A look back at Tulisa’s most iconic X Factor moments, from landmark win to ‘fag ash breath’

Tulisa might currently be in the I’m a Celeb jungle, but true Brits know and love the time she spent as the youngest judge ever on The X Factor.

Just a few months after leaving the legendary hip-hop trio N-Dubz, which included Dappy and Fazer, Tulisa Contostavlos made history as the youngest ever X Factor judge, a title she still holds to this day. The two years she spent in the chair sparked countless notable moments, scathing fights, and declarations of love from her supporters. Let’s take a look.

Tulisa won her first X Factor with Little Mix

Hot off her success in N-Dubz, a 23-year-old Tulisa replaced Cheryl on The X Factor judges panel alongside Louis Walsh, Kelly Rowland, and Gary Barlow. Three of her five acts were soon axed from the competition, but little did we know that Tulisa’s saving grace, Little Mix, would go on to be one of the most successful X Factor bands in history and the only one to win the competition.

Without Tulisa’s keen mentoring and keener ear, the UK wouldn’t have toe-tapping tracks like Shout Out to My Ex, Wings, Black Magic, and Sweet Melody.

Though Tulisa’s winning streak came to a screeching halt the following season, two of her acts, Lucy Spraggan and Ella Henderson, went on to get their own record deals.

Her tattoo became a star and was referenced in I’m a Celeb

There’s quite literally nothing more iconic than Tulisa’s the female boss tattoo pic.twitter.com/uuBIkmaW3r

— Elliott (@Ratatwinkie) October 12, 2023

Tattoos are incredibly personal, and yet, most of the United Kingdom can recite exactly what Tulisa’s iconic arm tattoo says. The words “The Female Boss” are permanently branded in our brains.

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The tattoo itself was subject to some criticism back in the day after Tulisa struck the pose that would soon become her signature. Because she had a perfume of the same name, critics argued she was trying to sell it to unsuspecting X Factor viewers.

Nonetheless, the tattoo is a solid part of British pop culture, so much so that when she struck the same pose in I’m a Celeb, people lost their minds on Twitter.

“Death, taxes and Tulisa showing off her ‘The Female Boss’ tattoo at any given opportunity (love it),” one person wrote, as another said, “Tulisa flashing her Female Boss tattoo for her title card… I’m hooked already #ImACeleb.”

Gary Barlow’s rude comment is still quoted to this day

it’s been 9 years since Gary Barlow annihilated Tulisa live on The X Factor pic.twitter.com/8qBQqoa0pK

— bradley (@BradleyXO_) October 27, 2021

Though not strictly a Tulisa moment, you can’t talk about her without referencing the moment Gary Barlow called out her hygiene or lack thereof.

During the live shows, moments after Christopher Maloney’s performance, Tulisa turned to Gary and questioned “How many of these 80s classics are you going to let him keep destroying, honestly.”

“Tulisa, I don’t know what’s offended me more, what you just said or your fag ash breath,” Gary replied, waving his hand around to diffuse the scent as the nation collectively clutched their pearls.

George Gerasimou was a two-time X Factor nuisance

The best part of X Factor was undoubtedly the auditions where deluded Brits would take to the stage and butcher some of the world’s most legendary songs. Rachel Lester, Debbie Stevens, and “holistic vocal coach” Ariel jump to mind, but few came back for another attempt like George Gerasimou.

During George’s second attempt, in which he came back as a solo act, Tulisa instantly recognised him as the man who “threw his mic down and told Simon [Cowell] to shut up” in the season before. After his comeback performance, which was equally as bad, George proved that he hadn’t grown up as much as he thought.

When the judges cut the music a clearly frustrated George questioned why, got in Tulisa’s face, and was forcibly removed from behind the judge’s table.

“Can I just say I don’t think your attitude has changed at all,” she said. “You came and stood right next to me there and I felt a lot of aggression off of you. You’re very angry.”

“It’s not a good vibe,” were the last words Tulisa said to him and the start of what would become a regularly used gif on Twitter.

Tulisa wasn’t afraid to shed a tear on X Factor

Though Tulisa’s hot head landed her in trouble from time to time, she also wasn’t afraid to show her vulnerable side during her X Factor tenure.

A particularly tearful moment came in 2011 when mum-of-four Michelle Barrett gave her rendition of Whitney Houston’s All the Man That I Need. Not only was the performance itself tear-inducing, but Tulisa felt a personal connection to Michelle who reminded her of her mum.

Tulisa was brought to tears, so much so that Kelly Rowland was forced to comfort her in the touching moment. She said Michelle’s song was “brilliant” and that it reminded her of her own mother singing in the kitchen. It’s been over a decade and I’m still sobbing.

She was never afraid to tussle with industry giants

Tulisa was just 23 when she joined the other judges, all of which had been established in the music industry for decades. Nonetheless, she never shied away from sharing her opinion and pushing back against her fellow judges.

From telling Louis that his only eye for talent was “five Irish guys”, a reference to Boyzone, to standing up for Rylan against Gary, Tulisa proved time and time again that London girls are just built differently.

Featured image credit: YouTube/X Factor & Instagram/Tulisa

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