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Honest: My Story So Far: The Official Autobiography
Tulisa Contostavlos is one of the most talented and high-profile recording artists working in the UK today. She has three platinum N-Dubz albums, four MOBO awards, a groundbreaking drama series, two documentaries, a MIND award and an X Factor judge's win under her belt. Not bad for a girl who's not yet twenty-five.
But this is not just a tale of glittering success. Tulisa grew up on a tough London estate and left school with no qualifications as she struggled to cope with deep-seated emotional problems while caring for her mother alone. She has seen first hand what drugs, alcohol, gang culture and violent relationships can do to young people, but she has come through it all to become the confident, inspiring artist she is today.
After taking her little muffins Little Mix to the winning spot of the X Factor at the end of 2011, and with her long-awaited solo album being released later this year, the future is bright for Tulisa. Told in her own words, this is her story.
But this is not just a tale of glittering success. Tulisa grew up on a tough London estate and left school with no qualifications as she struggled to cope with deep-seated emotional problems while caring for her mother alone. She has seen first hand what drugs, alcohol, gang culture and violent relationships can do to young people, but she has come through it all to become the confident, inspiring artist she is today.
After taking her little muffins Little Mix to the winning spot of the X Factor at the end of 2011, and with her long-awaited solo album being released later this year, the future is bright for Tulisa. Told in her own words, this is her story.
304 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2012
30 people are currently reading
318 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
January 7, 2013
Over the years, N-Dubz have been my secret guilty pleasure and since Tulisa joined X Factor, she grew on me. Therefore I wanted to read the book to find out more about her and to see which of the many stories in the press are actually true (turns out most of them).
I really enjoyed reading this book. I now have a lot more respect for Tulisa and think people should read this before they judge her.
I really enjoyed reading this book. I now have a lot more respect for Tulisa and think people should read this before they judge her.
October 10, 2012
I feel like this book should only be given four stars but I find it difficult to give autobiographies less than five stars. After all the author is telling you their life story and opening themselves up to you, you spend time reading about them from birth up to whatever point the book ends and that's why I find it hard to rate them low. Goodreads system is especially difficult in that four is 'really liked it' and five is 'it was amazing' and I am stuck in between those two descriptions but will give it five stars anyway.
The book is a short read, and had I had the time probably could have read it in one day. That's not to say the content isn't good, the book lives up to its title as it is very 'Honest', but Tulisa herself is known for her honesty and she doesn't hold back (much) in this book.
I, probably like a lot of people, knew about Tulisa but didn't really pay attention to her until her judging role on X Factor. As a massive Cheryl Cole fan I was very much of the opinion that nobody could replace her, especially not Tulisa. But how wrong I was, I fell in love with Tulisa from the very first episode of X Factor and rooted for her and Little Mix from the very first live show also. Unfortunately even she is not enough to make me watch X Factor this year but that's going off topic a bit.
A lot of the information in this book probably wouldn't be new to anyone who has followed Tulisa throughout her career or any big N-Dubz fans but for fans new to her, or anyone who just wants to read about it, it is a great read full of sad stories but also plenty of funny ones.
Unlike a lot of celebrity biographies this isn't written to cash in on her success. She certainly doesn't need the money and I feel this book was just a way for Tulisa to get her story out there. After all the BS she has to read about in the press it must be nice to put across your side, the truth, for your fans and also for the people that don't like her very much. Overall a fantastic read, if a little bit short.
The book is a short read, and had I had the time probably could have read it in one day. That's not to say the content isn't good, the book lives up to its title as it is very 'Honest', but Tulisa herself is known for her honesty and she doesn't hold back (much) in this book.
I, probably like a lot of people, knew about Tulisa but didn't really pay attention to her until her judging role on X Factor. As a massive Cheryl Cole fan I was very much of the opinion that nobody could replace her, especially not Tulisa. But how wrong I was, I fell in love with Tulisa from the very first episode of X Factor and rooted for her and Little Mix from the very first live show also. Unfortunately even she is not enough to make me watch X Factor this year but that's going off topic a bit.
A lot of the information in this book probably wouldn't be new to anyone who has followed Tulisa throughout her career or any big N-Dubz fans but for fans new to her, or anyone who just wants to read about it, it is a great read full of sad stories but also plenty of funny ones.
Unlike a lot of celebrity biographies this isn't written to cash in on her success. She certainly doesn't need the money and I feel this book was just a way for Tulisa to get her story out there. After all the BS she has to read about in the press it must be nice to put across your side, the truth, for your fans and also for the people that don't like her very much. Overall a fantastic read, if a little bit short.
January 6, 2013
This book was alright, think she was probably too young to write a book probably should of waited till she was 30, I found it quite boring how she went from one reationship to another and they all seemed the same. Would of been good to hear more information about her time with N-Dubz there wasn't really much of a story there.
