The X Factor judge Tulisa Contostavlos was petrified she was in for a rough time from the public after she replaced Cheryl Cole on the TV hit's panel.
The N-Dubz warbler was a surprise addition to the all-star line-up after Cheryl went off to join Simon Cowell on the American version of the show.
Simon has been honest about how he desperately offered the Fight For This Love superstar a multi-million pound contract to return to her seat on the series after he had to boot her off his U.S. adaptation, and many believed Tulisa's shot at primetime fame was dead in the water before it had even started.
But after Cheryl told Mr Nasty to take a hike, Tulisa took her seat alongside Kelly Rowland, Gary Barlow and Louis Walsh when the auditions began in the summer.
And she admits she was convinced she would be the country's number one villain for trying to step into Cheryl's high heels - until the Girls Aloud star put her at ease.
Tulisa said: "I could have become Britain's most hated woman by replacing her, but having her support made all the difference.
"She told me there was no bitterness and that I should go for it. That made me a lot more relaxed."
(WENN)