He collaborated with her old band N-Dubz on hit song 'Number One' so it's fair to say that Tinchy Stryder knows Tulisa pretty well.
Tinchy has said that Tulisa is being herself on ther X Factor panel
Talking exclusively to omg! today at the launch of his new headphones at PC World, Tinchy admitted that the Tulisa we see on the X Factor is the same person as his good friend.
He told us: "She's not fronting or pretending, what you see is what you get. She's keeping it real."
"Of course people have opinions. They may like her or not like her but you have to respect her for keeping it 100% her."
[Related story: Tulisa tweets bikini photo, looks hot!]
Tinchy also praised the singer, who currently appearing on her second series of the show, for her ability to settle into the panel so effortlessly.
He explained: "When I was watching it I was like 'it feels like she's been part of it for years'."
"It's Tulisa who I know that I'm watching. I haven't seen any changes. She's not trying to be anyone else, she's just being her."
Tinchy and Tulisa collaborated on aptly named number single, 'Number One'. [Copyright Wenn]
Talking about the X Factor, Tinchy admitted that he was a big fan of the show but had only recently been able to catch up on the series recently due to tour commitments.
He said: "I was watching it last night, I've been on tour so I haven't really had the time but I watched some last night and there are a few interesting people on there."
"Obliviously there are some who I'm like 'why did you even bother' but there are some who have something special."
We then asked Tinchy who is ideal collaboration would be to which he immediately responded with Kanye West.
Tinchy explained: "I respect him as a producer, as a writer and as an artist, I really respect what he does and I like his girlfriend."
We bet you do Tinchy, we bet you do.
Tinchy's new single 'Help Me' is available for download on September 30.