, and Mental Health Struggles(30:19) Inside the Sting Operation That Targeted Tulisa(32:46) Writing “Judgement”: Tulisa’s Process and Purpose(34:49) The Drug Sting: What Really Happened(46:14) Isolation, Betrayal, and Loss of Trust(49:11) The Breaking Story, Suicide Attempt, and Meeting ‘Jacob’(55:54) Tulisa’s Spiritual Awakening and Purpose-Driven Life(1:06:26) Finding Gratitude and Healing – Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Life gets messy and when it all falls apart, you've got to try and just find your way through it.
0:06.2	It's a big worldwide company.
0:08.2	We have a Hollywood producer that's interested in you for a role.
0:11.7	There's three million quids out there for you, but I find out it's a set up.
0:15.8	I have just had the most extraordinary conversation with Talisa from Endubs.
0:22.3	She has shared with me exactly what happened in the sting operation that devastated,
0:28.2	decimated her entire world.
0:30.8	We talked about facing a future that you didn't choose, finding a way to rebuild it.
0:36.5	Even when it feels like there really is no light
0:39.5	the end of the tunnel. If you want something in this life, you must go out and get it.
0:44.3	She talks about how she grafted her way to the top from the age of just 11.
0:49.3	I felt like there was a point where just every kid in the country knew who he was, love us or hate us.
0:54.4	And even won over Simon Cowell.
0:56.5	I loved this conversation.
0:57.7	It was a really good reminder that hitting rock bottom doesn't mean the end.
1:01.5	Sometimes it's just the beginning of something even better.
1:05.8	So, Talisa, I like you because we can call you by one name.
1:11.6	Like, Talisa, everybody knows who that is.
1:14.4	I mean, I don't know if you've tried to ever pronounce my second name, but...
1:17.5	I have.
1:18.1	That's why I'm just calling you Talisa, but Talisa is recognisable enough.
1:21.7	Yeah.
	...

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