TV presenter and personality Rylan Clark has said “it’s time to know the truth” in an emotional message to fellow X Factor star Tulisa Contostavlos. Rylan, 36, became a household name back in 2012 after competing on the ninth season of the former ITV singing competition.
That year Rylan was mentored by Pussycat Dolls singer Nicole Scherzinger and was in the boys category with James Arthur, who won the series. At the time, Simon Cowell continued to focus on the US version of the show and the judging line-up was Louis Walsh, Gary Barlow and Tulisa.
Having risen to fame as part of the hip-hop trio N-Dubz, the series marked Tulia’s second year on the judging panel, the MEN reports. The year prior in 2011, Tulisa mentored girl band Little Mix, who were the first group to win the hit show.
Tulisa, who scored a UK number one with her single Young, made her TV comeback last year when she competed on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here. Releasing her new book Judgement: Love, Trials, and Tribulations this week, Tulisa opens up about having a sex tape leaked and being wrongly accused of being a drug dealer in her book.
The candid novel sees Tulia reveal that she attempted suicide after being at the centre of a case that was thrown out of court in 2014. But now, friend and fellow X Factor alumni Rylan has shared an emotional message on his friendship with Tulisa
Taking to Instagram on Friday (August 15), Rylan praised Tulisa for her honesty, with the pair being friends ever since they were on The X Factor together. Sharing a picture of them together on a sofa, Rylan wrote: “Never been prouder @tulisacontostavlos.
“From 2012 to now we’ve been through a lot and I’m so proud we stayed by each others side. Now it’s time for everyone to know your truth.
“We’ve never publicised it, we’ve just been there for each other. I’m so happy your words will now be heard by everyone. Tulisa’s book Judgement is out now x #Day1.”
Tulisa replied to the post: “Love you will all my heart you beautiful earth angel.”
The comments section of Rylan’s post saw a number of his and Tulisa’s fans commending their friendship and wishing them both well.
@melissahuckins said: “Well done you for standing by this lovely lady and she is one. Go girl. Rylan you rock. We could all do with you as our bud.” @matia_tou_okeanou added: “Best of luck tulisssa I hope this is the beginning of everything aligning for you lovely.”
@nicki0803 wrote: “Such a strong resilient beautiful powerful woman. What a gorgeous friendship, I’m glad she has good people around her.” @juliekirk237 posted: “Love this everyone needs a Rylan in their corner as well as a Tulisa too.”
@jennymb_1980 commented: “Listened to tulisa on ferns podcast and loved her take on her life and how she picked herself up, she’s a strong one@maxinek9 noted: “The most lovely man ever don’t ever change rylan.”