March 8, 2013
I'm not really into auto-biographies but i did enjoy this book, got through it fast and i didn't get bored so I'm happy
January 5, 2013
Well it lived up to the title. Nice easy read to start the year
November 23, 2013
I'll admit, I'm not the greatest autobiography lover - and certainly not one of Tulisa's biggest fans - but when all of this scandal about her doing drugs, dealing them and the sex tape being released and I saw this on special offer at Waterstones, I thought 'Why not? It will give me an insight into the truth about everything that has happened (hence the name, Honest.)After reading about half of this book, I came to realize - Tulisa really isn't covering anything up at all, and yes, she had a terrible life growing up. It's very sad to hear about people who have so much stress in their lives when really, they should be enjoying life at 8 years old, not constantly worrying. I have a bit of sympathy for Tulisa as I can understand how she feels with some similar situations that I have encountered. This book isn't the best, but it's good enough, and it's Honest.
May 19, 2013
I wouldn't have read this book but it was given to me as a Christmas present. I generally only read biographies of someone I 'love' although I have always like Tulisa on X factor and in the N dubz days.
The book is exactly what it's called - honest. She doesn't seem to hold back any details even ones that put her in a bad light. I enjoyed reading about her relationship with her mum and the NDubz boys. It seems to focus a lot on past relationships which helps to explain her tough attitude that comes across on tv.
I think this book does her proud ! Allows people to see the 'real' her and empathise rather than view her as a 'chav' when she seems to be an intelligent lady.
The book is exactly what it's called - honest. She doesn't seem to hold back any details even ones that put her in a bad light. I enjoyed reading about her relationship with her mum and the NDubz boys. It seems to focus a lot on past relationships which helps to explain her tough attitude that comes across on tv.
I think this book does her proud ! Allows people to see the 'real' her and empathise rather than view her as a 'chav' when she seems to be an intelligent lady.
August 11, 2015
To be honest i was not too keen on tulisa when she had first come about in ndubz but now that i have read her autobiography my views of this young beautiful singer/mentor has completely changed. Everythinng that she had gone threw growing up with her mums illness and how ndubz had came round. Growing up in to a beautiful lady that has helped and surported lil mix on the xfactor as their mentor. But when it had come around about the sex tape etc was outrageous nobody should of gone through that at all im now becoming a fan of her more now and look at her in a different light and im glad rhat she had written this book
January 28, 2013
i really enjoy auto-biographies but i have to say i found this one a little boring. i only got half way throught it and i left it there. i dont usually leave books half finished but i just had to. i found myself skipping pages just waiting to find something intresting. i know that this is about her life so it cant be as intresting as fiction books all the way through.i have nothing against tulisa and i think shes a really strong and amazing person but im just not a fan of the book.
February 3, 2015
I finished Tulisa's great biography yesterday, it was just as it's title suggests "HONEST". It was unlike any biography I read before, it was like I was sitting down with a cup of tea listening to my friend tell me about their day (well really their life) it was funny, sad, gritty, surprising but most of all truthful. It was a great read and I look forward to future instalments as I hope there will be more:)
September 12, 2014
HONEST was its title, and honest it seemed to be. I like [what I know of] Tulisa, she seems straight and honest, and I feel the book was exactly that.
If I had one fault, it was where she put herself up for 'importance' at times and the 'big I am' I really don't like that much in someone's character, I'm not sure if she sees it that way, but I certainly read it that way.
Quite a nice read
If I had one fault, it was where she put herself up for 'importance' at times and the 'big I am' I really don't like that much in someone's character, I'm not sure if she sees it that way, but I certainly read it that way.
Quite a nice read
December 14, 2014
Tulisa is a singer from the UK and she isn't known well in the U.S. I honestly don't remember how I came across her, but I ended up really liking her attitude and her music. She's a person that is really open about everything and I truly respect her for that. This book was full of incredibly personal things that I would never expect her to include. This girl has some balls.
January 13, 2016
I'm not much of a Autobiography reader,In fact this was the second one I had read. but I nailed through this book,I honestly couldn't put I down. I knew I'd love this book as I've heard some stuff of how Tulisa grew up etc And she is very open and honest about her life. She talks about stuff we did know and what we didn't I don't have a bad word to say about it. Made me like her even more.x
January 20, 2014
I wanted to read this book because of the mental health themes. You do feel some sympathy/empathy for Tulisa when she a child... And you understand what made her the celebrity we see today. You wish that she could've taken a different life path.
Yeah.. Not much else to say.
Yeah.. Not much else to say.
March 3, 2014
I've always been a fan of Tulisa but this book made me respect and love her even more, it's an inspiring auto-biography about how she started from nothing and never gave up, every single chapter was amazing. I couldn't put the book down!
June 27, 2014
Great read , about the life of Tulisa, how hard it was growing up , the problems in her family , her mums struggles, all about Ndubz , and how she ended up solo, her relationships , the xfactor and that video !
March 28, 2015
This is such a amazing and fantastic book about an inspirational pop star or urban star i would throughly recommend anyone to read this book and would pose the challenge - can anyone not read it and fall in love more with tulisa or change opinion on her.
