'X Factor' judge Tulisa Contostavlos: 'I'd like success without the fame'

Tulisa Contostavlos has said that she would like to be successful in her career, without having the fame that comes with it.

The X Factor judge rose to fame as a member of Against All Odds group N-Dubz. Speaking to Company magazine, Contostavlos hit back at critics who claim she is not a good role model.

"People forget the girls that look up to me come from the same background," she said. "I'm their role model because I'm the only celebrity that doesn't lie about the fact she swears, gets into arguments, or was naughty when she was younger; just because I swear occasionally doesn't make me a bad person. It makes me human.

"What is a chav? Supposedly someone from a council estate with a cockney accent. That doesn't make you a bad person. I haven't got a problem with myself or the way I talk."

The 23-year-old said that she will continue to defend herself: "I've been put down a lot in my life and that can either make you depressed, upset and introverted or you don't care anymore. I've had the worst things said to me; wh*re, chav... My problem is I'll defend myself and say something naughty back on Twitter."


Tulisa in her two roles; performing with N-Dubz and with the X Factor judges

On reaching the point where she is "spoken about all day long", Contostavlos said: "When I was 10 I wanted to be a popstar but it's more about becoming successful because I'm ambitious.

"Fame has its perks. I go to nightclubs, get free Champagne and maybe a free car for a year. But to be papped and spoken about all day long? That's not what I'm in it for. If I could have success without fame, I would."

The full interview with Tulisa Contostavlos features in the October issue of Company magazine, on sale September 10.

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