I Need You: A look back through Tulisa’s relationship history

She might have only recently rejoined the world of showbusiness on ITV’s I’m A Celeb, but having had her big break at such a young age, Tulisa has a relationship history dating back to 2008.

The UK is falling in love with Tulisa all over again as she battles the likes of GK Barry and Danny Jones on this year’s I’m A Celeb. Already, fans have been treated to the reason behind her transformation, her iconic tattoo, and her dropping beans all over the camp floor. But what of Tulisa’s relationship history?

1. MC Ultra was a dark time in Tulisa’s dating history

In the earliest days of Tulisa’s career, when N-Dubz was hitting the charts, she dated Justin Edwards, professionally known as MC Ultra. The two split in 2010, but the relationship would come back to haunt her in 2012 as a sex tape they recorded leaked online.

The tape leaked at the same time as Tulisa was appearing on The X Factor, something she later described as her “year from hell.”

“It felt like my world was ending,” Tulisa revealed on the So Right It’s Wrong podcast. “It was like a form of virtual rape. The shame, the judgment—it was unbearable.”

Though Justin initially claimed he was a victim too, even going as far as to say the video was Tulisa’s suggestion, he eventually admitted to releasing the tape. The trial became one of the most notable revenge porn proceedings of that time, resulting in an apology from Justin to Tulisa.

2. Is Tulisa’s relationship with Fazer ever really over?

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Getting into a relationship with a person in your musical group should be a red flag. Still, Fazer and Tulisa obviously didn’t get that memo as they engaged in a relationship from 2010 to 2012.

Having all grown up in the same area, Tulisa, Dappy, and Fazer all went to the same school. Fazer was said to have a crush on Tulisa but did not initially pursue it because she was Dappy’s cousin.

Tulisa and Fazer broke up in February 2012 and by January 2013, model Ashley Emma revealed she was six months pregnant with his baby. The two reportedly attempted their romance a few times over the years, but with little success.

3. Tulisa’s three months with Jack O’Connell helped her massively

After the trauma of the revenge porn scandal, Tulisa found comfort in ex-Skins actor Jack O’Connell. They only dated for a mere three months, but Tulisa wouldn’t have gotten through that time without him.

“As soon as I saw him, everything started to feel better, easier. For the next three weeks he never left my side. And as time went on I started to feel stronger,” she penned in her memoir.

4. She had a brief fling with The Dream in 2012

In 2012, Tulisa had a brief relationship, if you can call it that, with record producer The Dream, real name Terius Youngdell Nash. He flew her out to Miami, Florida, to record what he called “bangers”, but that sun-filled holiday also included drives in his Ferrari, a spot of lunch, and the obligatory trip to King of Diamonds lap-dancing club.

5. Tulisa broke up with Danny Simpson over shoes

Amidst the sham drug bust she was eventually acquitted of, Tulisa dated former English footballer Danny Simpson. The relationship was allegedly rife with confrontation, which inevitably led to Tulisa dropping him.

One notable argument came when Tulisa shoved £1,000 Christian Louboutin shoes into a Tesco carrier bag, with Danny questioning “What bird does that?”

“He was a fan. He was obsessed for six years. He had a massive crush on me. Finally he found somebody who knew me,” she told The Sun. “He wasn’t a celebrity until he met me. He was a famous footballer but not a celebrity. As soon as he got with me, he became a celebrity footballer.”

6. Costas Panayiotou was a millionaire playboy

In 2014, Tulisa upped her taste as she engaged in a relationship with millionaire playboy Costas Panayiotou when they bonded over their mutual “Greek-Cypriot background.” After a few dates, they called it quits.

“I was seeing someone but we’re not together now,” Tulisa told the Daily Mirror. “I’m not looking for love. Right now I’m not thinking to the future, I’m just married to the music. “I do sometimes get a lot of attention from guys but I’m just enjoying doing my own thing. I’m 26 and I’m loving life.”

7. Tulisa could have been related to Cher

Tulisa’s most recent relationship, at least publicly, was with Cher’s music producer nephew David King from 2017 to 2018. Their romance began as all great music ones do, in the recording studio. Soon enough, Tulisa was pictured in the States as she stayed with David in Cher’s Malibu home.

It’s not immediately clear why Tulisa and David split, but as of 2023, she is a single pringle and ready to mingle according to sources. We could have new additions to Tulisa’s relationship history soon enough.

“Tulisa would love a rumble in the jungle,” a source told Closer recently. “She’s a die-hard romantic, and the tough exterior is just a front after she’s built up a resistance to a lifetime of let-downs.”

Featured Image credit: Tulisa/Instagram

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