Judgement: The brutally honest memoir from N'Dubz star, Tulisa

by Tulisa Contostavlos

'This time they'd ****ed with the wrong person. Either way, I told myself, I would survive this horrific stage of my life and I was going to document it while I did and one day, when it was all over, I was going to show people what really happened. Who I really was. My truth. My story.'

THE TRIAL
THE GOSSIP
THE SCANDAL
THE LOVE STORY

Read Tulisa's real story for the first time in her own words...

More than a memoir, Judgement is a real-time chronicle of a life under siege. Written by Tulisa through a series of raw, unfiltered journals during the most turbulent year of her life, Tulisa captures, moment by moment, the downfall orchestrated by the notorious 'Fake Sheikh', Mazher Mahmood.

In 2013, Tulisa stood at the pinnacle of her career. Then, an elaborate sting operation saw her reputation publicly shredded and her future thrown into chaos, all captured for the front pages of The Sun.

Rather than crumble, Tulisa picked up her pen. Day after day, she wrote her truth as the courtroom battles raged, as the headlines screamed, and as the media and justice system closed in.

The result is Judgement: an unflinching, no-holds-barred account of survival, injustice, love, betrayal and ultimately, redemption. Judgement is her incredible story.

Genres: Audiobook, Memoir

Audible Audio

Published August 14, 2025

Reviews

[Rich ✧ ✭ ✧ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing against Tulisa - I wish her well - but this book gave the absolute minimum for me. The book touches on two subjects - The well-known set-up and its fallout which is about one third of the book; and the other two thirds is about a toxic on-off relationship she had with a guy. It really was unnecessarily drawn out and became so tedious to read. In the final chapter she sums up in just a few sentences some more court cases, a dependency on narcotics and sleeping pills and some other romances.

This could have been so much more. It doesn’t touch the sides in my opinion and had really hoped to get to know her much more, in a good light, and have aspects of her career, health issues for awareness etc. Not what I was hoping for.

[Lynn Butterfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Tulisa recounts the worst year of her life: the year she was completely set up by a journalist and faced life changing drugs charges.
This was a really real and honest memoir from Tulisa. Funny at times, heartbreaking at times, but honest throughout. I enjoyed listening to this as an audiobook - Tulisa’s narration was wonderful. I devoured it in a day.
Having followed Tulisa since her N-dubz days and constantly telling anyone who would listen to me that she didn’t actually commit this high crime and that she was actually set up, I welcomed this memoir. I feel this was probably a super important book for Tulisa to write, especially for therapeutic reasons.
Some of the Goodreads reviewers have clearly not read what this book is about before reading. It ISN’T an autobiography, it’s a memoir about a specific event. She already has an autobiography.

[Rach Jameson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of celebrity news tends to pass me by - I'm not particularly tuned into it. But I kept seeing little podcast snippets of Tulisa with different presenters appearing on my Instagram feed and I was intrigued by the story of the so-called "sting" she was subjected to about a decade ago.

The set up is indeed completely bonkers - how do journalists get away with this sort of thing? it's disgraceful. I feel for Tulisa, she clearly went through a lot and was treated very poorly.

Nevertheless, the book itself is not amazing. It's main focus isn't really the set up, it's the relationship she was in with the chap at the time she was going through it all. The bloke in question sounds like a complete twat to be honest. There's a lot of detailed conversation between the two of them which feels like it's in there just to bump up the word count - a bit boring and quite unnecessary.

[Letty Howarth · Rating 5 out of 5]

The minute I heard about Judgement, I knew I was going to get it. As a big Tulisa fan and also an avid book lover, it was a need more than a want. I pre-ordered the signed copy from WHSmith’s and couldn’t wait to read it. It was less about the gossip and more about getting to know Tulisa better through this book. Then I saw on her Instagram that she was recording the audiobook herself. I have listened to a couple of audiobooks, but I prefer to read a book. Still, I pre-ordered the audiobook because I knew it would be better hearing about Tulisa’s life from Tulisa herself, and I was right. I loved the audiobook.

