More people are coming out as demisexual, and this is what the identity means.
As previously reported, singer Tulisa Contostavlos sparked a national conversation after opening up about her own identity while appearing on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! in 2024.
The 37-year-old former X Factor judge told her campmates in the Australian jungle that she identifies as demisexual and has been celibate for more than three years.
She explained that she only feels sexual attraction when she forms a deep emotional connection with someone. “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,” she shared, according to BBC News.
Describing herself as “not an overly sexualised person,” she added, “I need actual depth… I’m a slow, slow burner.”
The revelation has struck a chord with many viewers, prompting increased interest in what it actually means to be demisexual.
What Is Demisexuality?
Demisexuality is a sexual orientation describing people who only experience sexual attraction after forming a close emotional bond with someone.
That connection is often rooted in personality and trust rather than initial physical factors like appearance, scent, or voice.
Unlike immediate physical attraction, which is common in other orientations, demisexuals normally don’t feel drawn to strangers or casual encounters.
The term sits on the asexual spectrum and highlights how varied human attraction can be.
Tulisa's Confession: Dating Isn't Easy
The 'Young' musician, who first shot to fame as part of N-Dubz in the 2000s, also revealed that, despite having a profile on the exclusive celebrity dating app Raya, she actively avoids dating itself.
“Genuinely makes me feel physically sick,” she admitted.
Beyond demisexuality: new microlabels gaining traction
Tulisa’s revelation comes at a time when an increasing number of people are finding clarity and comfort in more specific terms that describe their unique experiences of attraction.
Coined in November 2023 by a Tumblr user known as genderstarbucks, almondsexuality refers to individuals primarily attracted to male-aligned and androgynous-aligned genders, with a lesser attraction to female-aligned genders.
This label is part of a group of “microlabels” under the multisexual umbrella, which includes bisexuality, pansexuality, and omnisexuality.
These microlabels allow people to define their attraction more precisely, often helping them feel more seen and understood.
Other related terms include “berrisual” (attraction to feminine and androgynous genders) and “almondromantic,” which is the romantic counterpart to almondsexuality.