Tulisa is so proud of her role model status, she's convinced she is an inspiration for "Broken Britain".
The singer shot to fame with N-Dubz but found herself thrust into the spotlight last year when she joined the judging panel of The X Factor.
Tulisa's outspoken attitude has attracted criticism, but the star insists her behaviour can help inspire others - and has no plans to change.
She tells Look magazine, "People say, 'Oh my God, you're a role model now - you have to inspire young people'.
"Why am I a role model? Because I've been myself. People are underestimating the kids of today - they're not stupid.
"I'm not an inspiration for upper-class kids whose parents don't want them listening to an Eminem album. I'm an inspiration for Broken Britain."
The singer has been given a glamorous make-over for the shoot to accompany the interview, but Tulisa confesses she is happier with her usual casual look.
She adds, "I like to dress up, look glam and do shoots like this. I'm always going to be a hood chick. I like street clothes. I'm comfortable in my skin, it just p**ses me off that other people won't accept it.
"You can see from the curves that I'm not working out - it's just jelly! I swear on my mum's life, I've never done a day's exercise."
Read the full interview in this week's Look magazine, on sale now.
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