The way Tulisa has written this is more like a story than an autobiography; you get to see what Tulisa was going through in regards to the trial, but you also get a look into Tulisa’s love life at the time. You get to learn another side of Tulisa, the side that gets nervous and anxious, and in this book, you see her vulnerability. I think even if you are not a huge Tulisa/N-Dubz fan like me that you would still enjoy reading this book. Even if you don’t know Tulisa, you would still enjoy this book, and you should definitely go and get it.

This book made me laugh, and it made me cry. The things Tulisa had to endure at this time are heartbreaking. Not only does the book talk about the trial and the darkness that brought it, she talks about love, not just love for the man she was with, but love for her friends and her family. I also realised when reading this that Tulisa is a human like me. I know that sounds stupid but she is more than the woman I idolise. There were many times while reading this book that I thought, omg, that’s how I feel, or girl same I run or I shut down and become cold. When I had my first breakdown, the only place I found comfort was in the bathroom. I would stand in the shower under the water for hours in the dark and it was the only peace I felt. So when Tulisa said that she goes to the bathroom when it gets too much, it hit me that she is my idol but she still feels things like I do. If that makes any sense lol, I know what I mean but I am struggling to put it in words.

Anyway, if you are still here, thank you for reading my word vomit 😂

[EL · Rating 5 out of 5]

It always feels wrong rating an autobiography because how can you rate someone 's life?! But this was deliciously good! I read it 9 hours with a couple breaks. What a story. I laughed in parts, I rolled my eyes in parts, I shouted nooooo in parts, I got emotional in parts. I seriously wish Tulisa all the best from here on out. I've always been a fan but respect is earned when you hear what someone has been through. Thank you for telling your story Tulisa ❤️

[Book Addict Mands]

Interesting read, can’t believe the court case went as far as it did to be honest. A detailed and honest book. No rating as I don’t think it’s right to rate someone true story

[Hannah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cheeessseee

[Deirdre · Rating 1 out of 5]

dnf @ chapter 15.
unfortunately reads like Tulisa actually wrote this and wasn't a ghost writer. she should have had a ghost writer. The writing is very juvenile and one dimensional. I can't read yet another chapter about pointless arguments with pointless men in her life. Don't bother picking this one up, massive let down.

[Carl · Rating 4 out of 5]

FAB! (Fag Ash Breath)


After being revealed live on X Factor a few years ago by Gary Barlow that she has "fag ash breath" she started to take real positive action by revealing her nicotine patches on the shows that followed.

Well that can't have lasted long because the amount of cigarettes that she smokes in this novel certainly isn't keeping her fag ash breath at bay!

Maybe that was Gary Barlow hiding in the bush ready to grab her fags!

I bought this because I was interested in her drug sting story after hearing her talk about it on an interview on ITV'S This Morning.

She said it read like a novel and it sure does but it's mostly about her relationship with Jacob which is so utterly irritating, the most childish relationship I've ever heard of!

I realise that Tulisa is most unlikeable and you'll dislike her even more after reading about her life here, but her boyfriend is even worse!

Without spoiling I'd say the fag ash breath episode is much worse than the events and their outcome are in this book.

However i found the book highly engaging and would recommend this to anyone who's into celebrity autobiographies whether you're a fan of hers or not.

Her finest moment was Young. Then sadly it was all downhill!

She just needs to stop smoking now then maybe do a duo with Gary Barlow.

[Sonni Chullan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this is an autobiography, it’s based mainly around the period of her drugs charge during the mid-2000s, and it was based on the Sun newspaper sting with one of the reporters. This reporter went undercover to try and get Tulisa to sell him drugs or arrange for someone to get the drugs to sell to him. But she had pointed out quite clearly that she doesn’t do drugs and she doesn’t know any drug dealers in that way to get hold of any. Anyway, long story short, it all came out in the newspapers, ruined her career, and now she’s awaiting trial by jury to see if she’s actually innocent or guilty of being a drug dealer. Anyone who knows Tulisa would know that the only drugs she does are tobacco and alcohol.