July 8, 2015
I really liked this book and thought it was incredible for her to tell her story so deep and publically. The book overall was beautiful and she is a amazing writer. I loved it and each chapter was captivating and made you want more.
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November 10, 2012i cant read the book, the page dont allow me to .
May 30, 2013
nothing special
Tulisa is really a bit young to be writing a life story.
on the upside, it seemed very honest.
Tulisa is really a bit young to be writing a life story.
on the upside, it seemed very honest.
December 8, 2013
I love this book, I love autobiography's I find it interesting how much you can find out about someone's life. TIP: (cheesy I know) don't judge a book by its cover
October 11, 2016
Very frank & interesting. Not at all what I expected from Tulisa. She is more down to earth than I expected.
May 19, 2023
And yes, I know I might be looking at the past through rose-tinted glasses, but it's still a nice thought. And it might happen. After all, there's still plenty of time - I'm still young."
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What else can I say aside from I love autobiographies? I do love autobiographies — raw, natural, pure, and honest.
Who would've thought that behind the success of Tulisa Controstavlos, holder of three platinum N-Dubz albums, four MOBO awards, a ground-breaking drama series, two documentaries, a MIND award, and an X Factor judge's win, is a miserable childhood and abusive relationships.
Reading her story and what she had to go through at a young age moved me. The book contains her sad and upsetting childhood and journey to the present, which will crush your heart while reading from the first to the last page.
I honestly do not know how to rate this book, but if you were to ask me if I would recommend you read this one? Yes. Through her story, you may see people's lives from different perspectives and help you understand them along the way.
-
What else can I say aside from I love autobiographies? I do love autobiographies — raw, natural, pure, and honest.
Who would've thought that behind the success of Tulisa Controstavlos, holder of three platinum N-Dubz albums, four MOBO awards, a ground-breaking drama series, two documentaries, a MIND award, and an X Factor judge's win, is a miserable childhood and abusive relationships.
Reading her story and what she had to go through at a young age moved me. The book contains her sad and upsetting childhood and journey to the present, which will crush your heart while reading from the first to the last page.
I honestly do not know how to rate this book, but if you were to ask me if I would recommend you read this one? Yes. Through her story, you may see people's lives from different perspectives and help you understand them along the way.
December 11, 2022
I sadly found this book a bit boring and a bit repetitive in some parts of it. I enjoyed founding out about Tulisa live but I think she was a bit young to write to this book. I also think the chapters would of been a lot better if they were named after the chapter there about as they all kinda ran over Into the different chapters and I found it some times hard to keep up with the book. I felt like we didn’t really get to see much of her childhood much just bits and pieces here and there. Overall I think it’s a ok read and am glad I have read it. Xxx
July 17, 2018
What I think I love the most about this biography is that there is no filter. She talks from the heart and doesn’t sugar coat anything.Even when Tulisa is in the wrong or has made a mistake there is no denial or bullshit.
May 27, 2019
Really is honest and eye opening
She experienced tough times but one thing that this book proves is that she didn't give up and came through the other side. Well worth a read 💜
She experienced tough times but one thing that this book proves is that she didn't give up and came through the other side. Well worth a read 💜
December 13, 2019
Really enjoyed this
I really enjoyed how open she is with everything that she went through,
It's funny, it's sad and I would like to read more
I really enjoyed how open she is with everything that she went through,
It's funny, it's sad and I would like to read more
October 3, 2016
Honest - That's a perfect title for this book.
I read this book in three days, I was hooked from the first page to the last. Tulisa wrote her autobiography with such maturity and honesty, her writing and the emotion behind it was so impressive. Documenting her life from her early childhood to her success with N-Dubz as a young woman, to her relationships, her career as an actress and a solo artist to becoming a judge on X Factor UK - Tulisa does not shy away from the hard truths of growing up in a rough area of London and the difficult relationships with her family and previous relationships, but what shone through was her strength and dedication of making something of herself.
Despite the controversy of some of the topics and situations, Tulisa wrote with a great deal of respect and integrity - I do enjoy her style of writing and I sincerely hope she finishes her debut novel "Sky" in the near future.
I read this book in three days, I was hooked from the first page to the last. Tulisa wrote her autobiography with such maturity and honesty, her writing and the emotion behind it was so impressive. Documenting her life from her early childhood to her success with N-Dubz as a young woman, to her relationships, her career as an actress and a solo artist to becoming a judge on X Factor UK - Tulisa does not shy away from the hard truths of growing up in a rough area of London and the difficult relationships with her family and previous relationships, but what shone through was her strength and dedication of making something of herself.
Despite the controversy of some of the topics and situations, Tulisa wrote with a great deal of respect and integrity - I do enjoy her style of writing and I sincerely hope she finishes her debut novel "Sky" in the near future.
October 3, 2015
Get what you expect really, I like Tulisa on the X-factor etc so gave her book a go, easy to read and quite funny in parts but generally just an 'ok' autobiography, not worth a read if you're not a fan.
February 27, 2013
I'm enjoying this book because it explains a lot about her life and its interesting.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews