Tulisa Contostavlos wears drug sting headlines dress at NTAs
Singer appeared at the National Television Awards in London wearing a gown featuring headlines from a past drug scandal.
Incident → evidence → outcomeSinger Tulisa Contostavlos made a statement at the National Television Awards on Tuesday evening, arriving at London's O2 Arena in a black and white dress adorned with headlines from a past drug sting scandal. The gown featured phrases including 'drug dealer', 'arrested', 'facing prison', 'police raid', and 'homewrecker'.
These headlines referenced articles published following an investigation by The Sun On Sunday, which led to Contostavlos's arrest in 2013 on suspicion of supplying class A drugs. The prosecution's case collapsed in 2014 when the key witness, journalist Mazher Mahmood, was found guilty of tampering with evidence. Mahmood was subsequently jailed for 15 months in 2016.
Campaign for Press Regulation
Contostavlos, known for her music career with N-Dubz and her past role as an X Factor judge, has become a vocal advocate for independent press regulation. She has launched a petition calling for changes, which has gathered more than 35,600 signatures. Her 2025 memoir, Judgement, is set to detail her career highs and lows, including the experience of her collapsed drugs trial.
The singer attended the awards ceremony, which was broadcast live on ITV1 and ITVX. Other attendees included TV presenter Graham Norton and ITV This Morning co-presenters Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard.
Questions this report answers
01What was the significance of Tulisa Contostavlos's dress at the NTAs?
Tulisa Contostavlos wore a dress printed with headlines from a 2013 drug sting scandal that led to her arrest. The dress featured phrases like 'drug dealer' and 'arrested', referencing the media coverage of the event.
02What happened with the drug charges against Tulisa Contostavlos?
The charges of supplying class A drugs against Tulisa Contostavlos, brought after a 2013 sting operation, were dismissed in 2014. This followed the conviction of the prosecution witness, Mazher Mahmood, for tampering with evidence.
03What action has Tulisa Contostavlos taken regarding the press?
Following her experience, Tulisa Contostavlos has become an active campaigner for independent press regulation. She has launched a petition advocating for these changes, which has garnered over 35,600 signatures.
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