Like I said, it’s based around the waiting period for her trial date, and she’s going out with a young man called Jacob (his name was obviously changed for the book). The relationship was quite intense and obviously had its ups and downs, because they were very much alike, and that made the relationship hard at times, but they felt very deeply for each other. So, the book is basically a love story between them during the time of the court hearing, and it’s not actually a bad love story. It is quite intense in places, and I did enjoy reading it. You learn a lot about her and the way she is with other people, how she would go to the end of the earth for the ones she loves, and her feelings regarding herself. She is quite an emotional person, as outlined in the beginning of this book, where she tried to commit suicide but failed when her friend found her in time.

It is very sad the way she has been treated by the national media, and they also don’t seem to understand or care that they are dealing with human beings, people who have feelings. You do have to wonder if these journalists were put in the same positions as the people they write about, would they do the things that they do just to get a story and a ‘byline’? And just in case you don’t know what a ‘byline’ is, it is when an article is written, you have a title, and then it will show that the story is written ‘by’ and then the name of the author. She is a very good writer, although there are a lot of curse words in there, and if you’re sensitive to the F-word, then you will not be able to get through the book. It does show her intelligence and how smart she is in her writing. However, to find out how her relationship goes with Jacob, you have to read the book to find out, as it is quite a rollercoaster ride.

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

🎧AUDIOBOOK REVIEW🎧

As a huge Ndubz fan in my younger years, there was no doubt that I would be picking this new release up as soon as it became available to me. I listened to this within 24 hours and found this utterly absorbing!

I always knew that Tulisa was a powerhouse, the female boss of my youth, from what had been played out in the media, but this new book highlights exactly how incredibly strong, brave and talented she really is.

This audiobook is read by none other than Tulisa herself, adding depth and layers to her story. Played out in dual styles, part memoir and part novel, this is an interesting and eye opening look, behind closed doors, into who Tulisa is, how she handled one of the most difficult times of her life and career and her identity as of today. She is brutally honest about her own personal struggles and this can only be viewed as courageous and inspirational.

As a reader, I truly hope Tulisa continues to write. She talks candidly about her love for books and her passion to write, and I am intrigued to see what else she creates. Although this release is based on her own story, and didn’t end as I expected, her perspective in the prologue made everything make sense and one that I found incredibly relatable!

This is highly recommended and a well deserving five star read, in any format. This hits deeper than a usual celebrity memoir and I am very much looking forward to reading more books written by Tulisa.

[Shelby Murrell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading is such a subjective experience, so rating a book based on someone’s real-life experiences always feels a bit strange. That said, Judgement didn’t quite live up to what I was expecting.

I went into it hoping for a deeper look into the infamous sting operation Tulisa was a victim of — the behind-the-scenes details, her perspective, and how it all unfolded. Instead, the book focuses more on a detailed snapshot of a toxic relationship that carried her through that period of her life. While it’s honest and raw, it wasn’t quite the insight I was hoping for.

I’ve always been a fan of Tulisa’s solo music and have a lot of respect for her. She’s clearly intelligent and self-aware — I especially loved hearing her on I’m a Celeb explaining that she wrote the book knowing that, even if she’d gone to prison, its release would still generate income. Genius move, honestly.

Not quite what I expected, but still an interesting read from someone who’s been through so much and come out the other side.

[Nessa’s Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

So you may be surprised, but yes I do read some non fiction from time to time! As soon as I saw that this was available... I needed it.

This was a raw, powerful, and eye opening memoir. Written in real time through Tulisa’s journals, it doesn’t feel polished or sugar coated.....it feels honest, messy, and painfully human.

I remember the headlines, the gossip, the scandal that surrounded her, but what this book does is strip all that noise away and give us Tulisa’s truth. Her voice is unapologetically direct; angry, vulnerable, funny, and heartbreaking all at once.

You can really feel the weight of the injustice she went through and the strength it took to keep going when it seemed like the world was tearing her down.

For me This isn’t just a celebrity memoir..it’s a story about survival, resilience, and refusing to be silenced! A tough but necessary read if you’ve ever been curious about what really went on behind the headlines.

