Tulisa was praised by I’m A Celebrity viewers for revealing she is demisexual in a ‘refreshing’ insight into her love life on Tuesday night.
The N-Dubz star, 36, said she’s been celibate for over three years and is ‘not an overly sexualised person’.
Fans wrote: ‘Actually love Tulisa for talking about being demisexual’ and ‘Tulisa saying she’s Demisexual. I feel so seen’, while others recognised how they hadn’t heard a celebrity talk about it before.
‘Tulisa openly talking about being demisexual on I’m a celeb tonight was so refreshing! literally never seen it being talked about on mainstream media before!!!’
What is demisexuality?
Tulisa was praised by I’m A Celebrity viewers for revealing she is demisexual in a ‘refreshing’ insight into her love life on Tuesday night
The N-Dubz star, 36, said she’s been celibate for over three years and is ‘not an overly sexualised person’
The term describes a person who needs to form a strong emotional attachment with someone before they can even begin to embark on a physical relationship with them.
The emerging ‘label’ first came to light nearly a decade ago and has gathered momentum as more people say they can relate to it.
Many of those who say they identify with demisexuality say the idea of hooking-up with someone on a first date or in a nightclub leaves them recoiling.
Although the term is often closely associated with asexuality, those who feel demisexuality applies to them say they have strong sexual urges, but struggle to express physical intimacy with another without really getting to know them.
According to an article on asexuality.org, a demisexual is a person who does not experience sexual attraction unless they form a strong emotional connection with someone.
What did Tulisa say about it on I’m A Celebrity?
Tulisa admitted the thought of being with someone makes her feel ‘physically sick’ as she discussed her love life with her campmates
During Tuesday’s show, Tulisa admitted the thought of being with someone makes her feel ‘physically sick’ as she discussed her love life with her campmates.
Tulisa shared with her campmates that she has no interest in dating anyone, admitting ‘I’m proper guarded’.
As the talk in camp turned to relationships, Dean McCullough said: ‘I actually do enjoy being single, I enjoy being on my own.’
As Alan Halsall admitted he’d ‘never been on dating apps before’, Dean turned to Tulisa and joked: ‘We’ve done them all, haven’t we babes.’
Tulisa said: ‘No I’ve only done Raya [celebrity dating app]. I’m not really a dater, even though I’ve been on there, I’ve never gone on an actual date with anyone on there… I’m proper guarded.’
She added: ‘I feel like I’m demisexual, I need to have a really close emotional bond with someone.’
Dean said: ‘You need meaning babe.’
‘I need actual depth. I’m a slow, slow burner, I’ve been celibate for over three years’, Tulisa revealed.
‘I’m not an overly sexualised person. For me, it’s all about the connection and the emotions that I feel with someone and then wanting to express them in that way.’
Explaining the thought of sleeping with someone or going out and meeting someone ‘genuinely makes me feel physically sick’, she joked: ‘This is my temple, you cannot enter!’
Alan quipped: ‘It sounds like a Bushtucker Trial where you’ve got to find a key to Tulisa’s temple.’
Fans wrote: ‘Actually love Tulisa for talking about being demisexual’ and ‘Tulisa saying she’s Demisexual. I feel so seen’
Sex tape trauma
In the peak of her fame, Tulisa endured a very high-profile court case after her ex boyfriend Justin Edwards who she had broken up with in 2009 – released a sex tape of her in 2012
Tulisa previously told how she felt ‘judged, disgusting and ashamed’ because of the ordeal and said it has taken her ‘many years’ to come to terms with and get over
In the peak of her fame, Tulisa endured a very high-profile court case after her ex boyfriend Justin Edwards who she had broken up with in 2009 – released a sex tape of her in 2012.
She previously told how she felt ‘judged, disgusting and ashamed’ because of the ordeal and said it has taken her ‘many years’ to come to terms with and get over.
Speaking to Olivia Attwood on her So Wrong It’s Right podcast, Tulisa discussed how much of a toll the leaked sex tape has had on her life.
She said: ‘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.’
She added: ‘It’s affected my relationships to this day and intimacy.’
What is Tulisa’s relationship history?
