Tulisa revealed she felt ‘disgusted and embarrassed’ after her ex released the sex tape, likening it to ‘a virtual rape which affects their relationship to this day’.

Singer Tulisa Contostavlos has told how her ex-girlfriend’s release of her sex tape felt like ‘virtual rape’.

The 36-year-old star, who was then a judge on X Factor, said it took him ‘many years’ to accept and get over the situation.

Her ex-boyfriend Justin Edwards, whom she broke up with in 2009, released a sex tape in 2012 at the height of her fame.

The N-Dubz singer had been one of the judges on the popular ITV show but returned to the new series feeling ‘judged, disgusted and embarrassed’.

He said of the impact this had on his return to X Factor: ‘There are no words to describe it, to be honest.

Singer Tulisa Contostavlos tells how her ex-girlfriend’s release of her sex tape felt like ‘virtual rape’

‘It was like a virtual rape, that’s the only way I can describe the feeling. It was so scary. I felt so judged, I felt disgusting, I felt ashamed.

‘I felt terrible, there are no words to describe it. It took me many years to come to terms with this. Now for me all pain is growth.

‘So I had to feel every single part of my experiences and without them I wouldn’t be the person I am today.

‘So I don’t regret anything, it’s my path. I had to experience this and I did.’

Of the remainder of her time on the programme, she said: ‘By the end of the second year I was devastated, I wasn’t going to do the show again.

‘I hated it, I hated it every day. As I said, this took me years, I didn’t even know how long it would take me to process it.

‘This has affected my relationships to this day, my intimacy and all that kind of stuff; My life is changing in a very, very big way.’

Revenge porn wasn’t illegal at the time, which meant he only managed to get an apology from the court.

The singer’s ex-boyfriend Justin Edwards, from whom she split in 2009, released a sex tape in 2012 at the height of her fame (the picture was taken in 2012)

The singer took legal action against her ex after he released her sex tape in 2012, at the height of her fame. He finally settled down after agreeing to apologize

Tulisa admitted that this difficult period affected her relationships ‘to this day’ and ‘hugely changed her life’

Tulisa admitted that the ordeal affected her relationships “to this day” and “hugely changed her life.”

Olivia Attwood’s speech It’s So Wrong This Is True He said of the disruptions following the launch of the podcast: ‘I was aware of it.

‘In series one, I was told my ex had a tape and it was coming out.

‘So I was living in constant fear and I went to one of the producers and said ‘apparently my ex has this tape and is going to release it’. I don’t know what to do.

‘And he said, “We’ll just have to take it as it comes.”‘

Justin released it between his first and second series as a panel judge on the ITV talent show.

Tulisa said she was told that her ex-boyfriend had been given a house after she released the tape.

On whether it had any effect on him, he continued: ‘No.

‘I mean, I sued him, but I think it’s gotten to the point where he’s like, ‘I’m not spending this money.’

I was like, ‘Because I had money to spend at the time, and I’m going to keep suing your ass.’ And eventually he wrote an apology.”

He said Justin denied releasing it and tried to claim complicity in the making of the tape.

‘He tried to say it was either me or I was involved – something crazy like that.’ he said.

‘So he admitted that it was actually him, that’s all. But there were no side effects.’

When he won the high court in 2012, revenge porn was not a criminal offense.

In a similar case, Stephen Bear was sentenced to 21 months in prison last March for sharing a sex tape without his former partner Georgia Harrison’s permission.

However, the revenge porn law only came into effect in 2014, meaning it was too late for Justin to be prosecuted for this matter.

On the illegality of sharing obscene images, Tulisa said: ‘It is now. It wasn’t like that then, it’s a mental state.’

Tulisa settled her lawsuit against Justin in 2012 after Justin admitted that he was responsible for publishing the sex tape that was posted online and agreed to apologize.

‘It was like a virtual rape, that’s the only way I can describe the feeling. It was so scary. “I felt so judged, I felt disgusting, I felt ashamed,” she said.

The star told waiting photographers that she was excited that ‘the truth will come out’ with the release of the candid images.

And in his statement he added: ‘Justin got involved with the wrong woman this time.’

He added: ‘I’m relieved this is finally over. It’s been a very difficult few months and it’s not a situation I wanted to go through.

‘Justin Edwards’ actions were to spite me, make money and ruin my career. He was not successful in any of these.

‘I stand here today a stronger, wiser young woman who has had this experience and learned from it.’

He continued: ‘I am disgusted with Justin and upset by people who believe I posted the images. Today the truth prevailed. After months of lying publicly and in court, Justin has finally admitted his guilt and I hope justice is served.’

He also gave a special message to his fans who supported him in his fight with his ex.

Tulisa added: ‘Now I want to draw a line under this and put it in the past. I also want to thank my fans with all my heart for being with me. I am especially grateful for all the support I have received from the public, my friends, my family and my team.

‘With this support and determination, I won this war. This time Justin got involved with the wrong woman.’