[Doncaster Book Club · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tulisa: Judgment is a raw and engaging read that feels very different from the confident, outspoken woman I remember as an entertaining judge on The X Factor. Watching her on the show, she came across as bold, funny, and unafraid to speak her mind, so it’s striking to see the vulnerability and self-reflection behind that public persona in this book.

The memoir doesn’t shy away from difficult moments, and while some parts feel emotionally heavy, they also help explain the pressure and scrutiny she faced at the height of her fame. Tulisa’s voice is honest and conversational, making the book feel personal rather than polished for image’s sake.

It loses a star for pacing in places, but overall it’s an insightful look at the realities behind celebrity life. If you enjoyed Tulisa on The X Factor and are curious about the woman beyond the judging panel, this book is well worth reading.

[Steph Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

🎧
I have just finished reading Judgement. After being a huge N’Dubz fan since my teen years, I knew I had to read about the incredibly challenging period that Tulisa had to go through. Whilst I don’t want to say I ‘enjoyed’ this book as it doesn’t sound right to say considering the battles Tulisa faced, I really enjoyed understanding her perspective and her positive take on such a difficult time of her life.
I genuinely loved her writing style, and would love to see more from her in the future in whatever format that may be. I was engrossed from the get-go and throughout the book I felt emotion, shock, laughter, anger, every emotion was portrayed and had me fully immersed.
A truly fascinating and inspiring read 📚✨

[Vicki Duncan · Rating 3 out of 5]

For those interested in the sting that almost landed Luisa in prison, this one’s for you! I audiobooked this which I found engaging but I found the back and forth with her and her beau at the time Jacob, a bit boring (but I guess it formed part of the story so I understand why she included it). He seemed like a massive red flag to me but oh well.

The story of the sting is incredible and well worth listening past the Jacob stuff to get to it. It’s terrible what Tulisa was put through and I’m glad she’s found some peace from it all now.

[Georgina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was great. It’s not an autobiography in the typical sense where it follows a persons life from start to present, it is solely focused on the year of the trial so if you’re looking for info on NDubz etc you only get brief updates. However it was incredibly empowering to read Tulisa’s story and it felt very authentic.

There were a few typos here and there but nothing the prevented reading.

Would highly recommend for fans of Tulisa and those interested in the court case/ justice system

[Megan Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

🎧
I did give this a 3 star rating on Audible purely because of how Tulisa read it but overall I wanted so much more from this book. Her relationship at the time is the main subject and it just felt too cringe for me, I felt like I was listening to a teenager recount her love life! I do love you though Tulisa and would be interested to read another book that isn’t centred around immature men 💗

[mrsbookburnee Niamh Burnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this to be one of the more enjoyable celebrity memoirs, I enjoyed most of N-dubz music first time around and found Tulisha endearing in both X-factor and I’m a celeb.

I really liked her honesty throughout, especially around the set up, such a scary situation!! But this book really shows her strength of character in her more vulnerable moments.

[Rachael Locker · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was looking forward to reading this book but it was a bit of a let down. I understand that this book is about what happened to her when she was involved in the set up regarding the drugs but it became very “ poor me “ very early on and I quickly became bored. I didn’t even finish the book. It might be someone’s cup of tea but it just wasn’t mine.

[Lu McLane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this an engaging read and finished it quite quickly. Only covers the last few years,including her court battle, but think she did an earlier autobiography that covers that. Overall it was interesting and I wanted to read on - can’t get better than that for a book!

[Audrey Rooney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read.

[Charlotte Simms · Rating 4 out of 5]

I couldn’t put this book down! I was gripped from the get go, appreciated all the raw honesty and knowing Tulisa’s truth from her own words. Such a beautiful story & would highly recommend!

[Reah · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Coz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

tulisa went through so much in this book and it was so interesting to read and see how she navigated this difficult time. from her trial to her relationships, it was an interesting read

[Louise · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's very sad what happened to her but the writing is awful!

[Chloe Henney · Rating 3 out of 5]

listen via audiobook if you can