Tulisa dated her N-Dubz bandmate Richard Rawson, also known as Fazer, from 2010 until 2012 and they have remained close friends (pictured last year)
Tulisa was also previously linked to The Wanted star Max George (pictured)
The former X Factor judge has had a number of high profile relationships in the past including Cher’s music producer David King, multi-millionaire playboy Costas Panayiotou and former The Wanted star Max George.
Tulisa dated her N-Dubz bandmate Richard Rawson, also known as Fazer, from 2010 until 2012 and they have remained close friends.
I’M A CELEBRITY 2024: MEET THE ALL STAR LINE UP
OTI MABUSE
Oti Mabuse has already two Strictly glitterballs under her belt
AGE: 34
OCCUPATION: Professional dancer
FAMOUS FOR: Oti is best known for being a professional dancer on the British television series Strictly Come Dancing, which she won in 2019 and 2020.
DANNY JONES
Danny Jones is one of the bookies’ favourites to win this year’s I’m A Celeb
AGE: 38
OCCUPATION: McFly singer
FAMOUS FOR: Danny is one of the lead vocalists and the lead guitarist for pop-rock band McFly.
He is also a coach on The Voice UK.
BARRY MCGUIGAN
Former boxer Barry McGuigan is heading into the jungle
AGE: 63
OCCUPATION: Retired professional boxer
FAMOUS FOR: Barry was nicknamed The Clones Cyclone and held the WBA and lineal featherweight titles from 1985 to 1986.
GK BARRY
GK Barry is a TikTok star who recently joined the ITV family on Loose Women
AGE: 25
OCCUPATION: TikTok star
FAMOUS FOR: Grace is known for her comedic commentary on culture, lifestyle, and fashion. She has over 3.6 million followers and recently joined the Loose Women panel.
DEAN MCCULLOUGH
ITV bosses are hoping Dean McCullough will ruffle feathers in the camp
AGE: 32
OCCUPATION: Radio 1 DJ
FAMOUS FOR: Radio 1 DJ Dean has been signed by I’m A Celeb bosses, in the hope that he will ruffle feathers with his outspoken views.
Earlier this year it was announced Dean would be taking over the BBC Radio 1 Early Breakfast Show, after previously fronting the afternoon slot.
JANE MOORE
Jane is best known as a panellist and anchor of Loose Women
AGE: 62
OCCUPATION: Journalist
FAMOUS FOR: Jane is best known as a panellist and anchor of Loose Women between 1999 and 2002.
She returned as a regular panellist from 2013 onwards.
Jane takes on the challenge following her high-profile split from husband of 20 years, Showbiz agent, Gary Farrow.
MELVIN ODOOM
Melvin was previously courted by I’m A Celeb bosses back in 2021
AGE: 44
OCCUPATION: DJ and TV presenter
FAMOUS FOR: His work on radio. Melvin was previously courted by I’m A Celeb bosses back in 2021, but turned down the offer at the last minute.
He also had a primetime stint on Strictly back in 2016.
COLEEN ROONEY
Reports claim that she has been offered the biggest deal in the show’s history
AGE: 38
OCCUPATION: WAG
FAMOUS FOR: Wagatha Christie case against arch rival Rebekah Vardy.
Reports claim that she has been offered the biggest deal in the show’s history, exceeding Nigel Farage’s £1.5million from last year.
ALAN HALSALL
Alan Halsall is best known for his role as Tyrone Dobbs on Coronation Street
AGE: 42
OCCUPATION: Actor
FAMOUS FOR: Coronation Street actor Alan Halsall was forced to withdraw from I’m A Celeb last year, after undergoing ACL Reconstruction surgery.
Bosses have now convinced the actor to sign up again, and no doubt he will draw in a huge fanbase thanks to his long-running role as Tyrone Dobbs on the soap.
TULISA
Tulisa is making her career comeback after reuniting with N-Dubz last year
AGE: 36
OCCUPATION: Singer and former X Factor judge
FAMOUS FOR: Tulisa reunited with N-Dubz last year for a tour after first finding fame with the band in 2007.
In 2011, she became a judge on The X Factor and went on to launch her debut solo album, The Female Boss.
She released her fourth album with N-Dubz last year.