A sex and relationships expert has addressed I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! star Tulisa's celibacy claims after she opened up about how long it had been since she'd had sex.
Earlier this week (19 November), the 36-year-old N-Dubz singer candidly opened up about her love life explaining to her fellow campmates that she identifies as 'demisexual' - a sexual orientation where sexual attraction only occurs after a close emotional bond has been formed.
Admitting she was 'proper guarded' when it came to dating, Tulisa also revealed it had been three years since she'd slept with someone.
"I feel like I’m demisexual, I need to have a really close emotional bond with someone," she shared. "I need actual depth. I’m a slow, slow burner. I’ve been celibate for over three years."
During the chat, fellow campmate Dean McCullough asked Tulisa some more about her celibacy.
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"I’m not an overly sexualised person," the 36-year-old 'Playing with Fire' singer explained. "For me, it’s all about the connection and the emotions that I feel with someone and then wanting to express them in that way."
Tulisa also added that it makes her feel 'physically sick' to imagine sleeping with or dating someone she doesn’t have a connection with, adding: "This is my temple, you cannot enter!"
Now, many people were intrigued what the actual difference is between celibacy and abstinence and an expert has since shared his insights to help clear up the confusion.
The difference between celibacy and abstinence
Relationship expert, James Preece, author at HeraHaven.ai, told Tyla that the 'main difference' between the two terms is that abstinence can often be a short-term thing, but celibacy can be a permanent lifestyle choice.
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He explained: "For those choosing abstinence, they could be choosing to remove sex from their life to focus on other things.
"This could be their health, mindset or anything that needs to be free of other distractions.
"Or for others, it's for medical or religious reasons. Whatever it is, it's usually just until they have achieved their goal - such as finding the right partner, getting fit or achieving a major life goal."
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James highlighted that celibacy is a 'more serious decision', adding: "These people simply choose not to have sex and are happier or more grounded without it.
"In Tulisa's case, she has chosen this in order to connect more with herself and to help her heal. She says that she needs a deeper connection with someone in order to find them sexually attractive.
"If she ever does, then that would be much more meaningful and intimate. I would expect this comes from having disappointing experiences in the past."
The expert also noted the importance of remembering that sex 'isn't an essential part of life for many people'.
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"They value other aspects of life and relationships over this," James added. "You just need two people who are agree on this. Once you have a strong foundation, you may just want to take to the next level."
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Topics: ITV, Im A Celebrity, Reality TV, TV And Film, Celebrity, Tulisa, Sex and Relationships
Rhiannon Ingle