The A-list army behind Tulisa’s comeback
The singer has relaunched her music career – and it’s all thanks to her celeb inner circle
❛ ON HER DARKER DAYS SHE’S REALLY APPRECIATED THEIR HUMOUR ❜
She’s been largely relegated to the showbiz wilderness for the past six years, but last week it was revealed Tulisa Contostavlos is set to make a comeback after landing a record deal, which will see her release four new tracks this year.
The singer, 30 – who rose to fame with group N-dubz – suffered a fall from grace in 2013 when she was arrested on suspicion of supplying class A drugs following a tabloid sting.
The case was later thrown out by the judge and the journalist involved was convicted of conspiring to pervert the course of justice after tampering with evidence. But Tulisa’s reputation took another hit in 2015, when she was ordered to pay £3,000 after she was convicted of assaulting TOWIE star Vas Morgan. A year later, she received a 15-month driving ban after admitting drink- driving when she crashed her Ferrari.
Now pals reveal that after a spell out of the spotlight, Tulisa is reginiting her career – masterminded by a close-knit band of A-list pals, including Simon Cowell, Cheryl, Louis Walsh and Rylan Clark-neal, who have been key players in her return to the spotlight.
SIMON’S HELP
A source says, “Throughout everything, it’s Tulisa’s trusted celeb friends who have kept her going. Simon took her under his wing, and more recently has put her in touch with producers and songwriters. Meanwhile, she has a Whatsapp group with Louis and Rylan, who are friends from her time as an X Factor judge, and all they do is share jokes, but on the darker days she’s really appreciated their humour.”
Closer has previously reported how, after setting up a new life in LA, Tulisa struck up a close friendship with Simon’s partner Lauren Silverman, who’s rumoured to be behind the singer’s new pared-back image.
MASTER OF SECRETS
The source adds, “Having this close support network has been crucial. Louis put Tulisa in touch with his PR contacts, who have been micro-managing her return. While Cheryl, who she knows through the X Factor scene, is good with the emotional support, sending texts and recommending yoga and meditation haunts.”
Last week, Rylan told Closer how he, Louis and Tulisa enjoy regular catch-ups, revealing, “Louis is the master of secrets. He’s so naughty! And then throw Tulisa in the mix and we’re all f***d!.” And Tulisa herself revealed how Cheryl, 35, was there for her when she was the victim of a sex tape scandal in 2012, saying, “I’ve been in touch with Cheryl. I actually had a really nice text from her after my ‘hoo-hah’ a couple of weeks ago, offering her support.”
The pal says, “Simon’s always been a fan of Tulisa and has been the main one encouraging her into the studio. She says she’s ready to show everyone she’s well and truly back.”