The Rise and Fall of ‘The Fake Sheikh’: Tulisa Speaks Out on I’m A Celeb

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Tulisa on I'm A Celeb
Image Credits: ITV
N-Dubz singer Tulisa Contostavlos opened up on I’m A Celebrity about her harrowing experience with Mazher Mahmood, the notorious journalist known as ‘The Fake Sheikh.’

Tulisa’s Ordeal: From Stardom to Scandal

In 2013, Tulisa was arrested on suspicion of supplying cocaine, following a sting operation led by Mahmood. Posing as a movie producer, Mahmood lured Tulisa with promises of a £3.5 million film deal. She recounted on the show: “They flew me to Las Vegas, first-class flights, limos, 5-star hotels. I thought it was my big break.”

However, the dream turned into a nightmare. Mahmood persistently asked Tulisa for drugs, and after months of pressure, she provided a contact. That led to an £800 cocaine deal, landing Tulisa in court and facing a potential four-year prison sentence.

The case crumbled when it emerged Mahmood had tampered with evidence. His driver’s statement had been altered to strengthen the prosecution. This revelation not only freed Tulisa but also shattered Mahmood’s career.

Once a celebrated investigative journalist, Mahmood’s tactics—posing as a Sheikh to entrap celebrities—became infamous. His past stings, including a fabricated kidnapping plot involving Victoria Beckham, faced scrutiny. After Tulisa’s trial collapsed, Mahmood was convicted of perverting the course of justice and sentenced to 18 months in prison.

Now disgraced, Mahmood’s career serves as a cautionary tale of the dangers of unethical journalism. Tulisa’s brave recounting highlights the personal cost of his schemes and the resilience needed to overcome public trials.